The Edwardian Classical Style, a.k.a. Edwardian Classicism emerged during the reign of King Edward VII (1901 - 1910), though the style continued to influence architecture into the early 1920s. It marked a shift away from the ornate and often decorative elements of the Victorian era, favouring instead a more restrained and symmetrical neoclassicism. It borrowed from Classical Greek and Roman architecture, emphasizing balance, proportion, and simple elegance. This style took hold in many cities across Canada as a way to project civic pride, progress, and respectability, especially as urban centres grew rapidly during the early 20th century. In Ottawa, Edwardian Classicism became common in public buildings, banks, schools, and commercial-residential hybrids like those found in Hintonburg. The main characteristics of Edwardian Classical Style are: symmetrical facades, flat or low pitched roofs, decorative brick and stone accents (especially on sills, lintels, and cornices), classical features like engaged pilasters, brackets, and voussoirs, segmental or flat-headed windows, often arched, use of brick cladding as the main material with rough-faced stone for visual contrast, recessed or framed entrances and storefronts, modest ornamentation compared to former Victorian or Gothic revival styles.


Hintonburg became prime territory for this type of development. At the time, it was a neighbourhood for working-class families, tradesmen, and small business owners, exactly the kinds of residents that Edwardian mixed-use blocks were built to serve. The style appeared in commercial-residential blocks like Jones Block, institutional buildings like churches, schools, and banks, apartment walk-ups and large homes built for middle-income residents. The architecture in early 20th century Hintonburg leaned more towards practical and enduring forms, especially after all the fires. The often used materials like brick and rough-cut stone which were often locally sourced. Although Jones Block has not been designated as a heritage property, the current post-1902-fire building today appears to have been influenced by Edwardian Classism, especially in its form, materiality and facade details.