Formal Recognition Type

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

Heritage Value

The Byrne Building has been designated a municipal heritage building by the City of St. John’s for its aesthetic value. The Byrne Building 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. The building also features large decorative dentils and keystone style window trim that is typical of a building built during this period. Furthermore, the brick construction of the Byrne Building is typical for downtown St. John’s buildings built after the fire of 1892.

Source: City of St. John’s Archives, unnumbered property file, St. John’s – Byrne Building

Character Defining Elements

All elements that define the building’s early 20th century commercial design including:

-large plate glass windows;

-recessed doorways;

-fascia board;

-original entrances (commercial entrances on Water Street, residential entrance on Queen Street);

-size, shape and placement of windows;

-keystone trim around window openings;

-decorative dentils;

-“Byrne Building” inscription on main façade;

-size, dimensions and location of building.

Community

St. John's

Municipality

City of St. John's

Civic Address

362-366 Water Street

Construction (circa)

1898 - 1901

Builder

Unknown

Style

Rectangular Long Façade