Description of Historic Place

The Victoria Block consists of an Italianate two-storey retail and residential structure constructed of red brick with ornate parapets and wooden storefronts. It is located at the corner of Main Street and Robinson Court in Moncton.

Heritage Value

The Victoria Block was designated for its Italianate architecture that represents the evolution of the community towards incorporation in 1890. It was originally a roller skating rink built in 1884 for a business group from Calais, Maine, who formed the “Moncton Roller Rink Company”.

S. O. Sawyer of Calais, Maine was the contractor supervisor, and architect of the original structure. He used local contractors Lea, Rogers and Scott for various aspects of construction. Its evolution into a commercial and residential space began in 1887 when purchased by the landowner, W. J. Robinson. The roller rink’s original design is apparent in the existing decorated parapets.

The Victoria Block was also designated for its level of preservation that embodies, to this day, the period before its incorporation and its economic fate. In addition to the original section, the current design of the rest of the structure is the result of changes made by Lester H. Higgins when he purchased the building in 1916. Mr. Higgins changed the exterior from wood to brick and was soon forced to remodel the interior a second time after fire gutted the retail spaces.

The Victoria Block was also designated for its notable long-term occupants. Keating’s Tobacco Shop has occupied the prominent corner location since purchasing the Harold G. Cole Tobacco business in 1930. Harold G. Cole had been in this location since 1915.

In 1996, the Victoria Block was designated a Heritage Property through the City of Moncton Heritage Preservation By-Law #Z-1102.

Source: Moncton Museum, Moncton, New Brunswick - second floor files – “817-831 Main Street”.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to location and context include:
- location on the site of the Victoria Block skating rink.

Beyond the original parapets, the heritage elements that remain are of the post-1916 fire design.

The character-defining elements relating to the exterior elements of the structure include:
- gabled and decorated parapets;
- corbelled brickwork pattern in parapet tympanum;
- window triplet under gabled parapet;
- modillions under moulded cornice;
- paired brick and moulded corbel brackets under parapet entablature;
- wooden storefronts;
- storefront entablature with recessed panels and corbel brackets;
- store bulkheads;
- brick stringcourse;
- plain lug sills;
- plain lintels;
- rectangular 1 over 1 windows;
- corner entrance at Main Street and Robinson Court.

The character-defining elements relating to the structural elements of the building include:
- red brick walls in Flemish common bond;
- support beams consisting of paired railway rails.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior elements of the structure include:
- moulded wood trim at storefront;
- original jewellery store moulded wooden shelving, display cases, cabinets;
- wooden ceiling moulding and baseboards;
- hardwood floors;
- embossed tin ceiling panels and ceiling moulding;
- embossed wall patterns;
- cast iron radiator;
- exposed brick chimney;
- egg-and-dart ceiling moulding;
- framed original barber shop advertisements.