Saskatoon
HOME Spring 2008
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Historic Department Store Transforms into High-ceiling Urban Residential Units
2ndAvenue Those who always dreamed of living in a department store are now getting their chance. The former Bay department store on 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street has been morphed into 123 two-storey lofts – with retail and commercial space on the lower levels. The Hudson’s Bay Company originally purchased the former five-storey J. F. Cairns department store at this location in 1922 and occupied it for many years. Construction of a modern department store – the building currently on the site – began in 1959. It was built in two phases: the north half first, joined to the Cairns building which was demolished to make way for completion of the remaining half. The new store opened in 1960. The Bay operated it until moving into the former Photos left and right: Two-storey window openings, an addition at top and central skylight and atrium are giving the old Hudson’s Bay store at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street a new, cosmopolitan look. The newly renovated building will open as 2nd Avenue Lofts, containing 123 two-storey residential loft condominiums featuring 18-foot ceilings and open concept floor plans. Inset: The Hudson’s Bay Store, with its modernist style and mosaic panels, has been a landmark in downtown Saskatoon since 1960. The department store chain moved to Midtown Plaza in 2000, but the building will re-open as 2nd Avenue Lofts later this year. Photograph PH934413 courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library, Local History Room.
Eaton’s department store location in Midtown Plaza in 2000. The empty structure was promoted, without success, for use as a bookstore, a movie theatre, a new home for the public library, public school board offices and a call centre. However, by 2005, it had been purchased and construction was underway for a conversion to residential condominiums. Edmonton architect Gene Dub, who has won awards for his loft conversions in other cities, designed the architectural plan.
The former department store’s exterior walls were opened to permit installation of twostorey-tall windows. The interior escalator shaft was converted to a central skylight and atrium that allows natural light into the centre of the building. The 123 two-storey newly named 2nd Avenue Lofts range from 658 to 2500 square feet. Suites feature 18-foot ceilings, commercial-sized windows, open concept floor plans, balconies and underground parking. ■