Merchants Bank of Halifax, Sydney NS([1901-3])
Charlotte and Dorchester Streets, Sydney, NS, Canada
Commercial, Bank [basement, 2 floors]; brick; stone; composite

Client: Merchants Bank of Halifax
Architect: E. Maxwell

Description: The Merchants Bank of Halifax in Sydney was commissioned to Edward Maxwell just before the bank changed its name to the Royal Bank of Canada (596) in 1901. This bank is similar to the one Edward designed at Grand Forks in British Columbia [the Merchants Bank of Halifax (160)]. The corner building is a one-storey stone structure with a basement and a mezzanine. The building adopts Neo-Classical features and gives great prominence to the fa�ades facing Charlotte Street and Dorchester Street. A circular dome with a finial on top sits at the centre of the building over the mezzanine giving the sense of large volume to the interior space. The main entrance to the building is located along the fa�ade facing Dorchester Street and is divided into three bays dominated by giant order rusticated pilasters with Ionic details. These pilasters support the projected cornice and rest on a generous plinth. The entrance doorway, which is located in the central bay, is denoted by the bank�s coat of arms. A large pediment with elaborately bordered panels with a round and oval cartouche of Beaux-Arts style is designed above the projected cornice sheltering the entrance. The remaining two bays contain a full-height windows topped by pediments, creating a perfect symmetry to the fa�ade. The elevation along Charlotte Street is elegantly treated with the pilasters, which divides the fa�ade into eight bays. The bays at the two ends are topped with pediments to emphasize the edges. The remaining bays contain full height arched windows decorated with keystones. The rusticated pilasters, the wall and windows with keystone decoration, gives a good contrast to the plain cornice, parapet and pediments.

Holdings: Bank (basement, 2 floors); brick; stone; composite
9 Drawings: 8 ink on linen; 1 blueprint
1 Development drawing: floor plan
7 Working drawings: floor plans, ceiling plan, roof plan, elevations, section
1 Detail drawing: banking hall

	I M A G E S: Drawings
Merchants Bank of Halifax, Sydney NS([1901-3]) Charlotte and Dorchester Streets, Sydney, NS, Canada Commercial, Bank [basement, 2 floors]; brick; stone; composite Client: Merchants Bank of Halifax Architect: E. Maxwell Description: The Merchants Bank of Halifax in Sydney was commissioned to Edward Maxwell just before the bank changed its name to the Royal Bank of Canada (596) in 1901. This bank is similar to the one Edward designed at Grand Forks in British Columbia [the Merchants Bank of Halifax (160)]. The corner building is a one-storey stone structure with a basement and a mezzanine. The building adopts Neo-Classical features and gives great prominence to the fa�ades facing Charlotte Street and Dorchester Street. A circular dome with a finial on top sits at the centre of the building over the mezzanine giving the sense of large volume to the interior space. The main entrance to the building is located along the fa�ade facing Dorchester Street and is divided into three bays dominated by giant order rusticated pilasters with Ionic details. These pilasters support the projected cornice and rest on a generous plinth. The entrance doorway, which is located in the central bay, is denoted by the bank�s coat of arms. A large pediment with elaborately bordered panels with a round and oval cartouche of Beaux-Arts style is designed above the projected cornice sheltering the entrance. The remaining two bays contain a full-height windows topped by pediments, creating a perfect symmetry to the fa�ade. The elevation along Charlotte Street is elegantly treated with the pilasters, which divides the fa�ade into eight bays. The bays at the two ends are topped with pediments to emphasize the edges. The remaining bays contain full height arched windows decorated with keystones. The rusticated pilasters, the wall and windows with keystone decoration, gives a good contrast to the plain cornice, parapet and pediments. Holdings: Bank (basement, 2 floors); brick; stone; composite 9 Drawings: 8 ink on linen; 1 blueprint 1 Development drawing: floor plan 7 Working drawings: floor plans, ceiling plan, roof plan, elevations, section 1 Detail drawing: banking hall
I M A G E S: Drawings
B A C K T O R E S U L T S N E W S E A R C H