Main Street Electrical Substation (Saskatoon)

 architecture - Do not use this category, electrical sub-station

This was once the City of Saskatoon's Main Street Electrical Substation, built in 1930 with of Redcliffe brick and Claybank dark brick in a mix of Modern Classical and Prairie styles. It has a symmetrical face with bricks set in a geometric pattern, brick pilasters (vertical posts) and stepped work decoration.

After being decommissioned, it was converted to storage space for dangerous chemicals such as PCBs. By the early 1990s it had been abandoned and was in danger of demolition. The Kindrachuck Agrey architecture firm saw the building's value and acquired it for their office. An extensive exterior restoration and conversion of the interior changed it into a modern, industrial loft space.
www.kindrachuk-agrey.ca

When Kindrachuck Agrey built a new office building across the street for its office and the McDougall Gawley law firm, the substation was acquired by a community organization. Named The Stand, it is the new location for Turning the Tide, an independent bookstore that had been forced to move with the demolition of the Farnam Block and the old house behind it. The Stand will also have meeting and co-working spaces for community activists and organizers.
www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/life+bookstore+aim...