Seventy-five-year-old iconic structures were the Yukon’s first apartment buildings
Whimsical.
That’s the word used to summarize the famous and funky log “skyscrapers” of downtown Whitehorse. In 1999, a heritage building report was created for the City of Whitehorse by Midnight Arts, and the term whimsical is used to best describe both the two- and three-storey log structures on Lambert Street.
Built in the 1940s by Martin Berrigan (who was around 75 himself at the time!), and using a simple lap-notched log design, the buildings have remained much the same throughout the decades and are both a tourist draw and a cultural icon for the city. The structures have been photographed extensively, have appeared on letterhead and postcards, have been painted by equally-famous artists, were the headquarters for a federal party leader (and MP) and have even been incorporated into the nameplate of What’s Up Yukon.
Terry Atkins, of Griffiths Heating and Sheet Metal, is the current owner and landlord of the historic buildings (which turned 75-years-old in 2023). Atkins said he purchased them two decades ago and has enjoyed them every day since. When you look around his home in the Southern Lakes, you can appreciate his love for history, travel and, of course, all things Yukon, including the beloved log skyscrapers. Atkins has been collecting everything—from paintings to coffee mugs and photographs, to signage—all depicting the vintage buildings.
“They were the first apartment buildings in the Yukon,” he said, adding that the three-storey structure is probably better known than its two-storey sibling. “It’s the most photographed building in the Yukon.”
In addition to being the Yukon headquarters for NDP party leader Audrey McLaughlin and the first office of the fledgling entertainment publication What’s Up Yukon, Skyscraper Treasures was a long-time fixture in the smaller of the two buildings. The original sign from Yukoner Irene Pugh’s souvenir shop now hangs in a spacious room in Atkin’s home. He said Pugh had many items emblazoned with images of the log skyscrapers, which she sold to tourists who stopped by to see the famous structures over the years.
Many of those souvenirs can be seen at Atkins’ home, which is a veritable museum of log skyscraper paraphernalia depicting, in great detail, the various decades the buildings have existed. He said he wasn’t sure how that all came about but that items have just slowly accumulated over the years.
“I think it’s just because I like collecting stuff,” Atkins said with a grin.
When Tammy Beese, owner and publisher of What’s Up Yukon, was looking for an office space for the new magazine in 2005, she found exactly what she was looking for.
“When I set out to get my first office [one of] the log skyscraper [units] was for rent,” she said. The location was good and, of course, the iconic buildings were very Yukon-centric and fit into the WUY brand—literally.
“The logo was designed on a napkin,” she said, adding that it was inspired by the work of long-time artist Jim Robb. Beese said she had originally wanted Robb to design the logo but he was preoccupied with other work at the time. So she worked with a designer to create the now easily recognizable logo for WUY, with a nod towards Robb and his work. “He was the inspiration,” she said.
Beese said that having the office space for the publication, and the logo in the name, just made sense.
“It’s iconic Yukon.”
Atkins said the buildings have been pretty much the same since their construction in 1947, with the exception of the addition of the concrete foundations in the 1970s that created a substantial space at the bottom of the three-storey building, allowing for the creation of a new rental unit. Of course, there have been modern interior upgrades—and upgrades to utilities, he added. One particularly interesting historical fact about the two buildings is that when they were constructed, the top units were accessible only by ladders as there were no stairs.
As for the projected lifespan of the buildings, there seems to be no slowing them down as they age gracefully. After the foundation additions, over 40 years ago, the buildings have seen little in the way of degradation (with the exception of a deliberate fire set in the upper unit of the two-storey building in 2010), and Atkins agreed they could easily be around for another 75 years.
“They are pretty structurally sound,” he said.
For those interested in renting one of the units in either building,the need for a good amount of patience is probably the first thing to reconcile, as the apartments have never been empty while under Atkins’ ownership, with current tenants being offered the opportunity to move up to the higher floors should they desire. Currently, there is a long line of people who would love to call the log skyscrapers home.
“There’s a waiting list,” Atkins said with a chuckle.
