Bank of British North America Building, Commercial heritage building in St. John's, Canada.
The Bank of British North America Building is a three-story stone structure on Duckworth Street displaying Renaissance Revival design elements throughout its facade. Its rectangular windows and ornamental stone cornices reflect the craftsmanship typical of 19th-century construction.
The structure was built in 1849 following St. John's devastating fire that year and served as the region's first commercial bank. It survived the 1892 fire, making it an important survivor from that era of rebuilding and growth.
The building now houses the Anna Templeton Centre, where locals attend workshops and art classes taught by instructors throughout the year. It has become a gathering place for people interested in traditional crafts and creative learning.
The building sits in downtown St. John's within walking distance of other heritage sites and local shops. You can view the original stone exterior from the street, while the interior hosts regular classes and workshops throughout the year.
The building changed banking institutions multiple times, housing the Bank of British North America, then the Commercial Bank, and eventually the Newfoundland Savings Bank. This journey from finance to arts education shows how the structure adapted to serve different community needs over generations.
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