Description of Historic Place

This building is three storey brick Commerical Venacular style building located at 193 Water Street, St. John's, NL. This building is part of the municipally designated block of buildings 187-205 Water Street and it is also located in the Water Street Federal Historic District. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

This building has been designated a Municipal Heritage Building for its aesthetic values.

193 Water Street is aesthetically valuable as an example of a turn of the 20th century mercantile/office building in downtown St. John’s. The first storey of this building was traditionally used for mercantile premises. The additional storeys were used as office space, usually for the business below or was rented out to others. The use of the building as a commercial building is evident through the traditional store front that features large plate glass windows with fascia board. Futhermore, the brick construction of 193 Water Street is typical for downtown St. John’s buildings built after the fire of 1892. This building, like all the other in this block, also feature some elements of classical revival such as pilasters and arched windows.

Source: City of St. John's Archives, unnumbered property file, St. John's - 193 Water Street

Character-Defining Elements

All elements that define the building's Commerical Venacular design, including:
-large plate glass windows with fascia board;
-size, shape, decoration and placement of windows;
-the second storey still has its original brick and stone facade;
-pilasters from second to third storeys;
-fascia board and mouldings decorating the first storey;
-size, dimensions and location of building; and
-corner pilasters extending just above the eaves line