Landmark Building
UNION BANK
10053 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton
Built in 1910
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The Union Bank building is the only pre-World War I bank remaining in downtown Edmonton. Typically, banks were constructed in a classical style at that period. Ancient Greek or Roman architecture served as a pattern for most, but the inspiration for the design of the Union Bank was the Italian Renaissance. The Edmonton Bulletin described it as “a somewhat new departure in bank buildings in Edmonton.” Telltale features include the rusticated ground floor, the combination of open-bed pediments with oversize keystones above the second floor windows, and the open-topped segmental arch pediment and heavily rusticated pairs of columns which originally framed the entrance. The façade of local pressed brick and Indiana limestone concealed a modern, fire-proof, steel and brick structure. The Union Bank was designed by Edmonton architect Roland Lines, and built in 1910 at a cost of $60,000. It is interesting to compare this building with the contemporary Canada Permanent Building, which was also designed by Lines.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Historical Walking Tours of Downtown, 2004, Centennial edition of the brochure. Planning and Development Department, City of Edmonton, and Alberta Community Development., 2004, with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.