Property of interest (viz. ground floor and street façades of the building) located in the City of Port of Spain bounded on the north by Queen Street (now known as Queen Janelle Commissiong Street) on the south by No. 29, Chacon Street, on the east by Chacon Street and on the west by Lot No. 89, Queen Street (now known as Queen Janelle Commissiong Street).

Built in 1932, the Trinidad Building and Loan Association building on 89 Queen Street, Port of Spain was constructed in the Classical Revival style of architecture, a style that introduced the notion of a monument to commerce to create a sense of security and longevity. As a financial institution, Trinidad Building and Loan Association was first established in 1891 to provide mortgage financing for home ownership and credit facilities for its members.

The building’s bipartite composition and range of classical details instil a sense of solidity and permanence; functions that have been fundamental to its success as a financial institution. TBLA is also nominated for its national significance under as one of the first ‘building societies’ largely responsible for the “built-up” of working-class suburbs by “helping thousands of persons to own their own homes;” and for its national significance for its association with Mr. L. O. Inniss, a prominent Port of Spain pharmacist, businessman, historian and TBLA founder-member; Mr. Edgar Tripp, former director and the man largely responsible for the coming of electricity to Port of Spain; and Dr. Enrique Prada, first mayor of the City of Port of Spain and the first owner of Mille Fleurs, one of the Magnificent Seven Houses in the St. Clair neighbourhood of Port of Spain.

Address: 89 Queen Street /Queen Janelle Commissiong Street

Town/City: Port of Spain

Region: Port of Spain

Site Type: Cultural Heritage

Ownership: Private

Public Accessibility: Limited Access

Grade: Grade 4 – Property in which one or more of the facades or some specified part or area should be preserved. Ground floor and front facades on Queen/Queen Janelle Commissiong and Chacon Street.

Cultural Community:

Site Features: Public Buildings