David Ewart


David Ewart, ISO was a Canadian architect who served as Chief Dominion Architect from 1896 to 1914.
As chief government architect he was responsible for many of the federal buildings constructed in this period. He broke with the Neo-Gothic style adopted by his predecessors Thomas Seaton Scott and Thomas Fuller; rather he embraced the Baronial style exemplified in several important buildings.

Personal

Ewart was married to Jeanne Marie Doyen until her death in 1885 and then with Annie Sigsworth Simpson from 1887 to his death in 1921. His son John Albert Ewart was an acclaimed Ottawa architect.

Works


BuildingYear CompletedBuilderStyleLocationImage
Rideau Cottage1905David Ewart - 1905 rear additionOttawa, Ontario
Connaught Building1913David EwartBaronial styleOttawa, Ontario
Victoria Memorial Building1912David EwartBaronial styleOttawa, Ontario
Royal Canadian Mint1908David EwartBaronial styleOttawa, Ontario
Mappin Wing of Rideau Hall1913David EwartBaronial styleOttawa, Ontario
Customs Examining Warehouse, Sinclair Centre1911-1913David EwartScottish Baronial architectureVancouver, BC
Moose Jaw City Hall1914David EwartEdwardian ClassicalMoose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Strathcona Public Building1913David EwartBaronial styleEdmonton, Alberta
Post Office Building, Sinclair Centre1905-1910David EwartEdwardian Baroque architecture postal building, home to Postal Station A; clock by John Smith & Sons 1909Vancouver, British Columbia
Prince Edward Building1906David EwartBaronial styleRegina, Saskatchewan
Bowmanville Post OfficeDavid EwartBaronial styleBowmanville, Ontario
Humboldt Post Office1911David EwartBaronial styleHumboldt, Saskatchewan
Royal Military College of Canada Fort Lasalle Dormitory Building R331912David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
honours René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. The limestone carvings are of a crown, the initials GR, 'Dormitory', and 'RMC 1912'.
Royal Military College of Canada Building 9 Rideout Row 1908David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • after renovations known as Rideout Square;
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
Royal Military College of Canada Building 9a Rideout Row 1908David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • after renovations known as Rideout Square;
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
    • Royal Military College of Canada Gymnasium, Old Building R251903David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1989
    • Royal Military College of Canada Headquarters, Former RMC Riding Establishment, Building R51908David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
    • Royal Military College of Canada Panet House, Building R271903David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994 honours Lt Col. Charles-Eugène Panet
    • Royal Military College of Canada Tailor Shop, former Gun Shed, Building R241914David EwartBaronial styleKingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
    • Dominion Observatory, Carling Avenue1902David EwartBaronial styleCentral Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario
    Chief Astronomer's Residence1909David EwartBaronial styleCentral Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario
    Geodetic Survey Building1914David EwartBaronial styleCentral Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario

    As federal architect he oversaw the design and construction of several buildings at the Central Experimental Farm including the Dominion Observatory, Carling Avenue in 1902; Chief Astronomer's Residence, 1909; and the Geodetic Survey Building, 1914. He also oversaw the design and construction of numerous post offices.
    He oversaw the design and construction of numerous armouries across Canada.

