- Address
- 555 King Street West
- Type
- Correctional Facility
- Designated
- 1990
Main Cellblock
Also known as B1 to B8, B21, C22, C25
555 King Street West, Kingston
About Main Cellblock
In Kingston, Main Cellblock is one of 18 federal buildings of the highest heritage rank. Its record dates Main Cellblock to 1834–1960. The register names William Powers, Edward Horsey and James Adams as its architects.
In plan the Main Cellblock is a symmetrical Greek cross-shaped Classic Revival-style five-storey structure with additional projected sections to the east and west. The appended blocks, or wings feature medium-pitched gable roofs while the end elevations on the Main Cellblock have a temple-like pedimented treatment. A polygonal roofed lantern crowns the massive central octagonal drum and dome. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Main Cellblock · Open Government Licence – Canada · as published, word for word
Of the buildings Canada owns, the most significant are Classified.
Questions about Main Cellblock
When was Main Cellblock built?
The register dates the construction of Main Cellblock to 1834–1960.
Is Main Cellblock protected?
Yes, while the federal government owns it: changes go through its heritage review.
What is Main Cellblock?
Main Cellblock became a Classified Federal Heritage Building in 1990.
Can you visit Main Cellblock?
You can see it from the street, while entry depends on its current use.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada (Parks Canada).
Sources: Parks Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations · Canadian Register of Historic Places (federal extract).
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).