McKay Block

Description of the Historic Place

The McKay Block is a two storey brick building that was constructed in 1909. The commercial building is located at 223 2nd Avenue South in downtown Saskatoon and is considered to be representative of 2nd Avenue’s historic streetscape.

Heritage Value

Originally the McKay Block had an extremely decorative, symmetrical façade which is currently not visible due to the addition of three modern arches.  The upper-storey addition in 1912 contributed much to the building’s architectural interest, mainly due to the balance exhibited in its embellishment. Four brick columns surround the three upper-storey windows.  Above the windows, strong horizontal definition is provided by a double soldier’s course in granite, with a matching tooth-edged design below it. The point at which the brick above the windows and the granite meet is offset by a chain design. The style of the building is characteristic of Edwardian architecture, a style popular during King Edward VII of the United Kingdom's reign. This style is generally less ornate than high or late Victorian architecture.

In addition to its architectural style, the heritage value of the McKay Block lies in its association with 2nd Avenue's historic streetscape and physician Dr. William J. McKay. The McKay Block is one of Saskatoon's earliest buildings on the west side of the South Saskatchewan River. The building is named for physician Dr. McKay, Saskatoon’s medical health officer from 1906 - 1912. The building was the location of Dr. McKay’s office from 1907-1911; dates that coincide with the height of his battles with the typhoid epidemics during those summers. It is likely that many of his fiery campaigns for better health conditions, drafts of hygienic bylaws and new health regulations, and his plans for Saskatoon’s first water filtration plant were prepared at his office in this building.  Towards the end of his tenure, the Daily Star reported that McKay’s was ‘the best public health department in Western Canada.’  

Over the years (and with extensive renovations and expansions) the McKay Block has been a clothing store, a restaurant (Olympia, 1925; the Washburn, 1931; and the Savoy Café, 1935), a shoe-store, a beauty parlor, and apartments. The Mikado Silk Co., which offered a combination of textile, lingerie, hosiery, and ready-to-wear items, became a second avenue landmark – operating from 1933 – 1998 in the building.  The McKay Block represents business endeavours dating to the beginning of Saskatoon’s boom era. The original charm of the building remains, even if at present it is somewhat hidden by 'improvements' reflective of their own era.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its Edwardian architecture, evident in: its symmetrical façade, the brick columns, upper storey windows, and the double soldier’s course in granite.
• Those features that speak to its historical association with the 2nd Avenue Streetscape and Dr. McKay, including the name "McKay" centered over the building’s middle window, its form, scale and massing, and its original location along 2nd Avenue South.