Description of Historic Place

This monumental armoury is distinguished by its simple Tudor-Revival façades and large drill hall. Its stepped parapet profiles, low arched troop door and corner towers recall medieval military motifs. Constructed of brick with decorative stone trim, the building stands in generous grounds. The large, buff-brick and limestone building is distinguished by sturdy corner towers and a low arched entrance on its main façade. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The McGregor Street Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The McGregor Street Armoury is associated with the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia in Canada under Sir Sam Hughes. Hughes instigated the development of standard plans to aid in the efficient implementation of an intensive armoury building program. The armoury reflects a government policy to supply arms to all militias and to construct good local training facilities.

Architectural Value
The McGregor Street Armoury is a very good example of the Tudor Revival style as evidenced by its sturdy towers and low arched entrance. The fortress motifs, characteristic of Canadian armouries, are featured in its stepped parapet profile, low arched entrance and corner towers. The large, unobstructed interior of the drill hall and the axial planning inspired by the Beaux-Arts style demonstrate a very good functional design.

Environmental Value
The McGregor Street Armoury is compatible with its urban streetscape setting and is a well-known landmark in the region.

Sources: Armoury, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report (SCR), 94-023; Armoury, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Heritage Character Statement, 94-023.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the McGregor Street Armoury should be respected.

Its Tudor-Revival style and fortress motif, the very good functional design and very good
craftsmanship, for example: the monumental scale and massing consisting of a principal block, sturdy, square corner
towers, and a low arched entrance leading to a large drill hall; the steel truss structural system that spans the large, uninterrupted space of the drill hall; the exterior materials such as the smooth surfaces of the brick and limestone façades,
the ashlar treatment of the masonry, and the decorative detailing which contribute a
decorative element to the building’s fortress like appearance including the stepped
parapet profile, decorative balustrade and the carved stone scrolls and shields; the symmetrical relationship of the multi-paned sash windows and doors with transoms.

The manner in which the McGregor Street Armoury is compatible with the character of its urban streetscape setting and is a regional landmark, as evidenced by: its Tudor Revival style, medieval motifs and materials which harmonizes its surrounding streetscape; its high visibility, due to its large scale and prominent location; its well-known, ongoing role as an armoury in the City of Winnipeg.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The armoury was constructed in 1914-15. It follows the Type 'D' alternate plan of the militia council, and H.E. Mathews was the architect. It was built by the Department of Public Works. The building continues to be used as an armoury. The Department of National Defence is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 94-23.

Reasons For Designation
The armoury has been designated Recognized for its architectural importance, environmental significance, and its historical associations.

The influence of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts is reflected in this two storey brick and stone trimmed armoury, which has a monumental scale. The Ecole advocated clear volumes, axial planning, horizontal massing, and less decorative detailing, characteristics which are found in this building. The stepped parapet profiles, corner towers reflect the use of medieval military motifs. Built to a standard plan, following departmental guidelines, the ancillary spaces are at either end of the drill hall. The structural design, employing steel trusses, allows the use of large glazed areas between piers, a characteristic feature of pre-World War I armoury design.

The armoury contributes significantly to its surrounding streetscape because of its dominant scale and distinctive design which reflects its military function. The armoury has a prominent location and has a generous front lawn and surrounding grounds which reinforce its importance. The characteristic, large, flat site required for drill exercises is associated with this armoury.

The construction of the armoury is associated with the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia under Sir Sam Hughes. Hughes instigated the development of standard plans to aid in the efficient implementation of the intensive armoury building program. The armoury reflects a government policy to supply arms to all militias and to construct good local training facilities. The drill hall has a steel truss to span the large open area, a typical feature, pre-World War I, in the development of the Canadian drill hall.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the armoury resides in its overall form, proportions,
construction materials, architectural details reflecting military precedents, interior planning and volumes, and site relationships.

The simple massing of this armoury is dominated by the two-storey, gable roof of the drill hall. The armoury has two-storey, flat-roofed blocks with projecting corner towers, at either end of the drill hall. The external massing and footprint reflect internal functions and the clarity of this expression should be maintained. The two-storey front blocks also have varied parapet profiles and prominent chimneys in contrast to the simple, gable roof profile. These profiles should be respected. The pleasing balance of building masses reflects modern preferences for simply composed forms. These characteristics should be respected.

The prominence of the building derives from well designed facades executed in buff brick, with white limestone detailing and decorative carving providing colour and textural contrast. The features which should be maintained include the ashlar treatment of the masonry and the decorative balustrade above the arcaded entrance. The carved stone scrolls and shields are additional enhancements reflecting military precedents. The masonry requires an ongoing maintenance program and conservation expertise in the choice of materials and techniques for repair and replacement. The simpler, flatter detailing is uniformly applied to all facades and employs smooth surfaces and geometric forms characteristic of the Beaux-Arts tendencies to simplify exterior ornamentation. These details should be respected.

The extensive surface area of the drill hall roof is a component of the design. The roofing material is asphalt shingles and these appear to be recent. The choice of replacement roof material should be based on research to confirm historic precedent for materials and colours.

The wood, multi-paned, sash windows found in the ancillary blocks and the large, multi-paned, steel windows of the drill hall appear to be original. Original windows and doors with multi-paned transoms should be maintained as they enhance the revival designs and the military character of the building.

The armoury has some windows blocked off with solid panels, introducing a new material which alters the symmetrical expression of the overall window placement. Where windows have been blocked off they should be reinstated, particularly those windows which introduce interior day lighting to the drill halls as they make an important contribution to the spacious, naturally lighted character of the hall.

The interior follows a standard plan, with the principal entrance located in the centre of the drill hall's short facade. The drill hall is characterized by the large open volume, with exposed steel trusses and extensive glazing. The spatial openness and bright, naturally lit character of the hall should be maintained. The drill hall interior exhibits a deliberately utilitarian, functional design, with exposed brick walls, steel trusses, and concrete floors. This character should be maintained.

A simple ground plane is characteristic of the historic setting for this building. The use of turf grass, and asphalt or concrete paving supports the austere character of these sites, and should be continued. Mature specimen trees should be protected. The asymmetrical relationship of the armouries on their sites should be maintained.