The early twentieth century, two-storey, rectangular brick building is the oldest armoury in Alberta.

[3] In addition to a main floor drill hall, it incorporated storerooms for arms, saddles and uniforms; offices and a caretaker's apartment.

It was named for Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, the third son of Queen Victoria and Canada's Governor-General from 1911 to 1916.

[2] When the Dragoons were removed from the Order of Battle in 1964–5, the City of Edmonton acquired the armoury from the federal government.

However, Edmonton City Council decided to use the building as a drop-in centre for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society.