Our City: The Prince Edward Building

Written By REM Museum

The Old Post Office with streetcar out front, 1920. Credit: Saskatchewan Archives.

On 1801 Scarth Street, in the midst of Regina’s bustling city center, stands one of the oldest remaining structures in the city’s downtown area. It is now referred to as the Prince Edward Building.

Designed by Chief Architect for the Dominion of Canada David Ewart, the original construction occurred between 1906-1909, with the identifiable bell tower being added in 1912. Ewart served as Chief Architect between 1896-1914 and during his career he was responsible for designing many federal buildings across Canada. The building designs were inspired by the Beaux-Arts style that was taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. The architectural style included the incorporation of French neoclassical principles and Edwardian classical features as well as Renaissance and Baroque elements. The use of the Beaux-Arts architectural style for federal government buildings was meant to make a beautiful and imposing federal presence that would be recognizable to the public in larger Canadian cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, and Regina. An addition to the building was constructed 1929-1931. It was designed by the architectural firm of Storey and Van Egmond under the direction of Chief Dominion Architect Thomas Fuller. Some of the stunning characteristics of the structure include stone projections with intricately carved pediments, a rusticated stone base, and the Classical components of Ionic columns and pilasters.

The Post Office in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1912. Now the Prince Edward Building. Credit: Saskatchewan Archives.

This building can be valued as a prominent heritage site in Regina since it has been continuously recycled and reused as a workspace for multiple different government departments and businesses since its construction. The Prince Edward Building originally functioned as a space for the Post Office and the Customs and Inland Revenue departments from 1907-1962. It also housed the Provincial Legislature before the Legislative building was completed in 1912. In addition to this, when the RCMP became responsible for the policing of Saskatchewan after 1928, their district headquarters were set up in the Prince Edward Building. Eventually the building was purchased by the City of Regina and converted into a city hall until a new city hall was opened in 1976. 

In 1981, The Globe Theatre - which was founded in 1966 by Ken and Sue Kramer, gained a permanent residence on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building. In February 1982, the Prince Edward building was declared as a Municipal Heritage Property after its decades of service to the Regina community as a government location. Within the building, The Globe Theatre grew to be Saskatchewan’s largest performing arts organization. In fact, the theatre was so successful that it was able to secure the funds to officially purchase the Prince Edward Building after more than thirty years of renting. 

But why is it called the Prince Edward Building?

It is because the building was officially renamed when Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh - the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - visited The Globe Theatre in 2003! 

Today, the building is still home to The Globe Theatre and multiple shops since the main floor has been converted into a commercial mall. 



The Prince Edward Building, 2024. Credit: Globe Theatre Official Website

REM Museum
Previous

Our City: Harry Daniels
Next

Our City: Albert Street Memorial Bridge