Place Description
The former Bank of Prince Edward Island / Customs House building is located on historic Great George Street in Charlottetown. The 3 storey Italianate structure faces onto the tree lined street which is home to many other prominent buildings. The designation includes the footprint of the building.
Why is this place important?
The Customs House is a significant example of the Italianate style of architecture in Charlottetown and is representative of the earliest brick construction of public buildings in the city. It stands as a symbol of the economic development of Prince Edward Island and of the craftsmanship available at the time of its construction in the late 1860s. It was designed by the architect, David Stirling, of local material.
The Bank of PEI began in 1856 and a decade later the sum of 3000 Pounds was set aside to finance the construction of this building on Great George Street, in view of the provincial legislature and prominently close to the commerical centre of the city. The Bank became insolvent in 1882 in the midst of an accounting scandal and the premises was soon assumed by other financial institutions. It later became the headquarters for several Dominion Government agencies, such as: the Department of Marine and Fisheries and later served as a Customs House.
Source: PEI Heritage Advisory Committee Files
Special Characteristics
The following elements contribute to the heritage value of the Customs House building:
- the solid brick construction
- the three storeys and symmetrical facade
- pairs of semi-circular headed windows; a characteristic of the Italianate style
- the low pitched roof
