Avenue Building Saskatoon

History of the Avenue Building Saskatoon

This building, on the southeast corner of the intersection of 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue in Saskatoon was designed by Winnipeg architect William Fingland and built beginning in 1912 by Saskatoon’s future mayor, Frank Roland MacMillan.

The Avenue Building opened in 1913 as the home of MacMillan’s Department Store. Since then, the Avenue Building has been home to many of the city’s finest and most established retail businesses and professional offices.

The grand opening of the department store was held on October 1, 1913 and the Star Phoenix reported that it was attended by approximately 10,000 people. MacMillan’s, with 4 floors of dry goods, furniture and groceries and over 100 employees, would hold a top place in Saskatoon’s retail trade for over a decade, 1913 – 1926.

In 1927, MacMillan sold the retail side of his business to Eaton’s and the building became a temporary, two-year location for Eaton’s until its new building across the street was finished.

In 1929, MacMillan began an extensive conversion of the building with the interior changed to feature retail stores on the ground floor with offices throughout the rest of the building. The façade was completely replaced and the number of windows increased to provide light to individual offices. He renamed the office building the ‘Avenue Building’ and this is the building we continue to enjoy today.

Distinctive tiling still decorates the walls of the 3rd and 4th floors and the original offices doors continue to be in use today. The layout of those floors is such that a large central area indicative of a former atrium, has been left open as a common area for all to enjoy. The elegant lobby of the building also still features the original marble wainscoting.

In 1930, the building was sold to general contractors Fred and John Shoquist. The basement was first used as a bowladrome but underwent a major change in 1934-1935, becoming a dance hall designed by well-known tenant/architect Frank Martin. The main feature of the dance hall was an inlaid hexagonal hardwood floor, supported by 600 rubber tires obtained from a garage-owner who had a huge stock of tires that needed to be retreaded. On December 31, 1935, the dance hall, known as the Avenue Ballroom opened and quickly became one of Saskatoon’s top spots for entertainment with the capacity to accommodate up to 1400 people.

The ballroom underwent many transformations during its lifetime and was also known as the ‘Cavern Ballroom’ or ‘The Cave’ and then ‘Club 400’ throughout the ‘1940/50’s. It was a popular performance venue for many local jazz musicians as well as the orchestras of Bert Noaks & Don Keeler.

It eventually closed its doors in 1959 and the space remained dormant for the better part of four decades. The building continued to be a hub of activity in downtown throughout the years.

Eventually the basement of the building became home to a billiards hall for a number of years until a fire broke out in the space in 2007. It was then decided that tenants of the building would be well-served by a parkade and the space was once again transformed to accommodate 40 heated, secure parking spaces.

During the latest conversion, the underground basement space was also used as the set of Canadian country music artist, Jason Blaine's 'Give it to Me' music video.

Truly one of Saskatoon’s historic ‘gems,’ the Avenue Building continues to revel in its history and provide opportunities for many successful professionals and retailers.

Image PH-89-54-4 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image PH-98-36-1 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image PH-98-36-2 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image PH-88-113 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image A-584 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image A-48 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image C-150 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image PH-93-83-1 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image B-305 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Image B-5284 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Entrance to the Cavern Ballroom Image B-353 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Bert Noaks and his orchestra in the Cavern Ballroom Image PH-88-589 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Neil Harris’ Jazz Band in the Cavern Ballroom Image PH-96-38-90 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Couples jiving in the Cavern Ballroom Image PH-96-38-78 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

View of the dance crowd from the stage of the Cavern Ballroom Image PH-96-38-91 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Don Keeler Orchestra on stage at Club 400 Image PH-88-587 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Club 400 Patrons Image PH-96-38-44 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Building in the distance in 1962 Image PH-2019-368 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Night time view of Young’s Book & Stationery in 1960 Image QC-1557 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Young’s Books & Stationery & Office Furniture Image QC-1498-1 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Office chairs on display in Young’s Furniture Section in the basement Image QC-1475-2 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Avenue Building Barber Shop on the Main Floor – 1970’s Image PH-2003-159-1 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Street View in the 1980’s Image PH-96-174-10 Courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library

Avenue Building Entryway