The Kissing Buildings - Dawson City, Yukon

Francis H.

The Kissing Buildings of Dawson City, Yukon

The "Kissing Buildings," also known as the Third Avenue Hotel Complex, represent a distinctive architectural phenomenon in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada—a historic town founded during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Located on 3rd Avenue, these two wooden structures, originally constructed around the early 1900s, have become a beloved local landmark due to their unusual physical configuration.

Dawson City's buildings from the Gold Rush era were typically erected directly on the ground, without accounting for the region's permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil underlying the surface. Over time, heat from within the structures caused the permafrost to thaw, leading to subsidence as the foundations settled unevenly into the resulting mud. This process, exacerbated by seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, caused the buildings to tilt dramatically toward one another, creating the appearance of them "leaning in" or "kissing." The effect is a poignant illustration of how northern environmental conditions have shaped the town's built heritage.

The Third Avenue Hotel Complex, a federally designated heritage site under Parks Canada, exemplifies this issue. Rather than being repaired or demolished, the buildings have been preserved in their tilted state to demonstrate the natural impacts of permafrost degradation—a decision that balances historical authenticity with educational value. Modern construction in Dawson City now employs elevated foundations on concrete blocks or wooden pilings to mitigate such problems.

These structures serve as a quirky tourist attraction, drawing visitors for photographs and selfies, particularly during the midnight sun of Yukon summers or under the aurora borealis in winter. The site requires no admission fee and can be explored in 5–10 minutes, making it an accessible highlight amid Dawson's broader offerings, such as guided Gold Rush tours and cultural centers like the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre.

The Kissing Buildings symbolize the resilience and eccentricity of Dawson City, often described as the "Paris of the North" for its romantic, bohemian vibe. They underscore ongoing challenges posed by climate change, including accelerated permafrost thaw, which threatens other historic sites in the region. For those planning a visit, the best viewing occurs during daylight hours, with the surrounding dirt streets and wooden sidewalks enhancing the Gold Rush-era ambiance.

Noah V. D.

A must-see if you're in Dawson. The old buildings make for an amazing photo opportunity, but unfortunately you can't go inside of them.

Poiny

This isnt a tourist attraction this is a hazard