Royal Edward Arms, Art Deco building in Thunder Bay, Ontario
The Royal Edward Arms is an eight-story Art Deco building at the corner of South May and George Streets in downtown Thunder Bay. Its reinforced concrete structure shows the continuous form created during construction, which defines its distinctive exterior lines.
The building was completed in 1929 with funding from local businessman Norman M. Paterson and initially operated as a hotel with more than 100 rooms. In 1985, it was transformed into residential housing providing around 60 apartments.
The building once welcomed notable visitors passing through Thunder Bay, and it remains a recognizable landmark in the downtown area. Today, passersby can spot its distinctive Art Deco features that reflect its past importance as a hotel.
The building is easy to locate since it stands at a main intersection in downtown Thunder Bay and is clearly visible from the street. As it now serves as residential housing, visitors can explore the exterior but interior access is limited.
The building was constructed using a special method where concrete was poured continuously rather than assembled in stages. This technique, called slipform construction, was innovative for its time and continues to shape the visible features of its facade.
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