After years under construction-related wraps, the Carleton Martello Tower on Saint John’s west side is visible once again. It’s a sign that phase two of the tower’s restoration, which was first announced in 2023, is nearing completion. For residents like Benjamin and Justin Elbaz, who live across the street from the national historic site, it’s something they have long waited for. “We’re happy we got the view back,” says Benjamin, who moved to the area in 2022. “Everything went beautifully and couldn’t be more ecstatic with what it looks like, and all the workers have just been wonderful here.” In the past week a protective tarp that covered the tower was removed. While the tower is still surrounded by scaffolding as crews continue their restoration efforts, the historic Second World War Fire Command Post is once again visible from the site. Construction on the tower first began in 1812 and was completed in 1815 by Royal Engineers to protect New Brunswick’s largest and most important port during the war of 1812. At one point before transitioning to a museum, the tower was used to house magazine and military stores, operated as a garrison, as well as a prison and observation posts before standing down as a key pillar of Saint John’s defences in 1944. Parks Canada’s New Brunswick asset manager Corey Gaudet says the removal of the protective tarp after many years means the finish line for the restoration work is in sight. “There were a few delays during construction, particularly around some of the materials needed,” Gaudet points out, noting the skilled craftsmanship and stones needed to restore a structure built in the early 1800’s is not as simple as going to the local hardware store. “It was definitely a little bit complicated and required some adjustments as the project went along. The command post on top was fully reconstructed, so the old command post was taken down, heritage elements were taken and stored and restored, and some parts of the old tower were actually cut out. “So, giant concrete sections that were there in the old command post were saved and then re-put back into the structure.” He says the newly constructed command post is much lighter than the original one, which caused some of the structural issues leading the multi-year renovations in the first place. That said, he assures people who have visited the tower many times the command post won’t feel or look much different than before. “The heritage elements like the steel windows and doors, the original ones will be put right back on the command post at the top,” Gaudet says. “And the tower itself will look almost identical except renewed.” The total restoration work for the tower is currently expected to cost Ottawa $27.5 million. Gaudet says he believes the work done during the restoration will help keep the 200-year-old tower as a central figure in Saint John for the next two centuries. If all stays according to plan, Gaudet says guests will be able to visit the inside of the tower again next summer. The last time visitors could explore inside the structures was 2015. UNB History Professor Greg Marquis worked at the tower back in the 1970s. He says the tower is an iconic historic site the entire city takes pride in it. He says it’s one of the oldest buildings in Canada’s first incorporated city. While the Carleton Martello Tower never fired any shots, Marquis says it was an important figure in Saint John’s defence for over a century. “It’s great that they saved it, because a lot of these other Martello Towers have been demolished or built over in Canada,” Marquis points out. “It’s one of these things that we’re lucky in the city where we’ve lost so much heritage, we’re really fortunate to have this building.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
