Contextual Value. The Horticulture Building, the Aberdeen Pavilion and the open space of the easement are located on the former Central Canada Exhibition grounds at Lansdowne Park. Other buildings at Lansdowne Park include the Xxxxx Xxxxx Stadium, used as exhibition space, for sporting events and conferences. The Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Driveway, which follows the edge of the Rideau Canal, is a scenic thoroughfare built by the predecessor of the National Capital Commission and wraps around the east and south of Lansdowne Park. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World heritage Site, was completed in 1832 and originally used for military purposes is now used as a recreational waterway. It also wraps around the south and east of the Park. The Rideau Canal is historically linked to Lansdowne Park; paddlewheel steamers dropped patrons off at wharves located at the exhibition grounds. Additionally, the exhibition grounds are located in the Glebe, This former suburb of Ottawa was annexed by the City in 1889. The Aberdeen Pavilion is a key building in the Glebe and its dome is visible from the neighbourhood - specifically from the banks of the Rideau Canal. SF: September 21, 2012
Contextual Value. The theatre building’s contextual value is derived from its important role in defining this former entertainment district and supporting the character of the Princess Street streetscape. The presence of the well-lit marquee and canopy (while not original) makes the building a landmark on Princess Street. The subject property’s Capitol Theatre, in association with the Grand Theatre across the street and the Strand Theatre to the north, defined the evolving entertainment district along Princess Street when constructed in 1920 through to the 1970s when the industry shifted to suburban locations with ample parking. The theatre still defines this mid‐block section of Princess Street between Sydenham Street and Montreal Street with its prominent marquee and canopy extending out over the sidewalk directly across the street from the Grand Theatre. The theatre building is an important visual contributor to the historic streetscape within the block that features mostly two and three storey, mixed commercial and residential buildings constructed of stone, brick, and concrete in a number of styles that were City of Kingston By-Law Number 2021-0XX successively developed between circa 1860 through to circa 1930, most of which are valuable heritage resources. The theatre building has landmark status within the City of Kingston and within the block with its prominent marquee and canopy (although not original) along Princess Street. It forms part of a collection of buildings that are important for their reflection in architectural and historical terms of the economic, social and cultural development of Kingston from the late nineteenth through the twentieth centuries.
