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Lord Strathcona House(1911) Dorchester and Fort Streets, Montreal, QC, Canada Residential, Urban house Client: Lord Strathcona Description: Donald Alexander Smith, who later became Lord Strathcona, was born in 1820 in a small cottage next to the old Castle Bridge over the Mosset Burn in Forres, Scotland. He was one of the pioneers of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1879, he founded the Saint-Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company that was incorporated with George Stephen as President and Lord Strathcona - Donald Smith - as Principal Director. In 1880, a syndicate was formed with the aim of completing a Canadian transcontinental railway. On December 10 the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's contract was tabled before the House of Commons, with George Stephen as one of the eight signatories. Lord Strathcona was not, at his own request, among them but was still deeply involved. The building commenced on May 2, 1881 at an average of 2.6 miles per day. On November 7, 1885, the railway was officially completed at 9.30 am when Lord Strathcona drove the last spike at Craigellachie, British Columbia.
The house Lord Strathcona built for himself around 1880 was one of the most magnificent houses in Montreal. An unknown architect in a late-Victorian style, with a blend of Scottish and French nineteenth-century style designed it. The roof of the tower, the dormer windows, and many other French details contrasted the characteristic rough-textured and cut stone. In 1911, Lord Strathcona engaged the Maxwell brothers to design some additions and alterations to the house. The work included the design of a new conservatory depicting a splendid Beaux-Arts decoration, which included Corinthian pilasters, large medallions, and crests. Holdings: Urban house | |
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