Hutchinson Building

The Hutchinson Building is a two-story commercial structure located at 144 2nd Avenue South in downtown Saskatoon. Its plum-colored brick facade is accented with Tyndall Stone trim, featuring oversized plate glass display windows and transom windows that allow light deep into the interior.

Construction began in 1923 in response to a major fire that devastated the downtown, designed by architect Frank P. Martin in the Classical style popular during that era. The building became a symbol of Saskatoon's recovery and the modernized commercial architecture that followed the disaster.

The building served as a neighborhood shopping destination where locals gathered for hardware and craft supplies for decades. It represents the kind of everyday commercial space that anchored downtown communities in the early 20th century.

The building sits right on a main downtown street and is easy to find and view from the sidewalk. Its prominent street-facing windows on both levels allow good views of the interior, though access may vary depending on current use.

Architect Frank P. Martin inscribed his signature directly into the building's stonework, marking his authorship in a permanent way. This personal touch is still visible today and adds a human connection to the structure that most visitors might not notice.