The city of Saint John, New Brunswick, is witnessing the end of an era and the start of a new chapter as the iconic Golden Ball building, a landmark tied to the Irving family for nearly a century, is set for demolition. At the same time, two major industrial operations in the city—Atlantic Wallboard Ltd. and Irving Paper—have secured renewed environmental approvals, ensuring their continued presence and impact on the region’s economy and environment for years to come.
For locals and history buffs alike, the Golden Ball building at 10 Sydney Street is more than just bricks and mortar. Its story stretches back to 1931, when K.C. Irving, the patriarch of the Irving business dynasty, first opened the Golden Ball garage on the site. According to company history, the building served as his Ford dealership for many years, becoming a fixture in the uptown Saint John landscape. In the 1950s, the structure was transformed into the home office for Irving Oil, a role it filled until 2019, when the company’s headquarters moved to 10 King Square South.
This five-storey commercial building, with its 68,957 square feet of space and a parking lot accessible from both Union and Carmarthen streets, has stood as a silent witness to the city’s changing fortunes. For almost 100 years, it has been a part of both the Irving legacy and the Saint John skyline. But as of February 2026, the City of Saint John has issued a demolition permit for the property, marking the end of its storied existence.
The building’s latest owner, J.D. Irving, Limited, confirmed last fall that it had purchased the Golden Ball building from Irving Oil. In a press release at the time, Anne McInerney, the company’s vice president of communications, acknowledged the deep ties the property has to the Irving family and the community. “The Golden Ball is significant in our company’s history and we know the site carries memories for many people,” McInerney stated. “We’re disappointed the building is no longer viable and want to prevent it from falling into further disrepair. Our focus is to manage this transition responsibly and take the time we need to plan thoughtfully for the future.”
It’s a bittersweet moment for Saint Johners who remember the building’s heyday. Realtor Stephanie Turner of Cushman & Wakefield confirmed the sale last year, noting the significance of the transaction. The company’s decision to demolish the building, as explained by McInerney, comes down to practicality: “The structure has been deemed no longer suitable for use and will be removed.”
Despite the issuance of the demolition permit, the exact date for the teardown remains undetermined. The City of Saint John, in an email to Brunswick News, stated, “We are unable to comment on when the demolition may take place.” J.D. Irving, Limited has not provided further details since the permit’s approval, but the plan, as previously outlined, is to maintain the site as green space while the company evaluates future possibilities.
While one chapter closes, others continue to unfold with renewed vigor. In a separate but equally consequential development for Saint John, the Province of New Brunswick has renewed air quality approvals for two major industrial employers: Atlantic Wallboard Ltd. and Irving Paper. Both facilities, which operate under the Irving corporate umbrella, have secured new five-year Class 1 air quality approvals, according to the Department of Environment and Local Government.
Atlantic Wallboard’s current approval was set to expire on March 30, 2026, but the new approval takes effect immediately after, on March 31. This gypsum wallboard plant is no small operation—it has the capacity to churn out up to 37 million square metres of wallboard panels each year, a testament to its importance in the construction supply chain. Meanwhile, Irving Paper’s renewed approval kicks in on April 1, 2026, following the expiration of its current permit the day before. The paper mill is a powerhouse in its own right, with the ability to produce roughly 900 tonnes of pulp and 1,200 tonnes of paper per day.
Both renewal processes were preceded by public consultation periods, a requirement under provincial regulations. For Atlantic Wallboard, the review ran from September 26, 2025, to January 30, 2026. Irving Paper’s review stretched from September 3, 2025, to January 10, 2026. The government emphasized that these opportunities for public input are essential for transparency and accountability. Full approval documents for both facilities are available online and at regional government offices, according to the Department of Environment and Local Government.
Class 1 industries such as Atlantic Wallboard and Irving Paper are subject to stringent requirements under the Air Quality Regulation of the Clean Air Act. They must operate in strict accordance with the terms of their approvals, a point the government underscored in its official releases. The renewed permits not only allow these facilities to continue their operations but also set the framework for ongoing monitoring and compliance with environmental standards.
The dual developments—the demolition of a heritage building and the renewal of industrial permits—highlight the sometimes uneasy balance between honoring the past and embracing the future. On one hand, the loss of the Golden Ball building signals the end of a tangible link to the city’s industrial roots and the formative years of the Irving empire. On the other, the continued operation of Atlantic Wallboard and Irving Paper ensures jobs, economic activity, and a measure of stability for the community, albeit with the ongoing responsibility to protect the environment.
For residents of Saint John, these changes are more than just headlines. They reflect broader questions about urban renewal, economic priorities, and environmental stewardship. What should become of historic sites that can no longer serve their original purpose? How can industry and community coexist in a way that honors both heritage and progress? The answers, as always, are complex and evolving.
As the Golden Ball building prepares to make way for new possibilities—its future still to be determined—Saint John stands at a crossroads. With renewed commitments to both industry and green space, the city is navigating its next steps with an eye on its past and a cautious optimism for what’s to come.