J.K.L. Ross House(5/1908-6/1910)
3647 Peel Street, Montreal, QC, Canada
Residential, Urban house [basement, 3 floors, 3 bedrooms, 1 guest's room, 5 servants' rooms, servants' hall]; stone; wall bearing with steel reinforcement

Client: John Kenneth Leveson Ross
Architect: E. & W.S. Maxwell

Description: J.K.L. Ross, son of James Ross, engineer and CPR contractor who settled in Montreal in 1888, became part of the syndicate that built the electrified railways in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Saint John. He was also a leading developer in the iron and coal industry of Cape Breton, and director of the Bank of Montreal. James Ross’ son spent his time at the racetracks and sport activities. After he graduated from McGill University (B.A.Sc.) J.K.L.’s father trained him for a business career in the various Ross enterprises. When J.K.L. married Ethel Matthews of Toronto, his father built him a Peel Street mansion. Edward and William Maxwell were hired to design this house which combines 18th century English and Beaux-arts styles. The façades resembles a Palladian villa with a sophisticated combination of Baroque details. The arrangement of elements were inspired by the end pavilions of Maxwell’s Saskatchewan legislative building. Two-storey Ionic pilasters, supporting a broken pediment and a projecting balcony emphasize the centre and entrance of the front façade. The effect of symmetry and centrality is enhanced by means of a cornice with a parapet marking the roof. On the north and east elevation, the detailing is reduced or eliminated altogether and the rear façade is constructed of economical yellow brick. On the ground floor, the layout consists of a central axis composed of entrance vestibule, hall and breakfast room. The main stair marks the secondary axis. In the interior, the hall features chamfered corners, a common pattern in Edward’s architecture. Warm-toned classical paneling, a fireplace and fluted pilasters in Tuscan order are also distinctive elements of the interior. The elegant staircase is finished in white marble with an oak handrail. The dining room with wood-panelling matches nicely with the hall, while the drawing room has a refined character with a plaster ceiling. After being occupied by the Ross family, this magnificent building was used by Marianopolis College from 1946 to 1976, until McGill University purchased it. The faculty of Law now uses it.

Holdings: Urban house (basement, 3 floors, 3 bedrooms, 1 guest's room, 5 servants' rooms, servants' hall); stone; wall bearing with steel reinforcement
142 Drawings: 71 ink on linen; 11 ink on paper; 30 pencil on paper; 30 blueprints
1 Survey drawing: property plan
1 Measured drawing: site plan
51 Sketch drawings: floor plans, elevations, halls, dining room, nursery, structure, electrical, mechanical, stairs, fireplace, grilles, fittings, ironwork
2 Presentation drawings: site plan, exterior perspective
14 Working drawings: floor plans, roof plan, elevations, section, structure
65 Detail drawings: floor plan, ceiling plans, elevations, den, drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, halls, entries, archways, structure, stairs, fireplaces, mantelpiece, chimneys, bays, skylight, doors, furniture, railings, grilles, fittings, terazzo floors, finishes, woodwork, ironwork, masonry, cornice, balcony, gallery, roof hatch, entry gates
8 Consultant drawings: grading plans, topography, structure
2 Photographs: 2 finished exteriors
Comment: 2 drawings by Frederick G. Todd, Landscape Architect, dated 1909; 1 by T.W. Lesage, dated 8/1903; and 1 by Dominion Bridge Company Ltd., dated 6/1908, are included. Early sketch proposal for house by W.S Maxwell, dated 1903.

Comments: 2 drawings by Frederick G. Todd, Landscape Architect, dated 1909; 1 by T.W. Lesage, dated 8/1903; and 1 by Dominion Bridge Company Ltd., dated 6/1908, are included. Early sketch proposal for house by W.S Maxwell, dated 1903.