Description of Historic Place

Classically inspired, Building D83 is a large, symmetrical, three-storey brick structure featuring brick pilasters that divide the elevations into multiple bays, broad pilasters and stepped parapets at the corners of the building, decorative brick detailing, and a concrete base. Building D83 is part of a grouping of historic warehouses and storage buildings clustered near the waterfront, immediately east of `A' Jetty within the Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building D83 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value:
Building D83 is associated with the development of Canadian west-coast naval defence during World War II. Constructed as a warehouse for oil storage, Building D83 represents the early phase of the expansion of Dockyard facilities during WWII, and was one of the principal warehouses in use at the Dockyard during this period.

Architectural value:
Building D83 is a very good example of modern warehouse and of functional, industrial architecture. It is a large, well-proportioned and symmetrical structure that features classically derived detailing typical of Public Works Department buildings of this period. Constructed of good quality materials and craftsmanship, the strong vertical emphasis of the exterior elevations is balanced by subtly detailed horizontal elements that consist of contrasting materials such as the concrete foundation and windowsills, and the continuous concrete band at the third floor window lintels.

Environmental value:
Building D83 forms part of a grouping of historic warehouses and storage buildings clustered near the waterfront, immediately east of `A' Jetty. Although constructed almost forty years later, Building D83's materials, scale and overall design are compatible with the adjacent RN warehouses D80 (1902) and D85 and the utilitarian character of the setting.

Sources:
Ian Doull, Dockyard, CFB Esquimalt (82 Buildings), Esquimalt, British Columbia. Federal
Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 89-202.

Building D83 (Former Oil Stores), CFB Esquimalt, Esquimalt, British Columbia. Heritage Character Statement 89-202.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of Building D83 should be respected, for example:

Its classically inspired and functional industrial architecture, and good quality materials and craftsmanship as manifested in:

-the scale, massing and well-proportioned, symmetrical composition of this large, three-storey, flat-roofed
brick structure;
-the strong vertical emphasis of the exterior elevations created by the brick pilasters which divide the main
elevation into multiple bays and the tower-like treatment of the corner bays which consist of broadened
pilasters ; balanced by,
-the horizontal elements that consist of contrasting materials such as the concrete foundation, window sills,
and continuous concrete band at the third floor window lintels;
-the regular arrangement of the wide, multi-paned industrial steel windows; and,
-the depth and texture of the exterior elevations created through the use of decorative, stepped brickwork at
the top portion of the pilasters and geometric brickwork patterns below the stepped parapets of the corner
bays.

The compatibility of the building with the utilitarian character of the setting as evidenced in:

-its materials, scale and design which are consistent with the adjacent RN warehouses D80 and D85;
-its relationship to the grouping of historic warehouses and storage buildings near the waterfront.