Landmark Building
GIBSON BLOCK
9608 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton
Designed By: A.W. Cowley
Built in 1913
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William Gibson, a realtor who listed his profession as “Gentleman” on the certificate of title for this property, is the namesake of this eccentrically shaped building. The first flat-iron block – so-called because its wedge-shaped floorplan was reminiscent of the household appliance – appeared in New York in 1902. Such buildings became popular across North America before World War I as a means of salvaging real estate previously considered unusable. Architect A.W. Cowley designed the Gibson Block, constructed in 1913, in the characteristic triangular plan shape to fit an awkward lot unsuitable for a standard office building. Turkish Baths occupied the basement and the ground floor commercial retail shopfronts were girdled with a continuous wall of glass. In 1914, the Gibson block was sold and the offices on the upper floors were converted to apartments. The name of the building changed to the Schubert and Wenzel Block, but was changed back at some date. Other flatiron blocks were built in Alberta, but this is the finest example. The Gibson Block was designated a Registered Historical Resource by the Province in 1978, and was purchased by the City of Edmonton and designated as a Municipal Historical Resource in 1994. It was also upgraded to a Provincial Historical Resource in that year, and was extensively renovated and restored by the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation to serve as a women’s shelter.
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.