The Pigott Building, located in Hamilton, Ontario, was built in 1929 on the site of the first Canada Life Assurance Building, which was erected in 1852. The Pigott Building was a steel-skeleton skyscraper and cost $1,000,000 to construct. It incorporated both Art-Deco and Gothic-Revival elements, with materials sourced from Belgium and England. The interior was decorated with marble, tile, and murals painted by church decorators. The building features rotating searchlights that revolved every 30 seconds atop the roof.
The Pigott Building remained a successful commercial office building until the 1970s, when the downtown economy suffered. After changing ownership multiple times and failing to undergo various projects, the building was designated a heritage site in 1984. Unfortunately, the stained glass windows, brass doors, and much of the woodwork had been removed by this time.
However, the remaining stained glass windows were recovered from a local antique shop at a cost of $12,000 and were re-installed. The Pigott Building stands as a testament to Hamilton’s architectural history and is a beloved part of the city’s skyline.
Posted by s i l e n t p i c t u r e s on 2016-06-06 01:28:57