Downtown Commercial in Calgary in Calgary Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canadas Prairie Region (North America)
The Buildings
Stephen Avenue
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022
1. The Buildings Marker
Office and retail space on Stephen Avenue was in high demand between 1909 and 1912. Calgary was the business centre of an expanding, prosperous region and business was booming. This was reflected in the impressive, modern buildings that appeared along Stephen Avenue.
The Hudson's Bay Company's newest and most modern store had its official opening in 1913. Richly decorated, it boasted forty departments, a fine restaurant, and even a playground for children on the roof. Enlarged in 1929, the building doubled in size, gained its distinctive arched colonnade along Stephen Avenue and First Street SW., and became a city landmark.
Canada Life Assurance, popularly known as the Hollinsworth Building, at 301 8 Avenue S.W. was built in 1912, the second of Calgary's first three skyscrapers that included the Grain Exchange, 1910 and The Burns Building, 1913. Framed in steel and concrete, and finished in decorative terra cotta, this office building also reflected a fresh international style. In 1989 the elegant facade was restored and successfully incorporated into the new Bankers Hall complex.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 51° 2.734′ N, 114° 3.946′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in Alberta’s Calgary Area. It is also in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Meeting Place (within shouting distance of this marker); The Palace Theatre / Le Thιβtre Palace (within shouting distance of this marker); T.C. Power & Bro. (within shouting distance of this marker); Lougheed Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The Clarence Block ~ 1900 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Stephen Avenue / L'avenue Stephen (about 90 meters away); Molson Bank ~ 1911 (about 120 meters away); The Builders (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calgary.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022
2. The Buildings Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2022
3. Hudsons Bay Company (northeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
