Downtown in Regina in Sherwood No. 159, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
Western Trust Building
2020 11th Avenue
| — | Municipal Heritage Property designated in 1998 | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
1. Western Trust Building Marker
Parsons Construction and Engineering Company of Regina erected the building in 1911-12 for the Western Trust Company. It is located on the site of Regina’s first fire hall (1888), which shared property with the City’s original Town Hall (1886). It is one of only three surviving pre-World War I commercial buildings on “Bankers Row,” a concentration of financial institutions along 11th Avenue.
Regina architect Neil R. Darrach designed the building in partnership with Maurice W. Sharon. The exterior decoration of the building’s upper four floors is a unique local example of Italianate influences applied to a multi-story Chicago School design. The front façade at the main-floor level has been altered over time. However, the upper-floor exteriors retain their original appearance and feature brick facing and window surrounds of rusticated stonework. The building’s exterior is highlighted by a massive cornice along the south and east faces supported by dentils.
Erected 2004 by City of Regina.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 50° 27.029′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Saskatchewan. 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 Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Northern Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick W. Hill Mall (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Glockenspiel (about 210 meters away); This plaque marks the site of Knox Presbyterian Church, later to become Knox United Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Union Station (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Creation of the Province of Saskatchewan
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
2. Western Trust Building Marker
The marker is on the right side of the front entrance. The entrance is at the southwest corner of the building, facing 11th Avenue.
Regarding Western Trust Building. Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. Formally recognized 1998/08/24.
Also see . . .
1. Canadian Register of Historic Places Entry (HistoricPlaces.ca).
Excerpt: 2020 11th Avenue is a Municipal Heritage Property located in downtown Regina. The property features a five-storey commercial building faced with stone on the main level and brick on the upper levels, known as the Western Trust / Guaranty Trust Building, which was constructed in 1911-1912.(Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. 2020 - 11th Avenue (HeritageGuide.ca).
Excerpt: The heritage value of the property resides in its association with the Regina architect, Neil R. Darrach. Darrach came to Regina from St. Thomas, Ontario in 1911 and entered into a short-lived partnership with Maurice W. Sharon, who later became Saskatchewan’s provincial architect. The Western Trust(Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Company building was Darrach’s first design in Regina. Over the next few years Darrach would design several other significant Regina buildings.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20223. Western Trust Building (south elevation)
The heritage value of the property also resides in its architectural style. The building’s steel frame construction, prominent vertical corner piers, central recessed window bays, and vertical orientation, is representative of the Chicago School. The exterior decoration of the building's upper four floors features a rare local example of Italianate influences. The pronounced applied-metal cornice along the south and east sides is supported by modillions. Although the elaborate carvings of the ground floor front façade have disappeared, much of the original upper floor façade remains intact.
The heritage value of the property also resides in its status as one of only three surviving and largely intact pre-War commercial buildings which comprised “Bankers’ Row.” Many financial institutions were concentrated along or adjacent to 11th Avenue during the first two decades of the last century. The Western Trust Building contributed significantly to the recognition of 11th Avenue as Regina's main commercialstreet during the first half of the twentieth century. Western Trust continued to occupy this building until 1960 at which time the company became the Guaranty Trust Company of Canada. This company became Central Guaranty Trust by 1989 and continued at this location until 1993.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20224. Western Trust Building (southeast elevation)The building’s exterior is highlighted by a massive cornice along the south and east faces supported by dentils.
The heritage value also resides in the association of the property with Regina’s first fire hall (1888) and town hall (1886). Amongst the first public buildings erected in Regina, these structures served the community until larger facilities were built elsewhere in the community just after the turn of the last century. These first public buildings were subsequently torn down to make way for commercial buildings.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
