Description of Historic Place

Close to the street at the central intersection of the town, the Government of Canada Building is a simple, square, two-storey, flat roof, granite structure. The main façade’s tripartite division is seen through its projecting pilasters at the centre bay and corner pier and is distinguished by its projecting single storey entranceway. The light red split-faced granite in random courses contrasts with the light grey split-faced granite base, pilasters, window sills, surrounds and arched and flat voussoirs and with the smooth-faced light granite used for the carved name stones and the entranceway details. The parapet uses dark grey granite, which accentuates the roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Government of Canada Building is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Government of Canada Building is an illustration of the federal building program to establish a government presence in small communities across Canada through the provision of post offices and federal buildings. It also represents the historical importance of the area’s granite industry to the development of the community through its use of local red granite in its construction. It is a rare example of a building constructed from local stone in the province and was produced at the tail end of the federal building programme.

Architectural Value
The Government of Canada building is a very good example of simplified classical design. The use of split-face granite cladding in two colours, with contrasting smooth granite at the entranceway, provides visual interest and accentuates the classically inspired design. The clarity and symmetry of the massing, roof profile, architectural design, exterior finish and materials characterize the Government of Canada Building.

Environmental Value
The Government of Canada Building sited close to the street at the central intersection of the town establishes the present character of the commercial area in a simple urban setting. The building acts as a central focal point for the town and is a significant landmark promoted as an important symbol of the historic granite industry in the region. It is considered by many to be the most important historic building in town. The building dominates the mix of adjacent commercial and residential buildings. The adjacent plaza and war memorial reinforce the building’s landmark status.

Sources:
Dr. Jill Delaney, Government of Canada Building, St. George, New Brunswick, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 97-102;Government of Canada Building, St. George, New Brunswick, Heritage Character Statement 97-102.

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of the Government of Canada Building should be respected.

Its very good simplified classical design, composition, exterior finish and materials as manifested in:
-its two-storey structure, simple square footprint and cube-like massing;
-its single storey projecting entranceway reinforcing the symmetry and simplified classicism of the design;
-the tripartite division of the principal façade with projecting pilasters at the center bay and at the corner piers;
-the flat roof profile elaborated with a stepped coping;
-the light red split-faced granite in random courses contrasting with the light grey split-faced granite base, pilasters, window sills, surrounds and arched and flat voussoirs;
-the smooth-faced grey granite used for the carved name stones and the entranceway details;
-the dark grey granite accentuating the roof profile;
-the symmetrical placement and balance of windows and doors on the principal façade.

The manner in which the Government of Canada Building establishes the present character of the commercial area in a simple urban setting as a central focal point for the town and as a significant landmark.