Description of Historic Place

The Armoury, located on St. Catherine Street in a residential neighbourhood of Westmount is set in landscaped grounds planted with mature trees. The two-storey, red brick structure imparts a solid, military appearance with a twin-towered frontispiece and projecting pavilion ends. Flat-roofed administrative wings flank the large, gable-roofed drill hall. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value:
The Armoury is closely associated with the inter-war armoury building campaign and is one of twelve constructed between the First and Second World War. Under the program, the federal government funded construction of drill halls by local regiments. The Armoury was constructed during the inter-war expansion of the city to the north and west.

Architectural Value:
The Armoury is valued for its very good aesthetic design. Its stylized, streamlined appearance, simple form and Tudor Revival references are typical of drill halls erected in the inter-war period. The large scale of the building reflects its function as a training facility for large numbers of recruits. Its good functional design is seen in the large, open volume of the drill hall with its exposed iron Fink truss system. Very good craftsmanship is evident in the building’s white limestone detailing including the projecting arched head and stepped parapet over the troop door, the carved dropped label window heads, and the stone shields.

Environmental Value:
The Armoury is compatible with the present urban character of the medium-density, neighbourhood setting and is a familiar landmark in the neighbourhood.

Sources:
Jacqueline Hucker, St. Catherine St. Armoury, 4625 St Catherine Street, Westmount, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 91-029; Catherine St. Armoury, 4625 St Catherine Street, Westmount, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 91-029.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Armoury should be respected.

Its simplified Tudor Revival style, functional design, and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
- the building’s two-storey massing, symmetry, and proportions;
- the twin-towered frontispiece of the main facade with projecting pavilion ends and corner towers;
- the two-storey, gable-roofed drill hall;
- the symmetrical administrative wings that wrap the two-storey gable-roofed drill hall, and the corner towers with entrances;
- the use of Tudor Revival elements such as the projecting arched head and stepped parapet over the troop door, the carved dropped label window heads, and the stone shields;
- the large unobstructed drill hall with exposed iron Fink truss system.

The manner in which the St. Catherine Armoury is compatible with the urban character of the setting and is a familiar landmark in the area, as evidenced by:
- the scale, materials and stripped Tudor Revival style that make it both highly visible and compatible with its surrounding buildings in the medium density setting;
- its prominent location and specialized military role that make it a well-known community landmark.