    Alphabetical listing

    SiteDate & ArchitectDesignatedLocationDescriptionImage-
    Amherst Armoury, Acadia Street1914-1915 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1990 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsAmherst, Nova Scotialarge centrally-located stone and brick Baronial style building featuring two sturdy towers, a triple arched entrance way and a large drill hall-
    Brigadier Angle Armoury 720 Lawrence Avenue,1904 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1997 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsKelowna, British Columbiaone-storey, T-shaped Baronial style structure with a hipped-roof, clad in aluminum siding.-
    Baddeck Armoury1901 David EwartBaddeck, Nova Scotia
    • centrally-located Baronial style building with a hipped-roof
    		-
    Barrie Armoury 37 Parkside Dr, High Street1913-14 David Ewart1997 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsBarrie, Ontario
  • Housing The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, this large, mansard roofed Edwardian Baroque structure with sturdy projecting towers and a three-arched entrance is in a residential area near the centre of the city.
    		• -
    Beatty Street Drill Hall 620 Beatty Street at Dunsmuir Street1899-1900 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Vancouver landmark and class-A heritage buildingVancouver, British Columbiamassive, low-massed symmetrically composed Baronial style structure with two large castle-like turrets complete with battlements, whose main entrance is a central troop door-
    Beauport Armoury or Building 11913-4 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings;Beauport, QuebecCentrally located two-storey, red brick Baronial style drill hall with a low-pitched, gable-roof-
    Belleville Armoury, Bridge Street East at 187 Pinnacle Road1907-8 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places;1992 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsBelleville, Ontario
  • Housing The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, this centrally located, low-pitched gambrel-roofed, stone and brick Baronial style building features a pair of tall towers
    		• -
    Brampton Armoury 2 Chapel Street,1914-15 David Ewart1991 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsBrampton, Ontario
  • Housing "B" Company, 32 Canadian Brigade Group this centrally located, mid-size, rectangular Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Brandon Armoury 1116 Victoria Avenue,1907-8 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1994 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsBrandon, Manitoba
  • a solid looking Baronial style structure constructed of brick and stone featuring a three-storey midsection located in a mixed commercial and residential area
    		• -
    Brantford Armoury 18 Brant Avenue,1893 David Ewart1992 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsBrantford, Ontariocentrally located near the War Memoria; the Baronial style drill hall with a low-pitched gable roof is fronted by a monumental, fortress-like façade of brick and stone-
    Burford Armoury, King Street1905 David EwartBurford, Ontario
  • This centrally located, large, low-massed, structure in the Baronial style features a low-pitched gable roof.
    		• -
    Cambridge Armoury Ainslie Street South,1914-5 David Ewart1987 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsCambridge, Ontario
  • Housing The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, this centrally located, brick and stone Baronial style
    • structure features a façade, flanking towers and a low-pitched gable roof; it projects a solid, fortified appearance    		-
    Chatham Armoury, Colborne Street1905 David EwartChatham, Ontario
    • This Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
    		-
    Coaticook Armoury1914 David EwartCoaticook, Quebec
  • This Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Cobourg Armoury, King Street1904 David EwartCobourg, Ontario
  • This Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Connaught Armoury 85th Avenue1911 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • The oldest armoury in Alberta, this two-storey, rectangular brick Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof, was built in the historic district to house 19th Alberta Dragoons.
    		• -
    Colonel D. V. Currie VC Armoury, 1215 Main Street North,1913-14 David Ewart1998 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsMoose Jaw, Saskatchewan
  • large, low-massed Baronial style brick structure is located in a mixed commercial, recreational and residential neighbourhood.
  • Currently the home of the Saskatchewan Dragoons; it has housed 95th Saskatchewan Rifles, the 60th Rifles, the King’s Own Rifles of Canada, the 77th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, the 19th Medical Company, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, and the 142nd Transport Company, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
    		• -
    Dundas Armoury King Street at Market Street1900 David EwartDundas, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Durham Armoury, Garafraxa Street1908 David EwartDurham, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Enderby Drill Hall George Street1914 David EwartEnderby, British ColumbiaBuilt for $15,000 of Enderby bricks on donated land, the 42' x 92' Baronial style building has a birch floor and a single front door-
    Fraserville Armoury1910 David EwartFraserville, Quebec
  • Designed in a Baronial style, this centrally located massive, fortress-like building is centrally located.
    		• -
    Manège Henri-Julien, 3721 Henri Julien Street,1911 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsMontreal, Quebec
  • Housing Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, this centrally located Baronial style armoury is on a corner site, in a densely packed, mixed neighbourhood
    		• -
    Galt Armoury, Mill Street1914 David EwartGalt, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Guelph Armoury Farquahar Street at Huskinsson Street1906-7 David Ewart1991 Recognized on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings; Canada's Register of Historic PlacesGuelph, OntarioDesigned in a late Baronial style, this centrally located massive, fortress-like brick building is heavily ornamented and centrally located on a sloped site-
    JR Vicars Armoury, 1221 Mcgill Rd1902 David EwartKamloops, British Columbia
  • Housing The Rocky Mountain Rangers, this Baronial style structure is centrally located
    		• -
    Joliette Armoury, Park Street1909 David EwartJoliette, Quebec
  • This Baronial style structure is centrally located.
    		• -
    Kingston Drill Hall or 100 Montreal Street,1899-1899 David Ewart1989 Classified on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsKingston, Ontario
  • Housing The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment, this two-storey, heavy stone Baronial style structure is located in a residential and commercial district in the former Royal Artillery Park.
    		• -
    Lévis Armoury, 10 de l'Arsenal Street; St. David Street at St. Antoine Street,1911-4 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings;Lévis, Quebec
  • Housing Le Régiment de la Chaudière, this centrally located two-storey Baronial style
    • stone structure has a copper hipped roof.    		-
    London Armoury Dundas, Richmond, Wellington and King Street1902-3 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places;London, Ontario
    building has a low-pitched gable roof    		-
