Sommerfeld Block

Description of the Historic Place

The Sommerfeld Block consists of two three storey brick buildings that were constructed in 1912. The two buildings were built simultaneously, and their combined facades give the appearance of one building.  Located at 813 and 817 Broadway Avenue in the neighbourhood of Nutana, the Sommerfeld Block contributes to the architectural style and unique character of the Broadway area.

Heritage Value

Designed by Bugenhagen and Turnbull, the Sommerfeld Block features a yellow/brown brick veneer exterior with terracotta accents on the front façade and a castellated parapet roofline with galvanized (painted) metal coping.  A large cornice with modillions is located at the base of the parapet wall.  Brick pilasters divide the bays on the upper two levels. Each building bay has two double windows on the second and third levels with terracotta keystones, corner blocks and sills. Adornments to the two buildings include a building date insignia, separate cornices for each building, and several layered pilasters running up to the top of the facade. In the taller of the two buildings, the windows are arched by an intricate combination of dark brick and light concrete voussoirs adding to the allure of the facade. The brick on the main level of the buildings’ façade has since been painted and the windows replaced.

In addition to its architecture, the heritage value of the Sommerfeld Block lies in its association with the historic Broadway area. The original owner of the Sommerfeld Block, Paul Sommerfeld, was originally from Minnesota and came to Saskatoon in 1901. From 1902 to 1906 Sommerfeld and his family farmed on land which straddled Eighth Street East, near present day Holliston School. Shortly thereafter, Sommerfeld ceased his farming operation to pursue business interests with Real Estate Co. and Robert Irvine’s lumberyard and hardware business. Sommerfeld became the president of the Saskatoon Mutual Fire Insurance Company which occupied an office on the second floor of 813 Broadway Avenue.

The first floor's original tenant at 813 Broadway Avenue South was the Royal Bank of Canada, Nutana Branch which opened on Feb. 10, 1913. It remained at this location for 53 years until its move to the corner of Broadway Avenue and Main Street in 1966. As the result of the bank's tenancy, the Sommerfeld Block became known as the 'Royal Bank Building.'  The rest of the building saw continual changes from tenant apartments to print shops to construction companies. Current occupants of the building include The Saskatchewan Craft Council and the Broadway Business Improvement District.  

The building built at 817 Broadway Avenue South originally had eight suites above the main-floor business. In 1917, the first mass for the Nutana Catholic Community was held in the basement of this building. Between 1913 and 1941, the ground floor was occupied by retail businesses, primarily a dry good store and a ladies ready-to-wear store.  The building is still tenant occupied today with a restaurant/bar located on the building’s main level.

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 façade with terracotta accents, parapet roofline with metal coping, the cornice with modillions, the second and third storey windows with terracotta keystones, corner blocks and sills, and the brick pilasters; and
• Those features that represent its historic importance, including the building date insignias.