Building 42
Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Montréal, Quebec
General view
© Department of National Defence / Ministère de la Défense nationale, 1995.
Address :
CFB Montréal, Montréal, Quebec
Recognition Statute:
Treasury Board Policy on Management of Real Property
Designation Date:
1996-05-10
Dates:
-
1941 to 1941
(Construction)
Event, Person, Organization:
-
Department of National Defence, Directorate of Works
(Architect)
Other Name(s):
-
Administration Building
(Other Name)
Custodian:
National Defence
FHBRO Report Reference:
96-011
DFRP Number:
06710 00
Description of Historic Place
Building 42, also known as the Administration Building, is located at the Garrison Longue Pointe (CFB Montreal), along the eastern perimeter of the base, near the main entrance, facing onto Notre-Dame Street in Montreal. It is a one-storey, flat-roofed, concrete building with a symmetrical layout and two attached, truncated wings. A central monumental entrance is positioned along the front elevation. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
Building 42 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value
Building 42 is associated with the establishment of the Garrison Longue-Pointe (CFB Montreal) during the Second World War as a supply depot. As such, it helps demonstrate the growth of Canada’s military during the war.
Architectural Value
Building 42 is of good aesthetic design as demonstrated in its combination of modern and classical features. Such designs were typical of federal architecture during the 1940s. Its aesthetic was accentuated by elements such as its horizontal massing and detailing, smooth wall surfaces and its monumental entrance. Building 42 continues to be used for office space, which in turn demonstrates its good functional design. As well, there are windows on all four elevations for light and ventilation. Good craftsmanship and materials are noted in the building’s exterior concrete cladding.
Environmental Value
Building 42 reinforces the Second World War military character of the base and is familiar to anyone who has lived or worked on the base.
Sources: Contentworks, Building 42, Administration Building, Garnison CFB Montreal, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Research Memo, 96-011; Building 42, Administration Building, Garnison CFB Montreal, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 96-011.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of Building 42 should be respected.
Its good modern classical aesthetic, good functional design and craftsmanship and materials, for example: the horizontal massing, smooth wall surfaces and flat roof; the narrow, horizontal bands running continuously at sill and lintel level, framing the windows and emphasizing the building’s horizontal orientation; the overall symmetry of the building, including the symmetrical placement of the front wings and the fenestration on all four elevations; the monumental entrance, in which long, narrow windows are recessed to create hard-edged column-like shafts; the vertical and regularly placed windows that provide air and light; the exterior, clad in concrete.
The manner in which Building 42 reinforces the Second World War military character of the base and is familiar in the area as evidenced in: its overall scale, design and materials, which distinguish it from surrounding buildings of utilitarian design, while maintaining an ordered military appearance; its prominent location and function for administrative purposes make it known to people on the base.