    Matane Armoury 374, St. Jerome Street1913 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsMatane, QuebecCentrally located two-storey, red brick Baronial style building with a green-painted, metal clad hipped roof-
    Colonel R. S. McLaughlin Armoury 53 Simcoe Street North1914 David EwartRecognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsOshawa, Ontariocentrally located, large Baronial style brick structure with a low-pitched gable roof on a compact site-
    Middleton Armoury 150 Commercial Street,1902 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1993 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsMiddleton, Nova ScotiaCentrally located, Baronial style building with wooden construction and classical detailing.-
    Minto Armoury St. Matthew's Avenue at Minto Street1914-15 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsWinnipeg, Manitobacentrally located large, red brick Baronial style structure, exemplified by sturdy, crenellated corner towers and low arched roof-
    Brigadier Murphy Armoury 29th & 21st Avenue, Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack1913 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1997 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsChilliwack, British ColumbiaDesigned from a standard plan, this two-storey Baronial style drill hall has simple horizontal massing and modest but strong detailing.-
    Napanee Armoury, Centre Street1914 David EwartNapanee, Ontariolarge centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof-
    Niagara Falls Armoury 5049 Victoria Avenue at South Street1907-10 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesNiagara Falls, Ontario
    • centrally located two-storey red brick and stone structure with a limestone foundation, featuring a triple Baronial style gothic arch and is surrounded by lawn, with flat, open grounds to the rear.
    Hudson's Bay Company Stables Ortona Armoury 9722 - 102 Street;1914 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesEdmonton, Albertarestored two-storey, U-shaped Baronial style building with load bearing brick walls and stone detailing-
    Pembroke Armoury 177 Victoria Street1913-14 David EwartRecognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsPembroke, Ontariolarge centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof-
    Portage la Prairie Armoury 143 Second Street,1912-13 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1998 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsPortage la Prairie Manitoba
  • Centrally located in a newer residential area, the two-storey, flat-roofed, red brick Baronial style
    • building has a stone basement and trim.    		-
    Rossland Armoury1904 David EwartRossland, British Columbia
    • Centrally located, the Baronial style building has a gable roof.
    		-
    Sussex Armoury1902 David EwartSussex, New Brunswick
  • Centrally located, the Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
    		• -
    Port Arthur Armoury, Park Street at Second Street1913-14 David EwartPort Arthur, Ontario
  • A large brick Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof is centrally located
    		• -
    Prince Albert Armoury 10th Street East and 8th Avenue East,1914 David EwartRecognized - 1988 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsPrince Albert, SaskatchewanA large brick Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof is centrally located on open terrain adjacent to exhibition grounds-
    Prince Edward Island Regiment Armoury, 33 Summer Street1910-1911 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesSummerside, Prince Edward Island
  • Centrally located stone and brick Baronial style building replaced an earlier military Drill Shed
    		• -
    Rimouski Armoury 65 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street East1910-11 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsRimouski, Quebec
  • Housing Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent, this centrally located red brick Baronial style structure`s compact, solid volume creates a strong visual presence
    		• -
    Rivière du Loup Armoury Joly Street1904 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesRivière-du-Loup, Quebeccentrally located, symmetrical Baronial style building whose two two-storey wings flank the dominant centre pavilion-
    Sherbrooke Armoury, 64 Belvedere Road South1907-8 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsSherbrooke, Quebec
  • Housing Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke, this large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof, has a large, unobstructed drill hall space
    		• -
    St. Catharines Armoury 81 Lake Street at Elizabeth Street1905 David EwartRecognized 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings;St. Catharines, Ontario
  • Housing The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, this centrally located large, brick Baronial style structure with a low-pitched gable roof, has a sturdy, military appearance
    		• -
    Saint-Hyacinthe Armoury 2155 Laframboise Blvd.1905-6 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places;Recognized - 2005 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsSaint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
  • Housing 6th Battalion of Royal 22e Régiment, this centrally-located brick and stone Baronial style building is composed of a drill hall, a simple rectangular block with a gable roof, and the north block.
    		• -
    St. Thomas Armoury Chester and Wilson Streets,1901-2 David EwartRecognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsSt. Thomas, Ontariocentrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance-
    Strathcona Armoury1911-12 David EwartStrathcona, Albertacentrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance-
    Strathroy Armoury Frank Street at James Street1907 David EwartStrathroy, Ontariocentrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance-
    Thunder Bay Armoury 317 Park Avenue,1913 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesThunder Bay, Ontario
  • Housing The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, this two-storey, gable-roofed Baronial style drill hall is centrally located.
    		• -
    Truro Armoury Wilson Street,1907 David EwartTruro, Nova Scotia
  • Housing The Nova Scotia Highlanders, this centrally located box-like Baronial style building with a flat roof was designed with classical inspiration.
    		• -
    North Vancouver Armoury 15th Street at Forbes Avenue1914 David EwartNorth Vancouver, British Columbia
  • centrally located box-like Baronial style building with a flat roof with classical inspiration.
    		• -
    Virden Armoury1913 David EwartVirden, Manitoba
  • this gable-roofed Baronial style drill hall is centrally located.
    		• -
    Walkerton Armoury1907 David EwartWalkerton, Ontario
  • this gable-roofed Baronial style drill hall is centrally located.
    		• -
    Maj FA Tilson VC Armoury 353, Freedom Way,1899-02 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic PlacesWindsor, Ontario
  • Housing The Essex and Kent Scottish, this two-storey, red brick Richardson Baronial style structure with a three-storey tower is centrally-located.
    		• -
    Woodstock Armoury Chapel Street1904-5 David EwartCanada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage BuildingsWoodstock, New Brunswick
  • Centrally localled, symmetrical Baronial style building with two two-storey wings flanking a central pavilion
    		• -
    His son John Albert Ewart was also a prominent Ottawa architect.
    In 1903, he was awarded the Imperial Service Order.