Formal Recognition Type

City of St. John's Heritage Building, Structure, Land or Area

Heritage Value

187-189 Water Street has been designated a Municipal Heritage Building by the City of St.John’s for its aesthetic and historical values.

187-189 Water Street is aesthetically valuable as an example of a turn of the 20th century mercantile/residential building in downtown St. John’s. The first storey of this building was traditionally used for mercantile premises or office space. Unlike the other buildings in this block, the additional storeys of this building were used as a prominent social club and only recently as office space. This prominence is reflected in the use of decorative brick on the second and third storeys of this structure. The use of the building as a commercial building is evident through the traditional store front that features large glass windows and a recessed doorway. Furthermore, the brick construction of this building is typical for downtown St. John’s buildings built after the fire of 1892. This building, like all the others in this block, also feature some elements of classical revival such as pediments, pilasters, and arched windows and doorway.

187-189 Water Street is historically valuable because of its association as a private club. The second and third floors of this building were the home of the City Club, a social club for the well-to-do merchants and financial men of the city, instituted in 1893. To gain membership to this club one had to past the blackball test. If a member placed one blackball (a bean) in a pot during the selection process it was enough cause for rejection to the club.

Source: City of St. John’s Archives, unnumbered property file, St. John’s – Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union building

Character Defining Elements

All elements that define the building’s commercial vernacular design including:

-large glass windows;

-recessed doorway;

-size, shape, decoration and placement of windows;

-2 one storey bow windows with eared trim located on the second storey front facade;

-the use of decorative brick on the second and third storeys;

-use of pilasters on the third storey;

-oval window with decorative brick on the second storey;

-arched and recessed second entrance; and,

-size. location and dimensions.

Notes

Two, one storey bow windows with eared trim are located on the second storey front facade Decorative brick on the seocnd and third storeys Pilasters decorate the third storey Oval window with decorative brick on the second storey Arched and recessed second entrance

Community

St. John's

Municipality

City of St. John's

Civic Address

187-189 Water Street

Construction (circa)

1892 - 1893

Builder

Unknown

Style

Square