Description of Historic Place

The Birks Building is situated on the north side of Sparks Street in the core of Ottawa’s central business district. Flanked by other high-rise buildings, the façade features a tripartite division consisting of a base storey, an intervening tier of five storeys and a capping storey. The five-bay brick façade features narrow piers that separate large windows and give a vertical emphasis. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value:
The Birks Building is associated with the expansion and development of early 20th century Ottawa as expressed through purpose-built stores and office buildings. Selling luxury gifts, precious metals, and gems, Birks retail jewellery store catered to an elite clientele, including the Canadian and foreign governments.

Architectural Value:
The Birks Building is a good example of a structure whose details reflect modest stylistic references to the Beaux-Arts and Baroque. It is a very good example of a functional building in that it incorporates an innovative modern structural system which is clearly reflected through its exterior. It is constructed of reinforced concrete based on the Kahn system: steel members encased in concrete. This structure exhibits good quality craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value:
The Birks Building, on its unchanged site in the commercial core is compatible with Ottawa’s central business district and is familiar to residents.

Sources:
Dana Johnson, Birks Building, 107 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 85-022; Rosenthal Building / Birks Building, 107 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 85-022.

Character-Defining Elements

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

Its Beaux-Arts style, very good functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
-the vertical massing reflecting its structural system of steel encased in concrete;
-the symmetrical, five-storey facade with its tripartite division of a base storey, an intervening tier of five storeys and a capping storey divided by a row of balconies;
-the brick cladding;
-the Ionic columns marking the entrance, the Renaissance-inspired balconies and the balustrade.

The manner in which the Birks Building, on its unchanged site on Sparks Street, reinforces the commercial centre of downtown Ottawa and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by:
-the building’s on-going relationship to its streetscape and surrounding buildings;
-its Beaux-Arts design and materials that maintain a visual and physical
relationship to adjacent structures in the commercial core of downtown Ottawa;
-its distinctive ‘Birks’ marquee that makes it recognizable to people in the core.