Description of Historic Place

The Federal Building in Brantford is located on a prominent corner lot in the downtown core of the city. It is a monumental, reinforced concrete structure with a variety of stone facings. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, it features a tall clock tower and a row of engaged Ionic columns along the principal elevations. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Federal Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Federal Building is associated with the federal government’s increasing presence in smaller centers across Canada as reflected in the construction of post office buildings between the years of 1897 – 1914. The building was built at a time when increased growth and prominence for the city as a progressive manufacturing center was expected as a result of a population increase. However, this period of rapid development changed into a sustained period of slow growth for the city.

Architectural Value
The Federal Building is a very good example of the Beaux-Arts inspired post offices constructed during the tenure of David Ewart, Chief Architect for the Department of Public Works. The building is characterized by its monumental scale, classical detailing and six-storey clock tower. It also demonstrates good craftsmanship and materials as evidenced in its steel framing and reinforced concrete with a variety of stone facings.

Environmental Value
The Federal Building establishes the present character of its downtown setting and is a well-known landmark in Brantford.

Sources:
Dana Johnson, Brantford Federal Building, Brantford, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 84-017; Brantford Federal Building, Brantford, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 84-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Federal Building should be respected.

Its Beaux-Arts style and good craftsmanship, for example:
-its U-shaped, three-storey massing with a six storey corner tower;
-its projecting tower including the tripartite window decorated with a stone balcony, the clockface framed by a semicircular bracketed arch and the copper-roofed bell tower;
-its row of engaged Ionic columns, moulded architraves, keystones, and triangular and semicircular pediments;
-its variety of facings including the granite base, the strongly articulated ground storey of rusticated stone and the brick two-storey compostition;
-its steel framing and reinforced concrete construction;
-its window arrangement and treatment.

The manner in which the Federal Building establishes the present character of its downtown setting and is a well-known building in the city, as evidenced by:
-its Beaux-Arts design which harmonizes with the city hall, the county court
house and which visually dominates a prominent corner adjacent to the market area
within the downtown core;
-its visibility vis-à-vis its monumental scale and prominent location, as well as its public
function, all of which makes it one of the most important and familiar buildings in the
city.