Burns Building
- Construction year
- 1912
- Architect
- Unknown
- Builder
- Unknown
- Style
- Chicago Commercial Style
- Typology
- Shop and Office
- Development era
- 1906 to 1913 (Pre WWI Boom, Age of Optimism)
- Designation
- Inventory listing only
The Burns Building, built in 1912, is one of Calgary's most distinguished office buildings from the pre-World War I era. It is a very good example of the Edwardian Commercial style; its two principal facades clearly articulated with Classical detail in an arrangement that represents a base (two lower floors, topped by an entablature); a shaft continuing for the next four storeys; and a carefully detailed frieze and cornice at the top. The building is considered to be excellent in its design and exterior details, not only for the precisely detailed ornament, but also for the use of terra-cotta facing. Individual details such as the lions' heads which support the canopies and the elaborate cartouches at the tops of the pilaster strips are a delight to view. The architects were Hodgson, Bates and Beattie, one of Calgary's leading firms of the time. The structure beneath the terra-cotta is
Character-defining elements: The character-defining elements of the Burns Building include such features as: - mass, form, and style; - flat roof with dentiled terra-cotta entablature forming top floor parapet; - dentiled terra-cotta entablature above second storey; - terra-cotta sheathing and sculpted decorative elements, including "BURNS BUILDING" set in relief; - wrought iron canopy at ground level; - fenestration pattern; - entrance lobby containing original interior marble finishings, tile flooring, and stair railings; - tile flooring in main floor.
Source: The City of Calgary Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources, entry 210.