Alberta Government Telephones H.Q.
If we’re including government utilities I’d be remiss in not mentioning Edmonton’s Alberta Government Telephones building. While it is unfortunately largely derided as an eyesore, especially in its context on the Legislature Grounds — even being referred to as the “green monster” on its own inauguration day by Co-operative Commonwealth Federation leader Elmer E. Roper — it is among Alberta’s most important pieces of built heritage. Designed by modernist firm Rule, Wynn & Rule, it makes use of green Alko plate glass paneling, concrete pilings — a then revolutionary idea for Alberta — and it was the first tower in Edmonton, and among the very first in all of North America, to make use of modern curtain wall construction. Sadly, it is long past its useful life, and the prospects of any restoration seem extremely thin.
'New' Alberta Government Telephones H.Q.
The company would move out in 1971 with the completion of this new tower. The great example of late Modernism — also designed by Rule, Wynn & Rule, then known as Rule, Wynn, Forbes, Lord & Partners — would be owned by A.G.T. until their privatization in 1991; is now owned by their successor, Telus.
Bowker Building
One of Edmonton’s other great governmental gems is the Bowker Building. Designed by University of Alberta Architecture Professor Cecil Burgess and built in 1931, it was originally known as the Administration Building, and was meant to alleviate the overcrowdedness of the Legislative Building. Some of its neat details include two carved bison heads flanking its main entrance, and the head of a First Nation’s chief, complete with ceremonial headdress, below its pediment.