Historic Tees and Persse building in Saskatoon up for heritage status
CTV
The 112-year-old Tees and Persse building may become Saskatoon’s latest municipal heritage property, as councillors mull the designation at Wednesday evening’s public hearings meeting.
The 112-year-old Tees and Persse building may become Saskatoon’s latest municipal heritage property, as councillors mull the designation at Wednesday evening’s public hearings meeting.
The proposal to designate the building as a heritage property lists some of its key features as the art deco influences in its ornamental cornice and sculpted detail around its windows, the Tees and Persse Limited sign on the front, painted wall sign on the south side of the building, and its brick façade.
Designed by architect William Fingland and built in 1911, the six-storey timber-framed, brick and stone structure exemplifies the Chicago style of architecture, according to the statement of significance sent to council.
It was originally three storeys, but was expanded to six in 1913 with the addition of 40,000 square feet of floor area.
“In addition to its architectural value, the Tees and Persse building is also valued for its historical and cultural significance in Saskatoon’s early years,” the statement said.
When the new Canadian Pacific rail line opened in the city in 1908, a special train was chartered to bring over prominent Winnipeg business owners to capitalize on the city’s economic potential, according to the backgrounder submitted to council.
“The result was that ten wholesalers committed their interest in establishing their operations in Saskatoon, including the Canadian longstanding Tees and Persse Company, whose headquarters was based in Winnipeg.”
