Royal Bank

Description of the Historic Place

The Royal Bank building is a three storey commercial building that features a unique blend of Classical and Renaissance architectural styles. Located in the city’s downtown, the Royal Bank building was built between 1911 and 1913.

This historic place, located at 243 2nd Avenue South, is listed under Bylaw No. 6770 (Holding Bylaw). This Bylaw provides short-term protection of the building from demolition by providing for a 60 day holding period in the event a demolition permit is received. Within that 60 day period heritage designation is considered by City Council.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Royal Bank building lies in its architecture, with influences of the Classical and Renaissance architectural styles. Designed by architect Kenneth Guscotte Rea, the building features a stone cut façade with Ionic columns. The building is the only remaining example of the Classical/Renaissance style bank building built during and after Saskatoon's first boom time.

The Royal Bank of Canada purchased the site in April 1910 with construction beginning in 1911. Construction continued through 1912 and the building was finally occupied by the Royal Bank in October of 1913.  The Royal Bank continued to occupy the main floor of the building until 1975. Extensive renovations to the building were undertaken in the 1970s, which included water-blasting the front of the building, restoring an old fireplace, extending the mezzanine floor, and converting two vaults into office space. The building has been home to various tenants, including The Saskatchewan Economic Development Corporation, which was housed on the main floor from 1979 to 1983.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its architectural style, with classical and renaissance influences, evident in: its symmetrical stone cut façade; full-height Ionic columns; heavy cornice with dentils; and its roofline balustrade; and
• Its Royal Bank of Canada signage etched in stone above the main entrance.