If you believe the popular misconception that heritage buildings are just old buildings, then you might be surprised to hear that age is not the main consideration when evaluating a building’s historical significance. Yes, most buildings must be at least 50 years old to qualify for the Register and Inventory of Historic Resources in Edmonton, but not every 50-year old building is historic. If that were the case half the buildings in Edmonton would be eligible for heritage grants and the City would be broke in no time!
Rather than solely using age to determine heritage, we at the Heritage Conservation Unit with the City, along with our partners at the Edmonton Historical Board, look at the building’s history, its architecture, its potential to provide new information, and its role as a landmark in the city or community. These criteria are used by all municipalities in Alberta, and are similar to those used throughout Canada. (Link to the Amending the Inventory page for a full breakdown of the criteria used.)
Some buildings might be associated with important historical figures in Edmonton, like the John McNeil Residence, or with an important theme in our past, like the CPR Station in Old Strathcona. Others might have a particularly striking design or important examples of an architectural style, like the Gibson Block or the Hyndman Residence. Still others are valued for their prominence in Edmonton’s physical and psychological landscape, like the MacDonald Hotel.
Most buildings on the City’s Register and Inventory of Historic Resources are valued for more than just one reason, but all are valued for more than just being old. An old building that doesn’t have the added value of history, architecture, or place in the community is just an old building. However, when it adds to our sense of identity and sense of place because of its architecture and historical associations, it’s not just an old building, it’s heritage.
For more information about the Register and Inventory of Historic Resources in Edmonton, check out the Edmonton Historical Board’s newsletter Building Heritage.