Newfoundland & Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Opinion

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PAM FRAMPTON: Does St. John’s have the most unattractive city hall in Canada?

Across Atlantic Canada, city halls in capitol cities are beautiful - except in St. John's, which has a "grey concrete bunker"

Fredericton’s is distinguished-looking, with a proud bearing. Built in the Second Empire Style between 1875 and 1876, it is a national historic site.

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Charlottetown’s was built a little later, in 1887 to 1888, in the Romanesque Revival Style, with a handsome pyramidal tower and belfry and large arched windows. It is also a national historic site and one of Charlottetown’s most recognizable landmarks.

Halifax has a magnificent Second Empire-inspired edifice with a verdigris roof capping an impressive seven-storey clock tower and fine dormer windows. Built between 1887 and 1890, it was recognized as a national historic site for the “actual and symbolic centrality” it holds “in the lives of Haligonians.”

Do you see where I’m going with this?

Canadian cities, and particularly capital cities, tend to want to make a statement — and sometimes a grand one — in fashioning their seat of municipal government.

The buildings should exude personality — confidence, competence, civic........

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