Motherwell Building
1901 Victoria Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2003/12/15
Other Name(s)
Motherwell Building
Motherwell Building
Links and documents
n/a
Construction Date(s)
1954/01/01 to 1956/12/31
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2005/05/17
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Motherwell Building is a Municipal Heritage Property in the City of Regina. Located prominently at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Rose Street in Regina’s downtown core, this stone-faced, multi-storey office building was constructed between 1954-56. The building’s Municipal Heritage Property designation applies only to the façade.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Motherwell Building lies in its architecture. The building was the last project commissioned to the prominent Regina architectural firm of Storey and Van Egmond. Built between 1954-56, its design reflects the influence of the International style and emphasizes modernity and technology, which distinguished it from other buildings in Regina at that time. The rectilinear geometry of the International style façade was constructed with traditional materials of Tyndall Stone and black granite.
Further heritage value is derived from the Motherwell Building’s association with the Federal government, the agricultural industry and W. R. Motherwell. The building was originally constructed as an office building for the Federal government. At the time of opening, the major tenants of the building included the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) and Western Canadian Engineering Projects, both of which played very significant roles in the development of Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry. The association with agriculture was further enhanced by naming the building after William R. Motherwell, a pioneer farmer in Saskatchewan, one of the founders of the Western Canadian agricultural movement, a major Saskatchewan Liberal political leader and a Federal Minister of Agriculture. Naming Saskatchewan’s largest and most modern building after Motherwell emphasized the political and historical links between the Liberal Federal government and the agricultural industry as well as the province’s pioneer traditions.
Source: City of Regina Bylaw 2003-101.
Character-Defining Elements
The heritage value of the Motherwell Building resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements that reflect the influence of the International style, including the clear articulation of a grid frame, limited ornamentation or decoration on the façade other than fluted spandrels, the uniform surface that creates a sense of rectangular volume, flat roof, black granite cladding that surrounds the first floor and flush window openings that extend from floor to ceiling of each storey;
-those elements that reflect the association with the Federal government, the agriculture industry and W. R. Motherwell, such as the dedication plaque on the exterior of the building and the location of the building on its original site.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Saskatchewan
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (SK)
Recognition Statute
Heritage Property Act, s. 11(1)(a)
Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Property
Recognition Date
2003/12/15
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Governing Canada
- Government and Institutions
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Residence
- Multiple Dwelling
Historic
- Government
- Office or office building
Architect / Designer
Van Egmond and Storey
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation
Heritage Resources Branch
1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, SK
File:2103
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
MHP 2103
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a