Pigott Building
An 18-storey Art Deco and Gothic Revival tower that launched Hamilton’s skyline and marked the city’s first skyscraper.
At a glance
Rising 210 feet above downtown Hamilton, the Pigott Building combines geometric Art Deco detailing with Gothic Revival ornament. Designed by local architects Bernard and Fred Prack, it stands as a landmark of interwar ambition and construction excellence.
History
Completed in 1929 at a cost of $1,000,000, the Pigott Building was Hamilton’s first skyscraper. It was constructed by the Pigott Construction Company, whose reach extended far beyond this single project. The company shaped Canada’s urban and industrial landscape, erecting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Skylon Tower at Niagara Falls, the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, and major facilities for General Motors in Oshawa and A.V. Roe in Malton.
The building’s address carries additional historical weight: it was here, on December 6, 1892, that the Canadian Club Movement began—a civic organization that would spread across the nation.
What you see
The tower’s façade merges two stylistic vocabularies. Art Deco geometry and streamlining appear in its massing and fenestration, while Gothic Revival elements enliven the ornamental detail. At 64 metres, the building commands its corner lot on James Street South.
Cultural significance
The Pigott Building marks a pivotal moment in Hamilton’s development—the city’s transition from industrial town to metropolitan centre. It testifies to the ambition of local enterprise and the skill of regional architects. The building is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, recognizing its architectural and historical importance to the community.
Key facts
- Country: Canada
- City: Hamilton, Ontario
- Completed: 1929
- Height: 210 feet (64 metres)
- Storeys: 18
- Architects: Bernard and Fred Prack
- Original cost: $1,000,000
- Coordinates: 43.2558, -79.8699
- Heritage designation: Ontario Heritage Act
Practical information & getting there
The Pigott Building is located at 36 James Street South in downtown Hamilton. It remains a residential condominium and an active landmark in the city’s skyline.
Sources & resources
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