2009-03-23

MTM: Old Strathcona - Part ... who knows?



This will probably be my last post on Old Strathcona. In my mind, I have saved the best for last, the old post office building.

Please click on any photo to enlarge.


It was started one year before Strathcona amalgamated with Edmonton in 1912, but not completed until the following year as Strathcona's Post Office and offices for Customs and Inland Revenue. The Strathcona Public Building was designed in the Edwardian Classical Revival style and was declared a Provincial Historic Resource in 1985.







This is a better shot of the clock tower.



I think I like the building so much because my eldest brother had a hand in having the building declared an historical resource.

I had hoped to get back and take some interior shots for this post, but ...the best laid plans. I will go ahead and post this today anyway as it is G's birthday!








Looking North along 105 street you can see the details that make this such an attractive building.

After the first re-purposing of the building, it housed a fabulous Italian eatery and several little boutique shops.















Looking east along Whyte Avenue, you can see the glass along the side walk, I believe it's purpose was to bring natural light into the basement.


The Italian eatery became so popular that it has now taken over the entire main floor of the building.




Short and sweet his week. Hope you enjoyed and if G reads this, maybe he can throw in a few facts for us. Happy Birthday brother dear.

If you would like to read more My Town Monday posts from around the world, please drop by Travis Erwin's blog, he is the mastermind behind all this.

Have a good day all.


Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV

17 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

you love it when an old building is cared for and turned into a place that everybody can enjoy!

Leah J. Utas said...

Excellent post. I love the virtual tour. And good for G. for his hand in saving the building.

debra said...

it is so great when old buildings are used instead of torn down. Strathcona sounds like an interesting place.

pattinase (abbott) said...

It reminds me so much of buildings in Stratford and London, ON. Canada has a versimilitude which is very comforting to me. Can I move there?

Terrie Farley Moran said...

Hi Reb,

What an excellent building and a great big "atta boy" to your brother for all his efforts in having the building and its history acknowledged. happy birthday and long life to him.

Terrie

Reb said...

Gary, yes, it is good to see!

Thanks Leah, I think it is pretty cool that G had a hand in it.

Debra, it is great. You will have to come visit.

Patti, you are more than welcome to come here. Of course we still have a few feet of snow ;)

the Bag Lady said...

Great post, sis! Our big brother did well to save this building.

Reb said...

Terrie, thanks. It is a great building at that.

Thanks Sis, he did a good thing.

Travis Erwin said...

The old PO building I work in pales in comparison.

Barrie said...

That is a beautiful building. I clicked on your pictures which blew them up really big and detailed. Wow! Happy Birthday, G!

Reb said...

Travis, they don't make anything for beauty these days.

Barrie, one of the reasons I love my camera.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Gorgeous architecture and an Italian restaurant? What more could one ask for? Sounds wonderful; thanks for sharing the pictures!

Reb said...

You said it Crabby!

Barbara Martin said...

I'm pleased to hear the old post office is protected as a heritage building.

Reb said...

Barbara, it is such a beautiful bldg it deserves to be.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful building! Your brother did a wonderful thing.
It's hard to believe that it was built as a post office. The little post office buildings around here are pretty boring.

Reb said...

Kcinnova, it is beautiful. Alas I don't think I was ever in it when it was still a PO.