Downtown St. John's
Encyclopedia
Downtown St. John's is the historic core and central business district
of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. Located north of St. John's harbour, it is the business, entertainment, and tourism centre with office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other services.
The historic boundaries of downtown St. John's is usually thought to start at the harbour extend north to Duckworth Street and is bounded by Springdale Street in the west and Empire Avenue in the east. In recent years the boundaries of downtown have extended further north and usually take in Military Road or sometimes even as far as Empire Avenue, this may also be referred to as the greater downtown area.
. ExxonMobil
Canada
has its headquarters in the Cabot Building on New Gower Street, as well Chevron
, Statoil
and Suncor Energy
along with other oil and gas companies have major operations downtown. Fortis Inc.
have their headquarters in the Fortis Building
on Water Street and they own and operate several of the office buildings and hotels downtown. All of the Big Five Canadian banks
have operations in the downtown core as well.
, which has meant that many buildings throughout the city, specifically in the downtown core, have been designated by either the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada or the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
as Historic Places.
is located downtown, as the focal point of the city's nightlife, the short street is populated mainly by bars and pubs. It is believed that George Street has the most pubs and bars per square foot of any street in North America
, and it is known to have bars that are open later than most others throughout Canada
.
The street is the venue for an annual Mardi Gras
celebration in October. However, the largest celebration on George Street is the six-night George Street Festival which occurs at the end of July or early August and typically concludes on the Tuesday night before the Royal St. John's Regatta
, which is set for the first Wednesday in August. The festival is rumoured to be the largest of its kind in North America with over 120,000 people making their way through the streets during the six-day period.
is located in downtown St. John's. It is the main sports and entertainment centre in the city and one of the finest entertainment centres in Canada. Built in 2001, it has been the home of the St. John's Maple Leafs and the St. John's Fog Devils, and it also plays host to many of the concerts that visit the city. In April 2010 Mile One as well as George Street hosted the Juno Awards for the second time.
The Downtown Busker Festival is an annual event held in August. The festival is the only one of its kind in the province and features local talent as well as national and international performers.
, Newfoundland and Labrador
's cultural facility, which unites the Provincial Museum, the Provincial Art Gallery and the Provincial Archives all under one roof. The A1C postal code in the downtown area is known to have one of the highest concentrations of artists in the Canada.
at city hall. Offices for the mayor, city councillors, and additional staff are also located in city hall.
office for the regional federal minister is located downtown, as well many Federal Government
departments and agencies are also located downtown in different buildings including: the Sir Humphrey Gilbert Building and the John Cabot Building.
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Located north of St. John's harbour, it is the business, entertainment, and tourism centre with office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other services.
The historic boundaries of downtown St. John's is usually thought to start at the harbour extend north to Duckworth Street and is bounded by Springdale Street in the west and Empire Avenue in the east. In recent years the boundaries of downtown have extended further north and usually take in Military Road or sometimes even as far as Empire Avenue, this may also be referred to as the greater downtown area.
Features
Business and offices
Downtown St. John's is the central business district for the city and is the centre of the oil and gas industry in Eastern CanadaEastern Canada
Eastern Canada is generally considered to be the region of Canada east of Manitoba, consisting of the following provinces:* New Brunswick* Newfoundland and Labrador* Nova Scotia* Ontario* Prince Edward Island* Quebec...
. ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
has its headquarters in the Cabot Building on New Gower Street, as well Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
, Statoil
Statoil
Statoil ASA is a Norwegian petroleum company established in 1972. It merged with Norsk Hydro in 2007 and was known as StatoilHydro until 2009, when the name was changed back to Statoil ASA. The brand Statoil was retained as a chain of fuel stations owned by StatoilHydro...
and Suncor Energy
Suncor Energy
Suncor Energy Inc. is a Canadian integrated energy company based in Calgary, Alberta. It specializes in production of synthetic crude from oil sands...
along with other oil and gas companies have major operations downtown. Fortis Inc.
Fortis Inc.
Fortis Inc. is a St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador based international diversified electric utility holding company. It primarily operates in Canada and the Caribbean. In 2005, it earned a profit of $137.1 million Canadian from revenue of $1.44 billion....
have their headquarters in the Fortis Building
Fortis Building
The Fortis Building is the headquarters of Fortis Inc. located in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada. It was completed in 1969.The building stands 12 storeys high and is located on Water Street next to the TD Building....
on Water Street and they own and operate several of the office buildings and hotels downtown. All of the Big Five Canadian banks
Big Five banks
Big Five is the name colloquially given to the five largest banks that dominate the banking industry of Canada. The five banks are operationally headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. They are all classified as Schedule I banks that are domestic banks operating in Canada under government charter...
have operations in the downtown core as well.
