Description of Historic Place
Building 205 is located within the self-contained community of Pleasantville on the north shore of Quidi Vidi Lake. It is a long, rectangular, flat-roofed structure that features a reinforced concrete first storey, and a wood-framed second storey. The exterior is painted white with green trim. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
Building 205 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
Building 205, 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 owned by the Canadian government.
Architectural Value
Building 205 was built as a service building. It is a good example of a wartime structure that was conceived to be highly functional in design and construction. Integral to the complex, the structure’s architectural significance is in its contribution to the overall visual unity of this cohesive group of modernistic white buildings.
Environmental Value
Building 205 maintains an unchanged relationship to its open site and the adjacent structures. It also reinforces the character of its military setting and is familiar to those within the local area.
Sources: Julie Harris, Pleasantville Site (41 Buildings) St. John’s, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Report 86-016; Buildings 102, 202, to 207, 209, 501, 517 and T562, Pleasantville Heritage Character Statement 86-016.
Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of the Building 205 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 roof with extended eaves;
- the reinforced concrete first storey and the wood framed second storey;
- the exterior white, asbestos shingles, and the size, form and spacing of the door and window openings;
- the placement of parapets over service entrances.
The manner in which Building 205 maintains an unchanged relationship to its open site, reinforces the character of its military setting and is familiar to those within the local area, as evidenced by:
- the ongoing relationship of the building to its open site, and complex of buildings located within a suburban neighbourhood;
- 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;
- the utilitarian nature of the building as a warehouse and garage that makes it a familiar a point of reference on the base.