A. McArthur Store([1896])
Lancaster, ON, Canada
Commercial, Retail store [basement, 2 floors, 2 floor apartment]; brick; composite

Client: A. McArthur
Architect: E. Maxwell

Description: Edward Maxwell designed McArthur’s Store with a central double-door entrance that was flanked by two expansive and rectangular front windows. Two Doric pilasters framed the entire façade, one for each front corner. An impressive cornice that ran the entire length of the façade, included a finely detailed coat-of-arms on the pediment above the front door. A centrally arched pediment window, with its own pilasters, was set above the doorway as well. Bold cornice lines also banded the trim beneath the roof and above the second storey windows. The floor plan reveals three distinct functions to the building. The retail floor was partitioned equally in two, suggesting twin businesses in mind for the same premises. A separate staircase leading to the basement was at the rear of each section. Directly above the store was the public hall and lodge room that was accessed by its own side entrance and staircase. The open hall with its large arched and doubled entrance had a movable stage platform. Twin dressing rooms led to it and a large cloakroom located behind it. Finally, the apartment dwelling that was at the back of the store, accessed by a separate entrance at the side of the building. The apartment covered both floors, with a secondary staircase leading to the upper bedrooms. A living room and parlour were on the ground floor, and a large storage shed was at the rear of the building.

Holdings: Retail store (basement, 2 floors, 2 floor apartment); brick; composite
9 Drawings: 9 blueprints
6 Development drawings: floor plans, elevations, section
3 Detail drawings: structure