Parks Canada
parkscanada.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
News Releases and Backgrounders
Backgrounder
ÉDIFICE LAMPRON (ÉDIFICE LA FABRIQUE)
The Lampron Building was erected in Trois-Rivières in 1916, a time when the city was experiencing a manufacturing and industrial boom. It has been home to the local newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, as well as to Balcer Glove Manufacturing Company, its most well known occupant. In 1947, Lampron Shirt Limited moved into the building, which then became known locally as Édifice La Fabrique.
Designated as a historical monument by the City of Trois-Rivières, this L-shaped brick-faced building, with its slightly arched roofline and generous openings over its four levels, is now being converted into a boutique hotel by a Quebec company, 9123-5143 Québec Inc., to be named Hôtel Balcer. It will contain 50 bedrooms, a dining room and seven meeting rooms.
The federal Government will contribute to the rehabilitation project through the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund, a $30-million program established in 2003 as part of the Historic Places Initiative. This program was set up to promote and support the rehabilitation – and return to financial viability – of historic commercial properties, while preserving their unique heritage values.
The Lampron Building’s heritage values stem from its authentic character, and from the fact that it is the last surviving example of turn-of-the-twentieth century industrial architecture in Trois-Rivières. Built by the city, the building had a multifunctional nature, and provided space to several businesses. This constituted an innovation at the time, when most industrial buildings only served one type of business.
Architecturally, the Lampron Building’s design reflects its unique vocation. The interior spaces were meant to adapt to the needs of the various businesses that might occupy it. Spaces associated with vertical circulation in the building were grouped in the interior corner of the L-shaped structure to offer private access to each level.
The heritage value of the Lampron Building also stems from its transitional architecture that merged old and new building techniques. Its floors, made of wood beams and columns, as well as the brick masonry of its exterior walls, point to old building techniques, while its extensive fenestration and its masonry beam structure point to new building techniques.
Many of the unique architectural and structural features that were part of the Lampron Building’s original design will be preserved as the structure is converted into a hotel, including its brick and masonry walls, wooden ceilings and beams, steel fire escapes, interior service staircase, and exterior metal work. The exterior design for the new hotel is based on a 1920’s photo of the Lampron Building.
At the turn of the twentieth century, several businesses settled in Trois-Rivières. The Lampron Building housed three significant companies in the history of the city, notably Balcer Glove Manufacturing and Company, which was an important contributor to the industrial development of the region. Established by Henri Mathias Balcer, a Prussian immigrant who had settled in Trois-Rivières in 1854, this company had been associated with the industrial development of Trois-Rivières from the middle of the nineteenth century.
Canada’s contribution to the rehabilitation of the Lampron Building and its conversion to a hotel could reach $1,000,000, the maximum amount allowable under the Commecial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund. It is anticipated that the total eligible costs for this project could reach $6.47 million.
Designated as a historical monument by the City of Trois-Rivières, this L-shaped brick-faced building, with its slightly arched roofline and generous openings over its four levels, is now being converted into a boutique hotel by a Quebec company, 9123-5143 Québec Inc., to be named Hôtel Balcer. It will contain 50 bedrooms, a dining room and seven meeting rooms.
The federal Government will contribute to the rehabilitation project through the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund, a $30-million program established in 2003 as part of the Historic Places Initiative. This program was set up to promote and support the rehabilitation – and return to financial viability – of historic commercial properties, while preserving their unique heritage values.
The Lampron Building’s heritage values stem from its authentic character, and from the fact that it is the last surviving example of turn-of-the-twentieth century industrial architecture in Trois-Rivières. Built by the city, the building had a multifunctional nature, and provided space to several businesses. This constituted an innovation at the time, when most industrial buildings only served one type of business.
Architecturally, the Lampron Building’s design reflects its unique vocation. The interior spaces were meant to adapt to the needs of the various businesses that might occupy it. Spaces associated with vertical circulation in the building were grouped in the interior corner of the L-shaped structure to offer private access to each level.
The heritage value of the Lampron Building also stems from its transitional architecture that merged old and new building techniques. Its floors, made of wood beams and columns, as well as the brick masonry of its exterior walls, point to old building techniques, while its extensive fenestration and its masonry beam structure point to new building techniques.
Many of the unique architectural and structural features that were part of the Lampron Building’s original design will be preserved as the structure is converted into a hotel, including its brick and masonry walls, wooden ceilings and beams, steel fire escapes, interior service staircase, and exterior metal work. The exterior design for the new hotel is based on a 1920’s photo of the Lampron Building.
At the turn of the twentieth century, several businesses settled in Trois-Rivières. The Lampron Building housed three significant companies in the history of the city, notably Balcer Glove Manufacturing and Company, which was an important contributor to the industrial development of the region. Established by Henri Mathias Balcer, a Prussian immigrant who had settled in Trois-Rivières in 1854, this company had been associated with the industrial development of Trois-Rivières from the middle of the nineteenth century.
Canada’s contribution to the rehabilitation of the Lampron Building and its conversion to a hotel could reach $1,000,000, the maximum amount allowable under the Commecial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund. It is anticipated that the total eligible costs for this project could reach $6.47 million.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
