Crystal Garden
701-11 Douglas Street, Victoria, Colombie-Britannique, Canada
Reconnu formellement en:
1995/01/19
Autre nom(s)
s/o
Liens et documents
s/o
Date(s) de construction
1924/01/01 à 1925/01/01
Inscrit au répertoire canadien:
2004/08/17
Énoncé d'importance
Description du lieu patrimonial
Crystal Garden is a one-storey glass and steel structure on the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets in Victoria, B.C.
Valeur patrimoniale
Crystal Garden is significant because of the role it has played in the social development of Victoria since the early twentieth century. Built in 1925 to provide the city with its first indoor swimming pool and converted into a conservatory in 1980, it is notable that this facility has remained contemporary to the recreational and social activities of the municipality. The year-round use of this steel and glass structure was unique in Canada at the time of its construction, and was made possible by its state-of-the-art heating system. Commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to entertain visitors to the city, this facility is also representative of the development of tourism in Victoria, and continues to attract tourists to the area. Its prominent corner position provides continuity to the streetscape of tourist-related buildings that extend outwards from the Inner Harbour.
The architectural value of Crystal Garden resides in its distinctive design and its landmark presence. Designed by Francis Mawson Rattenbury and P.L. James, two of Victoria's most notable architects, the 'crystal palace' appearance is unique among buildings in Victoria and is defined by its distinctive glass roof and horizontal massing. It is notable that this design for the CPR went back to Rattenbury's triumphs from an earlier era, as it extends his vision for the Inner Harbour. Crystal Garden is a reflection of the nineteenth century industrial world of steel - reminiscent of railway architecture - and the genteel traditions of glass-enclosed spaces.
Source: City of Victoria Planning and Development Department
Éléments caractéristiques
The character-defining elements of the Crystal Garden include its:
- horizontal form and rectangular massing
- prominent corner position and Douglas Street commercial storefronts
- reinforced steel construction and pitched glass roof
- brick bearing walls and concrete raft foundation
- classical exterior detailing
Reconnaissance
Juridiction
Colombie-Britannique
Autorité de reconnaissance
Administrations locales (C.-B.)
Loi habilitante
Local Government Act, art.954
Type de reconnaissance
Répertoire du patrimoine communautaire
Date de reconnaissance
1995/01/19
Données sur l'histoire
Date(s) importantes
s/o
Thème - catégorie et type
- Exprimer la vie intellectuelle et culturelle
- Les sports et les loisirs
Catégorie de fonction / Type de fonction
Actuelle
- Commerce / Services commerciaux
- Magasin ou commerce de vente au détail
Historique
- Loisirs
- Piscine ou plage
Architecte / Concepteur
Percy Leonard James
Constructeur
Lord and Burnham
Informations supplémentaires
Emplacement de la documentation
City of Victoria Planning and Development Department
Réfère à une collection
Identificateur féd./prov./terr.
DcRu-770
Statut
Édité
Inscriptions associées
s/o