Formal Recognition Type

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

Heritage Value

This building has been designated a municipal heritage building by the City of St. John’s for its aesthetic and historical values.

203 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. The additional storeys were used as residential space, usually for the merchant’s family. The use of the building as a commercial building is evident through the traditional store front that features large plate glass windows with fascia board and a recessed doorway. Furthermore, the brick construction of the 203 Water Street is typical for downtown St. John’s buildings built after the fire of 1892. This building like all the other in this block also feature some elements of classical revival such as pediments, pilasters, and arched windows.

203 Water Street is historically valuable because of its associations with the Kelly family. John and Francis Kelly operated the first dime store in St. John’s in this building, which was commonly known as the Five and Ten.

Source: City of St. John’s Archives property file, 203 Water Sreet, the Taj Mahal.

Character Defining Elements

All elements of the commercial vernacular style, including:

-brick construction;

-large plate glass windows with fascia board;

-size, shape, decoration and placement of windows;

-two, one storey bow windows with pediments and sun motif, pilasters, dentils and fascia;

-stone pilasters on the corners of the building;

-original double door entrance with sidelights and transom;

-a second recessed entrance with transom and moulding; and

-moulding in line with bow windows on second floor.

Notes

Two, one storey bow windows with pediments and sun motif, pilasters, dentils and fascia. Stone pilasters on the corners of the building A second recessed entrance with transom and moulding Double doors at the main entrance Moulding in line with bow windows on second floor

Community

St. John's

Municipality

City of St. John's

Civic Address

203 Water Street

Construction (circa)

1892 - 1893

Builder

Unknown

Style

Rectangular Long Façade