Red Deer in Red Deer County, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
Builders' Hardware
— Red Deer Historical Walking Tour —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022
1. Builders' Hardware Marker
Constructed in 1949, this building demonstrates post-war commercial design. With its flat roof, plain brick facade and minimalist concrete elements, the structure's clean, simple lines were appealing to the public of that era. Builders' Hardware was modern inside, as well; the Red Deer Advocate credited it with "having some of the most up-to-date features in the country, including dream windows that bring the stock to the sidewalk patrons."
The building was a hardware store for 35 years. In 2004, while occupied by Prairie Office Products, it received an exterior rehabilitation as part of Alberta's Main Street project. The building won an Alberta Excellence in Signage award for the restoration.
Erected by City of Red Deer.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 52° 16.207′ N, 113°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rollis Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Horsley Block (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Maurice Shoe Shop (about 120 meters away); Home Grill (about 120 meters away); Farthing Block (about 120 meters away); Reverend Dr. Leonard Gaetz (about 120 meters away); Brumpton Store (about 150 meters away); Club Café (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Deer.
Also see . . .
1. Builders' Hardware.
Builder’s Hardware is one of several two-storey brick buildings on Gaetz Avenue, a prominent commercial street in downtown Red Deer. In 1949, Builders’ Hardware, a subsidiary of the Revelstoke Lumber Company, replaced their original building with this state of the art hardware store at a cost of $50,000. The new building’s vitrolite front, modern light fixtures, interior spotlights, and coloured lights for display windows attracted lots of attention. Builders’ Hardware occupied the building until 1964, when(Submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)it was renamed Builders’ Merit Store, and then simply the Merit Store. The building remained a hardware store until 1984 and has been occupied by Prairie Office Products since 1987.Red Deer & District Archives (P116)2. Marker detail: Rotary Club Float — Exhibition Parade 1963
2. Builders' Hardware Statement of Significance.
The Builders’ Hardware is significant for its modern commercial design. This building has aluminum storefront windows on the main floor and a short tower on the side façade. The long, low profile with a flat roof is an element seen in many modern buildings in the Red Deer area, as is the relatively plain brick façade and exposed, minimalist concrete elements. The functional plan of the building has two storeys on the front façade with retail space on the main floor and office space on the second floor. The rear of the building is one storey, providing both retail and storage space. The long horizontal bank of showroom windows on the front façade is set in a rectangular cast stone frame embellished with a metal ribbon band that echoes the roofline. The second storey band of windows that emphasizes the building’s length has a large cast stone surround and further emphasizes the building’s horizontal lines.(Submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Red Deer & District Archives (P116)
3. Marker detail: Builders' Hardware, 1963
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022
4. Builders' Hardware Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022
5. Builders' Hardware Building (east/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
