Landmark Building

CALGARY COURTHOUSE #2

530 - 7th Avenue, Calgary
Designed By: A.M. Jeffers and R.P. Blakey
Built in 1914

This was the second courthouse built in Calgary; the first had been built on the same block in 1886 by the Federal government. This building was designated by Provincial Architect A.M. Jeffers, whose other design credits include the Legislature Building in Edmonton. During construction, A.M. Jeffers was replaced by R.P. Blakey, who modified some of the features of Jeffers’ design, but left it largely intact.

The Courthouse is an austere Classical Revival structure, and one of the last buildings in Calgary to use sandstone. The design is restrained, with the major decoration reserved for the impressive main entrance, which features a rusticated arched doorway. The rustication extended to the second storey, which is further ornamented by Doric columns and massive brackets. A heavy dentillated cornice tops the two storey ashlar-faced structure.

Between 1964 and 1975 the Courthouse was the home of the Glenbow-Alberta Institute, and since 1986 has returned to service as the Provincial Court of Appeal. In 1977 it was designated a Provincial Historical Resource.

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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: Stephen Avenue and Area Historical Walking Tour. Alberta Culture, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.