David Ewart, ISO (18 February 1841 – 6 June 1921) was a Canadian architect who served as Chief Dominion Architect from 1896 to 1914.

David Ewart
David Ewart, 1901
Born(1841-02-18)18 February 1841
Died6 June 1921(1921-06-06) (aged 80)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
OccupationArchitect
AwardsImperial Service Order.
PracticeChief Dominion Architect
BuildingsConnaught Building, Victoria Memorial Building, Royal Canadian Mint

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

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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."David Ewart". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016. His son John Albert Ewart was an acclaimed Ottawa architect.

Works

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Building Year Completed Builder Style Location Image
Rideau Cottage 1905 David Ewart - 1905 rear addition Georgian Revival Ottawa, Ontario
Connaught Building 1913 David Ewart Tudor-Gothic Ottawa, Ontario  
Victoria Memorial Building 1912 David Ewart Baronial style Ottawa, Ontario  
Royal Canadian Mint 1908 David Ewart Tudor-Gothic Ottawa, Ontario  
Mappin Wing (or front facade) of Rideau Hall 1913 David Ewart Baronial style Ottawa, Ontario  
Customs Examining Warehouse, Sinclair Centre 1911-1913 David Ewart Scottish Baronial architecture Vancouver, BC  
Moose Jaw City Hall 1914 David Ewart Edwardian Classical Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan  
Strathcona Public Building 1913 David Ewart Baronial style Edmonton, Alberta  
Post Office Building, Sinclair Centre
(home to Postal Station A; clock by John Smith & Sons, 1909)
1905-1910 David Ewart Edwardian Baroque architecture Vancouver, British Columbia  
Prince Edward Building 1906 David Ewart Baronial style Regina, Saskatchewan  
Bowmanville Post Office David Ewart Baronial style Bowmanville, Ontario
Humboldt Post Office 1911 David Ewart Baronial style Humboldt, Saskatchewan  
Royal Military College of Canada Fort Lasalle Dormitory Building R33 1912 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1990 [1]

honours René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. The limestone carvings are of a crown, the initials GR (for George V), 'Dormitory', and 'RMC 1912'.

 
Royal Military College of Canada Building 9 Rideout Row (1908) 1908 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • after renovations known as Rideout Square;
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
Royal Military College of Canada Building 9a Rideout Row (1908) 1908 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • after renovations known as Rideout Square;
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994
Royal Military College of Canada Gymnasium, Old Building R25 1903 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1989
 
Royal Military College of Canada Headquarters, Former RMC Riding Establishment, Building R5 1908 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994 [2]
 
Royal Military College of Canada Panet House, Building R27 1903 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario  
Royal Military College of Canada Tailor Shop, former Gun Shed, Building R24 1914 David Ewart Baronial style Kingston, Ontario
  • recognized Federal Heritage Building 1994 [4]
 
Dominion Observatory, Carling Avenue 1902 David Ewart Baronial style Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario  
Chief Astronomer's Residence 1909 David Ewart Baronial style Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario
Geodetic Survey Building 1914 David Ewart Baronial style Central 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 (such as the Humboldt Post Office). He oversaw the design and construction of numerous armouries across Canada.

Alphabetical listing (by community) of Canadian Army Reserve Armouries

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Site Date(s) & Architect Designated Location Description Image
Amherst Armoury, Acadia Street 1914-1915 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1990 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Amherst, Nova Scotia large 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 Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1997 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Kelowna, British Columbia one-storey, T-shaped Baronial style structure with a hipped-roof, clad in aluminum siding.
Baddeck Armoury[dubiousdiscuss] 1901 David Ewart Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Barrie Armoury 37 Parkside Dr, High Street 1913-14 David Ewart 1997 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Barrie, Ontario  
Beatty Street Drill Hall 620 Beatty Street at Dunsmuir Street 1899-1900 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Vancouver landmark and class-A heritage building Vancouver, British Columbia massive, 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 1 1913-4 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings; Beauport, Quebec Centrally located two-storey, red brick Baronial style drill hall with a low-pitched, gable-roof
Belleville Armoury, Bridge Street East at 187 Pinnacle Road 1907-8 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places;1992 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Belleville, Ontario
Brampton Armoury 2 Chapel Street, 1914-15 David Ewart 1991 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Brampton, Ontario  
Brandon Armoury 1116 Victoria Avenue, 1907-8 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1994 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Brandon, 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 Ewart 1992 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Brantford, Ontario centrally 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 Street 1905 David Ewart Burford, 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 Ewart 1987 Recognized - Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Cambridge, Ontario

structure features a façade, flanking towers and a low-pitched gable roof; it projects a solid, fortified appearance

