Description of Historic Place

51 Prince Street is a three storey wood framed apartment building which has been covered in brick. It features a symmetrical facade with an array of six over six windows. It also exhibits both Georgian and Italianate style influences. It is located on the corner of Prince Street and Dorchester Street. The designation encompasses the building's exterior and parcel; it does not include the building's interior.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of 51 Prince Street lies in its role as one of the earliest wooden brick encased buildings in Charlottetown; its Georgian and Italianate influenced architecture; and its role in supporting the streetscape.

51 Prince Street was built for James Costello in 1872. While common now, wooden buildings with an exterior clad in brick were rare in the 1870s. Two factors indicate that the building was originally constructed of wood. When local newspapers described the construction of 51 Prince Street, only carpenter, William Wright was listed as being in charge. If the walls had been load bearing, a mason would have been employed. Also, the fact that the bricks are all laid on their sides and there are no bonding end bricks, indicates that the structure is actually wooden underneath.

The building at 51 Prince Street is Georgian influenced in style but also shows some Italianate influences. The Georgian style is one of the most common architectural styles on Prince Edward Island. It emerged from 18th Century Britain and was intent on expressing confidence, order and balance. Combined with the brick exterior of this building, the result was intended to impress. 51 Prince Street's Georgian features include the symmetrical facade with five bays and a central doorway. The Italianate style was a more decorative style reminiscent of the Venetian arcades of the Renaissance period. Italianate influences can be seen in the slightly arched windows and the flat roof.

A for sale item appeared in the 1950s indicating that 51 Prince Street, or what was called the Windsor Apartments, was being offered for sale by the estate of contractor, A.T. MacKinnon. It is not clear to whom the home sold, however in the early 1970s, a Mr. Robertson owned the building.

51 Prince Street remains a well-kept apartment building among a number of heritage homes and buildings. It plays an important role in supporting the Prince and Dorchester Street streetscapes.

Sources: Heritage Office, City of Charlottetown Planning Department, PO Box 98, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2
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Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements contribute to the heritage value of 51 Prince Street:

- The overall square massing of the building with its three storeys
- The symmetrical facade and brick construction
- The pattern of the brickwork, particularly the window arches
- The size and placement of the windows, particularly the symmetrically placed six over six sash windows of the facade with slight arching above and stone sills
- The size and centre placement of the door with a large transom light above and sidelights
- The centrally placed small gabled porch with supporting brackets
- The flat roof with wooden cornice

Other character-defining elements include:

- The location of the building on the corner of Prince Street and Dorchester Street and its physical and visual relationship to its streetscape