Description of Historic Place
Building 806 is located within the self-contained community of Pleasantville on the north shore of Quidi Vidi Lake. It is a long, two-storey, flat-roofed, rectangular structure with a timber exterior and exhibits low, horizontal massing. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
Building 806 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value
Building 806 as part of the former United States military base of Fort Pepperrell is closely associated with the Second World War perimeter defence plan. This plan called for strategic continental outposts such as Newfoundland and Jamaica to be armed and fortified to prevent an attack on the United States. The base was vacated by the United States in the 1950s and is now used as offices for the department of National Defence.
Architectural Value
Building 806 is a very good example of a wartime wood and frame structure that was conceived to be highly functional in design and construction. Simple rectangular shapes and plain aesthetic elements are characteristic of its modern style. Integral to the complex, the structure’s architectural significance is in its contribution to the overall visual unity of this cohesive group of modernistic buildings.
Environmental Value
Building 806 maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and the adjacent structures. It also reinforces the 1940s character of the military base setting and is familiar to those living and working at the base.
Sources: Julie Harris, Pleasantville Site (41 Buildings) St. John’s, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Report 86-016; Buildings 301 to 306, 308 to 314, and 806 / Buildings 401 to 410, 507 to 509, 511 and 512, Pleasantville, St John’s Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement 86-016.
Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of the Building 806 should be respected.
Its modern design and good quality materials and workmanship, for example:
- the scale and low massing of the long, rectangular structure;
- the flat roofs outlined by simple extended eaves;
- the projecting wings and stairwell blocks and each entrance emphasized by a concrete block canopy;
- the highly functional interior layout;
- the exterior white shingles and the size, form and spacing of the door and window openings.
The manner in which Building 806 reinforces the military character of Pleasantville, maintains an unchanged relationship to its open site and the adjacent structures, and is familiar to those frequenting the base as evidenced by:
- its ongoing relationship to its open site and to the other buildings within the military complex;
- the modern plain aesthetic of the utilitarian structure, which harmonizes with the cohesive grouping of buildings, and creates a strong visual unity on the base;
- its visible location and its function as living accommodation, which make it a familiar point of reference.
Location of Supporting Documentation
National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
2748
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a