Kempthorne Building, Saskatoon

The Kempthorne Building, also known as the Kempthorne Block, is a prominent heritage structure located on 2nd Avenue South in downtown Saskatoon. Built in 1910, it was designed by the architectural firm Webster and Noel, whose partnership was brief but notable-this and the adjacent Bottomley Block are their only known projects before David Webster pursued a successful solo career.

The three-story building is distinguished by its maroon brick façade, Tyndall stone accents, and arched upper windows with keystones and sills. The roofline features a decorative parapet with corniced square pillars and a central stepped section bearing the name KEMPTHORNE. Originally, the building had apartments on the upper floors, which were later converted into offices, though these have since been closed. A significant rear addition in 1929 nearly doubled its size.

The building has deep historical ties to Samuel Kempthorne, who arrived from Whitby, Ontario, in 1903 and established one of Saskatoon’s earliest hardware stores. His business occupied half of the ground floor, while the Bank of British North America was housed in the other half. The Saskatoon Business College operated on the third floor for more than fifty years, and the second floor was home to offices for several notable figures, including Ralph Dill, the city’s first photographer, Dr. Malloy, and David Webster himself.

Over the years, the Kempthorne Building has housed businesses like Saskatoon Hardware, Paragon Café, and, since 1985, Moores, which restored the structure while preserving its historic character. Today, it stands as a lasting landmark on 2nd Avenue South, reflecting Saskatoon's early commercial roots.