Eaton Block

Description of the Historic Place

The Eaton Block is a three-storey brick building that was constructed in 1911. Located at 735 Broadway Avenue in the neighbourhood of Nutana, the building exemplifies boom time construction in Saskatoon. 

Heritage Value

The Eaton Block features an orange brick facade with quoins of terracotta above the main level.  Two third-floor windows have flat voussoirs and cast concrete sills, while the second-floor windows have arched voussoirs and cast concrete keystones, corner blocks and heavy concrete sills.  The main-floor façade of the building maintains the original configuration of display windows and inset door on the corner, but in all new materials.  The broken pediment on the roofline is an imitation of the original. Originally, the building was crowned by a finial on a dramatic baroque pediment.

In addition to its architecture, the Eaton Block is valued for its association with Frederick Eaton.  In 1911, the ‘boom’ hit Broadway, and amongst the lumberyards and livery stables sprang up the brick commercial/residential blocks of Paul Sommerfeld, Arlington Farnam, Frederick Eaton and Charles Smith. In 1906, Dr. Frederick Eaton came west to Saskatoon from Toronto. Eaton provided care to east side patients, with special attention given to diseases of women and children. In 1911 he built the Eaton Block building and moved his office to one of the second floor suites. He sold the property in 1914 and left Saskatoon to practice in British Columbia. 

From 1911-34, the Canadian Bank of Commerce occupied the Eaton Block building, and Wadie Malouf operated Malouf’s Confectionery here from 1936 to 1944. Malouf lived at the same address from 1936 to 1942. He was a member of A. D. Malouf's family, owner of Malouf's Service Store at 808 Broadway Avenue, and an important family in Broadway's early business history.

Today, the Eaton Block building is symbolic of the building boom that occurred during Saskatoon’s boom time period,  and continues to be an important neighbourhood landmark on the corner of Broadway and 10th Street.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Its architecture, evident in: its brick facade and stone accents; flat parapet roof; upper-level windows with flat/arched voussoirs and cast concrete sills and keystones.