Historic buildings
St. John's is the oldest city in North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, which has meant that many buildings throughout the city, specifically in the downtown core, have been designated by either the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada or the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization which was established by the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1984 to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the architectural heritage of the province...
as Historic Places.
Shopping
Downtown features some of the finest shopping in the city available with fashionable clothing boutiques for men and women, and unique specialty stores. Art galleries, bookstores and music stores featuring the work of local artists are scattered throughout the downtown area.Nightlife
The internationally renowned George StreetGeorge Street, St. John's
George Street is a street located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, that is known for its many bars and pubs.The short street is populated mainly by bars and pubs and is open only to pedestrians in the evenings and during most of the business day, only being open to traffic from 8:00am...
is located downtown, as the focal point of the city's nightlife, the short street is populated mainly by bars and pubs. It is believed that George Street has the most pubs and bars per square foot of any street in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and it is known to have bars that are open later than most others throughout Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
celebration in October. However, the largest celebration on George Street is the six-night George Street Festival which occurs at the end of July or early August and typically concludes on the Tuesday night before the Royal St. John's Regatta
Royal St. John's Regatta
The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. There is credible contention that St. John's regattas were held even earlier than 1816, likely in the 18th century....
, which is set for the first Wednesday in August. The festival is rumoured to be the largest of its kind in North America with over 120,000 people making their way through the streets during the six-day period.
Entertainment
The Mile One CentreMile One Centre
Mile One Centre is an indoor arena and entertainment venue located in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The centre's name comes from it being located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway. At full capacity the arena can seat 7,000 people.The arena opened in May 2001, as...
is located in downtown St. John's. It is the main sports and entertainment centre in the city and one of the finest entertainment centres in Canada. Built in 2001, it has been the home of the St. John's Maple Leafs and the St. John's Fog Devils, and it also plays host to many of the concerts that visit the city. In April 2010 Mile One as well as George Street hosted the Juno Awards for the second time.
The Downtown Busker Festival is an annual event held in August. The festival is the only one of its kind in the province and features local talent as well as national and international performers.
Culture
Downtown St. John's is home to The RoomsThe Rooms
The Rooms is a cultural facility in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The facility opened in 2005 and houses the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador.On a hill overlooking...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
's cultural facility, which unites the Provincial Museum, the Provincial Art Gallery and the Provincial Archives all under one roof. The A1C postal code in the downtown area is known to have one of the highest concentrations of artists in the Canada.
Accommodations
Many of the hotels located in the city of St. John's are located in the downtown area, with many major hotel chains as well as local establishments maintaining a location there.List of hotels
- Battery Hotel & Suites
- City Hostel
- Courtyard by Marriott St. John'sCourtyard by MarriottCourtyard by Marriott is a brand of hotels owned by Marriott International. Courtyard by Marriott is designed for business travelers but also accommodates to families. Its rooms feature large desks, couches, free broadband Internet access, and "big" breakfasts. The majority of locations have...
- Delta St. John's HotelDelta HotelsDelta Hotels is a chain of 45 hotels and resorts across Canada, primarily in the 4 star range of standard. Delta once had a hotel in the United States, the Delta Court of Flags Hotel, located in Orlando, Florida, however, it was closed sometime after 1996 and has subsequently been demolished...
- Duckworth B&B
- Ryan Mansion
- Quality Hotel – Harbourview
- Sheraton Hotel NewfoundlandHotel NewfoundlandSheraton Hotel Newfoundland is a luxury hotel in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The original Newfoundland Hotel, an 8-storey brick structure, was opened in 1926 in St. John's. The hotel was owned and operated by the Newfoundland Hotel Facilities, Ltd...
- Spa At The Monastery And Suites
Municipal
Downtown St. John's is the home of the St. John's City Council ChamberSt. John's City Council
St. John's City Council has been the governing body of the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada since 1888.The city council currently comprises 11 members: the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and nine councillors, five which represent wards throughout the city and four that are elected at...
at city hall. Offices for the mayor, city councillors, and additional staff are also located in city hall.
Federal
The Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
office for the regional federal minister is located downtown, as well many Federal Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
departments and agencies are also located downtown in different buildings including: the Sir Humphrey Gilbert Building and the John Cabot Building.
Demographic
There are 10,025 people living in the downtown area. 52.5% are less than 35 years of age. 36.6% are between the ages of 36–64 and 10.4% are over the age of 64. The average age is 35.9 years and there are 4060 private households.See also
- St. John'sSt. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorSt. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
- Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...