It should c
ome as no surprise that we love real estate, but we also love the history of real estate, especially in a city as diverse as Calgary! We recently sold a condo in this beautiful building and couldn’t help but take a peek into it’s past. The Athlone is a building located in Mission, and was built in 1940. Originally the land was occupied by Castel Aux Pres, home to Judge and Lady Winter beginning in 1895.
This home was demolished in 1939 and the Athlone was born. Built by Arthur Cumming LTD. It was the largest and one of the most interesting apartment complexes built in the 1940s. It features elements of classical revised architecture, such as the pilasters, and the decorative lintels over the windows and doorway, but breaks with classical tradition in its lack of a cornice. The main entrance has two features that were considered innovative at the time: a wall of glass blocks surrounding the door; and vitrolite paneling. Built with high quality materials and set back from the street with a spacious front lawn, the 46 suite apartment building was more luxurious than others in the neighbourhood. Quote by Jim Bowman in the Heritage Highlight.
It’s more than just the architecture that makes this building unique. The property has been restored and maintained to keep that 1940’s feeling. In the main entrance you will find a vintage Art Deco pendant light, one of four, circa 1925. The building’s hallways and stairwells feature glass light shades of the type originally found in the building. Even the incinerator chutes have been refinished with layers of paint removed to reveal the original red brick. The incinerator was retired decades ago but the care taken to preserve the buildings history just adds to its charm.
In 2008 the cliff Bungalow – Mission Community association recognized the Athlone as a community heritage site. If you are interested in seeing this wonderful building it is featured in the Calgary Historical Walking Tour of Mission. Click here to get more information on the walking tour and to get your own self-guided tour. Click here for more information on the Athlone.