Clarence and Norman Blocks

The Clarence and Norman blocks, built with sandstone from Calgary’s Bow Bank Quarries, were constructed by Senator James A. Lougheed as the place for his law offices and various businesses. Clarence Block was constructed for and managed by Lougheed and named for Lougheed’s eldest son, Clarence. It housed his law practice until 1927, which he shared with future Prime Minister RB Bennett. Clarence Block helped to establish Stephen Ave. Calgary’s prime retail and professional services area. Norman Block also built by Senator Lougheed named for his second son Norman. It was built in 1904 a two storey flat roof building, eight bays across, in an Edwardian Commercial style, with a rooftop balustrade and centre and scroll pediments. The first of many fires to engulf the blocks occurred in the Clarence Block on Christmas Day 1900 at 2:30 am. Despite the fire crew’s efforts, it spread to the neighbouring Norman Block and caused roughly $190,000 ($5 million, adjusted for inflation) in damage and destroyed Lougheed’s law library and office furnishings. Almost immediately, Lougheed began rebuilding. He reopened them in February 1901. Three years later, the Norman block was again in flames in “the worst fire in Calgary’s history,” said the Calgary Herald. The block was rebuilt and would burn down twice more, in 1911 and 1933, with the Lougheed family rebuilding each time. The blocks were fully renovated in 1972, and today they conspicuously are home to a “Winners” store in the Norman Block and a “Sportchek” in the Clarence Block.

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