Description of Historic Place

Edward Bates Office is a wooden two-storey Queen Anne Revival style building with an elaborate central pediment above the eaves and a central Palladian window. It is located on Duke Street within the Trinity Royal Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

Edward Bates Office is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with Edward Bates.

Edward Bates Office is one of a collection of commercial and residential buildings that were built after two thirds of the City of Saint John was destroyed by fire in 1877. From the late 1890’s to the early twentieth century, a building boom swept the City and several empty lots were filled. Although the architectural detailing was generally simplified, many of these buildings shared features with their older counterparts. Although primarily a residential area, a few businesses have been located along Duke Street as well, particularly since the 1910’s and 1920’s. This has allowed for an interesting mix, making the history of Duke Street a unique and fascinating one. Built in 1912, Edward Bates Office is an example of wooden Queen Anne Revival commercial architecture from the rebuilding period in Saint John. This style is evident in such details as the Palladian window and the off-centre entrance.

Edward Bates Office is also recognized for its association with Edward Bates and his business. Operating out of Saint John for close to fifty years, he was reputed to have been one of the best known contractors of the city in his time. After working as a foreman in the business of William L. Prince, he established his own business as a building contractor. By 1912, the needs of the firm had grown to such an extent that an office space was required and this building served that purpose. Responsible for such buildings as Holy Trinity Church, the Provincial Hospital Annex, the Church of the Assumption and several private residences, Bates gained a reputation as a highly skilled craftsman. He retired in 1929, handing the management of the business to his sons, Edward R. and Jack M. Bates. During his lifetime, Bates was also an active member of the community. A member of the Scottish Rite Masons and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, he was appointed Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge and remained so for several years. The contracting business he began operated out of this building for over thirty years until 1946.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements that describe the Queen Anne Revival architecture of Edward Bates Office include:
- the tall, two-storey proportions of the rectangular plan;
- elaborate pediment over the eaves of the front façade;
- clapboard siding with thin corner boards;
- scrolled brackets and modillions ornamenting center of the cornice;
- central Palladian window with ornate, scrolled woodwork and small pilasters ;
- vertical sliding wood windows;
- street-level storefront with cornice, fascia, wooden pilasters, multi-paned transom windows, storefront windows and wooden bulk-heads;
- off-centre entrance with multi-paned transom window.