Majestic Theatre Municipal Heritage Building
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C, Canada
Formally Recognized:
1989/07/21
Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
n/a
Construction Date(s)
1918/01/01 to 1919/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2006/06/19
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Majestic Theatre is a four storey domed building located at the corners of Duckworth and New Gower Street, St. John's, NL. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
This building has been designated for its aesthetic and historical values.
The Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth Street, has aesthetic value because it is a rare example of a flat iron shaped building in the city. The Majestic Theatre is constructed in a vernacular architectural style with a Romansque Revival end tower. It is built on two city streets, meeting at a central domed tower, where the main entrance is located. This building is plainly adorned, with simple corner boards and moulded eaves. The tower has three visible sides with single hung windows located in each, and the rounded dome reflects this window fenestration with smaller windows in it.
The Majestic Theatre has historic value because it was the birthplace of the famous political riot of April 1932, in which two thousand people gathered there to march to the Colonial Building. The Colonial Building was damaged in the riot and Prime Minister Sir Richard Squires barely escaped lynching. The Majestic Theatre was also the site for Responsible Government rallies and the headquarters of the Confederate Party during the Confederation debate in 1948-49.
Source: City of St. John's Municipal Designation Files - 390 Duckworth Street, St. John's.
Character-Defining Elements
All those elements of vernacular commercial architecture, including:
-flat iron shaped footprint;
-domed tower with windows;
-plainly adorned facade;
-single hung windows;
-corner boards;
-moulded eaves;
-general massing and height;
-location on two city streets; and
-orientation, dimensions.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Authority
City of St. John's
Recognition Statute
Newfoundland and Labrador Urban and Rural Planning Act
Recognition Type
City of St. John's Heritage Building
Recognition Date
1989/07/21
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
- Architecture and Design
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Eating or Drinking Establishment
Historic
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
City of St. John's Archives, 3rd Floor Railway Coastal Museum, 495 Water Street, P.O. Box 908, St. John's, NL A1C 5M2
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
NL-2161
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a