Former bank building to get heritage designation in Mississauga

A landmark building in Mississauga got the nod for a heritage designation.

Now a pharmacy, the building at 88 Lakeshore Rd. E. at the northwest corner of Lakeshore Road East and Elizabeth Street North in Port Credit, was first occupied by a bank.

The Mississauga Heritage Advisory Committee voted in favour of a heritage designation for the building at its March 5 meeting.

Built in 1947, it is a landmark and rare example of Art Moderne architecture in Mississauga, according to the committee report.

“It is a pretty interesting and cherished building,” said Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko at the meeting.

Many people may not know it was first used as a Dominion Bank, opening in 1948.

On opening day the Port Credit Weekly described the Dominion Bank branch to be of “monumental scale” and “simple and dignified in architectural treatment,” according to the committee report.

The building was designed by architect Douglas Kertland (1888-1982) for the Dominion Bank, forerunner to the Toronto Dominion Bank. In 2000, TD Bank re-branded most of its commercial banking operations in Canada as TD Canada Trust after acquiring Canada Trust.

Kertland is probably best known for designing the Automotive Building at the Canadian National Exhibition. He also designed many buildings for Toronto Dominion Bank.

Art Moderne architecture flourished in Canada in the 1930s and 1940s when full-on Modern architecture had already emerged in Europe, according to the report.

“The building exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship and artistic merit,” the report states.

The one large rounded corner, well-crafted cut limestone with the minimal joinery provides a smooth façade.

The building is now home to Hooper’s Pharmacy, which was established in Port Credit in 1924 and is celebrating 100 years in the community, according to the pharmacy’s website.

The pharmacy’s history doesn’t mention the move to 88 Lakeshore Rd. E. but a spokesperson for Hooper’s tells insauga.com they moved into the former bank building in July 2003.

Photos: City of Mississauga report