One of the oldest buildings in Alberta is getting a new lease on life. The Province of Alberta is working with Group2 Architecture and Chandos Construction to restore the Land Titles Building on 100 Avenue and 106 Street, with the goal or re-purposing it as an Industrial Health Laboratory.

Land Titles Building restoration, photo by Dave Sutherland

The Land Titles Building was constructed in 1893 as the Land, Timber and Registry Office for the Alberta Region of the North-West Territories, which occupied the building until 1912. The building was converted to the Victoria Armouries in 1915, hosting three regiments in succession until 1948. The building received designation as a Provincial Historic Resource in 1977.

Land Titles Building in 1912, photo via Glenbow Archives

Work has already been underway for much of the year; the building was lifted and a new foundation poured below it in the spring. Exterior stucco - a late addition to the building - is now being removed to expose the original brick as well as the original stone nameplate above the front entry, while interior remediation work also progresses.

Lifting the building off its foundation in March 2019, photo by Dave Sutherland

Once the restoration work is complete, the Province is planning to add a new expansion on the south side of the building to create more useable space for the future lab.

Exposed brick on the annex, photo by Dave Sutherland

Though visually a bit of an anomaly being surrounded by modern blocky downtown office buildings, the Land Titles Building is an important piece of Edmonton and Alberta history, and this restoration will help it stand out and shine for many more years to come.

Original stone nameplate, photo by Dave Sutherland

SkyriseEdmonton will continue to follow this project as it progresses. More information can be found in the project Database. What do you think of this restoration project? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion in our Forum.