Anderson Apartments as it was originally known, or The Anderson as it is colloquially known, was designed in 1908 by Alexander (Victor) Anderson with the assistance of architect Roscoe B. Whitten, built in 1912, and opened in 1913. Calgary saw its first major boom in the years leading up to World War I and while The Anderson was originally designed as bachelor apartments, it was advertised to be the first “fireproof building” built entirely of concrete and brick and featured amenities like “in unit telephones” with a telephone and elevator operator on-site 24 hours a day. As one of the luxury apartment buildings in Calgary it was used to accommodate the onslaught of entrepreneurs and businessmen that flocked to the growing city. At the time of its completion in 1913, The Anderson was the tallest residential building in Calgary until the 1950’s attracting many prominent figures to The Anderson while they settled in Calgary. Some resided here for extended periods, others saw the building as a stop gap while they developed mansions and estates on “American Hill”, now known as Upper Mount Royal. From the time The Anderson opened, until his death in 1920, Mr. Anderson personally managed the building, living in multiple units including 205, 207, and 209. On the exterior, designed with influences from a myriad of architectural styles such as neoclassical and gothic revival, The Anderson is known for its unique “H” footprint which was designed to ensure all units received direct sunlight at different times of day, as well as the elaborate balustrade, cornice, parapet, pilasters, and large entry pediment.
