Description of Historic Place

The Times Building consists of a rectangular three-story Italianate commercial structure located just north of Main Street on the west side of Botsford Street in Moncton.

Heritage Value

The Times Building was designated for its Italianate architecture and its level of preservation. Designed by Saint John architect H. H. Mott and constructed by contractor G. O. Dunham in 1902, this structure has maintained many of the distinctive features of this style, such as the rectangular massing, Roman arch door and window openings on the façade and overall symmetry. Although the interior has been remodelled on several occasions, the original support pillars and large timber joists have been preserved. The Times Building has also been designated for its importance in the history of communications in Moncton. An earlier wooden structure was erected on the site in 1868 for the Moncton Times newspaper founders, Thaddeus Stevens and Jim Brewster. Destroyed by fire and replaced in 1902 by this brick building, it remained the home of the Moncton Times, the Moncton Daily Times and the Times Printing Company until 1945. At that time Moncton Times and rival Moncton Transcript papers were purchased by Moncton Publishers Ltd. The two papers were amalgamated and continue to operate as the Moncton Times & Transcript. In 1996, the Times Building was designated as a Moncton Heritage Property under By-Law #Z-1102.

Source: Moncton Museum, Moncton, New Brunswick - second floor files – “18 Botsford”.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to location and context include:
- prominent downtown location near Main Street on the site of original Times wooden structure.

The character-defining elements relating to the exterior of the structure include:
- moulded cornice with modillions;
- symmetrical fenestration with 1 over 1 windows with rough cut lug sills and lintels;
- corbel band under entablature;
- band of date/inscription stones “1868 THE TIMES 1902”;
- straight hood moulding and Roman arch hood mould with round stops;
- Roman arch window and doors openings with keystones;
- rough cut stone stringcourse;
- Roman arch transom lights.

The character-defining structural elements include:
- Italianate architecture and design;
- three-story rectangular massing;
- butterfly roof;
- common bond red brick walls;
- fieldstone foundation;
- large timber joists;
- wooden support pillars.

The character-defining elements that relate to the interior include:
- exposed common bond brick;
- wooden timber window lintels and sills;
- round and square wooden support pillars;
- exposed original wooden joists.