Chatham Armoury, Colborne Street 1905 David Ewart Chatham, Ontario
Coaticook Armoury 1914 David Ewart Coaticook, Quebec
Cobourg Armoury, King Street 1904 David Ewart Cobourg, Ontario
Connaught Armoury 85th Avenue 1911 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Edmonton, 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 Ewart 1998 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Dundas Armoury King Street at Market Street 1900 David Ewart Dundas, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
Durham Armoury, Garafraxa Street 1908 David Ewart Durham, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
Enderby Drill Hall George Street 1914 David Ewart Enderby, British Columbia Built 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 Armoury 1910 David Ewart Fraserville, 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 Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Montreal, Quebec  
Galt Armoury, Mill Street 1914 David Ewart Galt, Ontario
  • large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
Guelph Armoury Farquahar Street at Huskinsson Street 1906-7 David Ewart 1991 Recognized on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings; Canada's Register of Historic Places Guelph, Ontario Designed 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 Rd 1902 David Ewart Kamloops, British Columbia
Joliette Armoury, Park Street 1909 David Ewart Joliette, Quebec
Kingston Drill Hall or 100 Montreal Street, 1899-1899 David Ewart 1989 Classified on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Kingston, Ontario
Lévis Armoury, 10 de l'Arsenal Street; St. David Street at St. Antoine Street, 1911-4 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings; Lévis, Quebec

stone structure has a copper hipped roof.

London Armoury Dundas, Richmond, Wellington and King Street 1902-3 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; London, Ontario

building has a low-pitched gable roof

 
Matane Armoury 374, St. Jerome Street 1913 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Matane, Quebec Centrally located two-storey, red brick Baronial style building with a green-painted, metal clad hipped roof
Colonel R. S. McLaughlin Armoury 53 Simcoe Street North 1914 David Ewart Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Oshawa, Ontario centrally located, large Baronial style brick structure with a low-pitched gable roof on a compact site
Middleton Armoury 150 Commercial Street, 1902 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1993 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Middleton, Nova Scotia Centrally located, Baronial style building with wooden construction and classical detailing.
Minto Armoury St. Matthew's Avenue at Minto Street 1914-15 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Winnipeg, Manitoba centrally 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 Chilliwack 1913 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1997 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Chilliwack, British Columbia Designed from a standard plan, this two-storey Baronial style drill hall has simple horizontal massing and modest but strong detailing.
Napanee Armoury, Centre Street 1914 David Ewart Napanee, Ontario large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
Niagara Falls Armoury 5049 Victoria Avenue at South Street 1907-10 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Niagara 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 Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Edmonton, Alberta restored two-storey, U-shaped Baronial style building with load bearing brick walls and stone detailing
Pembroke Armoury 177 Victoria Street 1913-14 David Ewart Recognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Pembroke, Ontario large centrally located Baronial style building with a low-pitched gable roof
Portage la Prairie Armoury 143 Second Street, 1912-13 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1998 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Portage 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 Armoury 1904 David Ewart Rossland, British Columbia
Sussex Armoury 1902 David Ewart Sussex, New Brunswick
  • Centrally located, the Baronial style building has a low-pitched gable roof
Port Arthur Armoury, Park Street at Second Street 1913-14 David Ewart Port 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 Ewart Recognized - 1988 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Prince Albert, Saskatchewan A 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 Street 1910-1911 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Summerside, Prince Edward Island
  • Centrally located stone and brick Baronial style building replaced an earlier military Drill Shed
Rimouski Armoury 65 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street East 1910-11 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Rimouski, Quebec
Rivière du Loup Armoury Joly Street 1904 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec centrally located, symmetrical Baronial style building whose two two-storey wings flank the dominant centre pavilion
Sherbrooke Armoury, 64 Belvedere Road South 1907-8 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Sherbrooke, Quebec  
St. Catharines Armoury 81 Lake Street at Elizabeth Street 1905 David Ewart Recognized 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings; St. Catharines, Ontario
Saint-Hyacinthe Armoury 2155 Laframboise Blvd. 1905-6 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places;Recognized - 2005 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Saint-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 Ewart Recognized - 1992 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings St. Thomas, Ontario centrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance
Strathcona Armoury 1911-12 David Ewart Strathcona, Alberta centrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance
Strathroy Armoury Frank Street at James Street 1907 David Ewart Strathroy, Ontario centrally located rectangular, gable-roofed Baronial style building of solid, compact appearance
Thunder Bay Armoury 317 Park Avenue, 1913 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Thunder Bay, Ontario
Truro Armoury Wilson Street, 1907 David Ewart Truro, Nova Scotia
North Vancouver Armoury 15th Street at Forbes Avenue 1914 David Ewart North Vancouver, British Columbia
  • centrally located box-like Baronial style building with a flat roof with classical inspiration.
Virden Armoury 1913 David Ewart Virden, Manitoba
Walkerton Armoury 1907 David Ewart Walkerton, Ontario
Maj FA Tilson VC Armoury 353, Freedom Way, 1899-02 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places Windsor, Ontario
Woodstock Armoury Chapel Street 1904-5 David Ewart Canada's Register of Historic Places; Recognized - 1991 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings Woodstock, 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.

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References

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Political offices
Preceded by Chief Dominion Architect, Canada
1897–1914
Succeeded by