This 3-storey brick structure, of 19th century construction, is situated on the east side of York Street between Queen and King Streets.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of this building is associated with its historic uses and functions. Originally a 2-storey structure, this building was constructed for use as a Temperance Hall in 1873. Mr. McKean, Saint John architect, designed the structure, while Mr. Lemuel Nason served as the building contractor. Rossborough & Foster completed the masonry work on the building. When the building was purchased by the Young Men’s Christian Association in 1898 from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, a third storey was added. The YMCA hired William Scarr to construct the new addition under the supervision of Architect William E. Minue. It was the intention of the YMCA that the addition be harmonious with the original design of the building.
Scarr and Minue had worked together on a number of local building projects including additions made to the Victoria Public Hospital. At the same time that Minue was working on the new YMCA, he was submitting designs for the Hartt Boot & Shoe Factory.
The newly completed structure housed not only the YMCA, but the Bank of Montreal and a number of stores. Fire in 1922, the most costly since the great fire of 1850, nearly ruined the YMCA building. Rather than rebuild, the YMCA sold the hollowed-out building to merchant, James P. Farrell, in 1923. Mr. Farrell, proprietor of the Royal Store, initially refused to comment upon whether he intended to move said business into the new building, but he did precisely that. Shortly after the completion of this building, the Royal Store moved from its location adjacent the Gaiety Theatre on Queen Street to the thriving commercial district on York Street. At present, this building houses a retail store and apartments.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements associated with this structure located at 72-76 York Street include:
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3-storey brick construction
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Flat roof
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Large, rectangular windows on second and third floors
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Large display windows on ground floor