Edward Maxwell House [Maxwelton](1910)
Baie d'Urfé, QC, Canada
Residential, Country house [2 floors, attic, 5 bedrooms, 3 servants' rooms]; stone; composite

Client: Edward Maxwell
Architect: E. & W.S. Maxwell

Description: Edward Maxwell was in-charge of building many residences for his clients on the West Island. In order to supervise the construction of these houses, it was necessary for him to stay nearby. In 1908, he purchased sixty-nine acres of farm and orchard land at Baie d’Urfé and he built a new country house for himself called Maxwelton in 1910. Contrary to the plans of Bois-de-la-Roche and Pine Bluff, Maxwelton was quite different in design and reflects Norman Shaw’s English Villa. The involvement of William in the design process resulted in a dignified and elegant country house in the midst of orchards, meadows, thickets and abundant flowers. The central structure is covered by a long double-sloped roof and is flanked by two perpendicular gables. Built of bronze-coloured, rusticated stone, the building displays an orderly fenestration and symmetrical composition. This indicates the academic style of William, rather than the picturesque style generally shown in Edward’s designs. At the same time, many details such as the triple windows in the servants’ wing, and the entrance openings reveal Edward’s work. On the ground floor, the entrance passage hall leads to a bigger dining room and living room on either side and terminates with the stairs. A glazed verandah overlooking the orchards and flowers projects out of the living room at the side. Secondary stairs which were mostly used by the servants to reach their rooms on the upper floor occupy the back of the living room. The first floor accommodates five large bedrooms, a sewing room and three servants’ bedrooms. Maxwelton does not reflect Edward’s taste and preference for irregular plans, oval rooms, arts and craft’s décor and the general picturesque appearance that we find in Tillietudlem, the New Brunswick summer house. According to Edward’s grandson, Henry Yates, Edward’s wife never considered Maxwelton a family home and spent only one summer at Baie d’Urfé. She liked to bring up her children in Tillietudlem, and spent most of her time there. This may be the reason, why Edward was not keen to work on the design of Maxwelton and left his younger brother William to do the job. After moving his family to Maxwelton in 1910, Edward started raising Jersey Cattle and soon became renowned for the quality of his dairy herd. Until 1950, Maxwelton was considered to be one of the most attractive farms in Quebec. Today the property consists of only two acres and is still privately owned.

Holdings: Country house (2 floors, attic, 5 bedrooms, 3 servants' rooms); stone; composite
13 Drawings: 13 black line
7 Working drawings: floor plans, attic floor plan, elevations, structure
6 Detail drawings: elevations, structure, stairs, fireplaces, bay, porch