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St. Catharines, ON

Built in 1872 to the designs of Henry Langley, the upper floors and the central tower were rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1895 and replaced with the present modest pyramidal feature and attic.

The original structure was designed in the Second Empire Style and was modelled on Langley's now demolished 1874 General Post Office in Toronto.

The remaining cast-iron facade is one of perhaps four remaining in Canada, and worthy of preservation.

The building originally served as a meeting place for the local Masonic order and quickly became a landmark within the surrounding urban fabric. Its well-proportioned cast-iron facade, masonry detailing, and interior spaces embody the craftsmanship and civic pride typical of the era.

SHA was retained by a private client to assess the heritage significance of the property and support planning for its adaptive reuse. Our role focused on identifying the building's heritage attributes, evaluating potential impacts of proposed alterations, and preparing a comprehensive Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment in accordance with provincial and municipal guidelines.

The Heritage Impact Assessment was completed in 2024, establishing a clear framework for future design and conservation work. The SHA study documented the building's architectural features and condition, providing recommendations to guide its continued preservation and sensitive adaptation for contemporary use.