Landa Residence

Description of the Historic Place

The Landa Residence features a two-storey stucco and wood frame house built between 1911 and 1912 in the Riversdale neighbourhood.

This historic place, located at 202 Avenue E South, was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 2005. The designation is limited to the exterior of the house.

Heritage Value

The Heritage value of this property resides in its long association with the Landa family, who were the first Jewish settlers in Saskatoon. A carriage maker in Russia, William Landa, opened a blacksmith shop at 222 Avenue C South in 1908 and his family lived above the shop for many years. The family business thrived and evolved into Landa Carriage Works and finally to Landa Auto Body Works, a business that continues today. In 1921 the home at 202 Avenue E South became the family home of William and Fanny Landa, and remained so for many decades. It represents four Landa generations who have played a key role in Saskatoon’s business, social and religious community. Located near the family business and one block from the Jewish Synagogue, The Landa Residence reflects family cooperation and the value of community roots in the development of Saskatoon.

The heritage value of the Landa Residence also resides in its architectural style with Prairie influences. This property exhibits original craftsmanship in its steep gabled roofline, front verandah with recessed pilasters and bracketed entrance portico. The upscale features of the home may reflect that one of its earliest occupants was Saskatoon Fire Chief, Thomas E. Heath, who lived at the residence between 1913 and 1915.

Source: City of Saskatoon Bylaw No.8452 / City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database / Canadian Register of Historic Places

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its location and placement in relation to the Landa family business on Avenue C South, and to the old Jewish Synagogue on Avenue F; and
• Its architectural style with Prairie influences and its pre-World War I construction, evident in: its form and massing, roof design, verandah and pilasters, its front entrance portico and brackets, and the location, size and design of its entrance window.