Landmark Building

ATHLONE APARTMENTS

330 -19 Avenue SW, Calgary
Built By: Arthur Cumming Ltd
Built in 1940

The grounds of Judge Charles-Borromée Rouleau's mansion, Castel aux Prés, originally occupied this site and that of the office building to the west. The Athlone Apartments, named for the Earl of Athlone, Governor General of Canada at the time, was built in 1940 by Arthur Cumming Ltd. Cumming was a successful Calgary businessman. He was the president of Electrical Wholesalers Ltd., and the manager of Medicine Hat Greenhouses. By 1987, the building had been renamed Leah Manor.

Several low-rise apartment blocks were built in the area in the 1940s, but this one is the largest and one of the most interesting. Like most of the brick buildings in the area, it is actually a wood frame structure, faced with brick veneer. It features elements of classical revival architecture, such as the pilasters, and the decorative lintels over the windows and doorway, but breaks with classical tradition in its lack of a cornice. The main entrance has two features that were considered innovative at the time: a wall of glass blocks surrounding the door, and vitrolite paneling. Built with highquality materials and set back from the street with a spacious front lawn, this 46-suite apartment building was more luxurious than others in the neighbourhood.

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 Calgary Historical Walking Tour: Mission and Cliff Bungalow. Alberta Community Development and the City of Calgary, 2001., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.