This blog has been replaced by a new website!

Hi everyone. This blog is no longer up-to-date and has been replaced by my new website.

Visit it here: https://sites.google.com/site/buildingwatching/

Thanks!

Ted

50. 'L'-Shaped Gothic Revival

The 'L'-Shape is one of the most common forms of the Gothic Revival.
Please refer to the following blogs to become acquainted with the many decorative items that mark the Gothic Revival; #2 The Gothic Revival, #16 The Early Gothic Revival, #45 The Baronial Gothic Revival, #30 The Carpenter Gothic and #15 The Bay 'n Gables (which I now believe is the 'H'-Shaped Gothic Revival).































What to look for (clues)

• At least two gables that face the street. There may be other gables on the sides.
  
  
• Lancet (pointed ) windows in these gables.

• Normally a single story projecting bay window (has windows on three sides).

• Fancy gingerbread on the eaves.

• Fancy woodwork on the verandah.

• Finials (a pointed ornament typically used on the highest points of the roof) and/or drops (a hanging ornament or pendant) from the highest points.

Where to find it

• The 'L'-Shaped Gothic Revival abounds throughout Southern Ontario in both rural and older urban settings.
• The main picture is a bed and breakfast in Elmira.
• The other pictures are, in order, Galt (Cambridge), Woodstock and Simcoe.
  

54. Quebec Colonial Revival

Quebec Colonial Revivals are modern copies of homes that originally appeared in the province of Quebec. The originals can still be found in Quebec under the style headings French Colonial and 'Quebec' House.












What to look for (clues)

• A one story house with the longer side facing the road.

• A large, moderately steep gable roof stretches down to the top of the main story (which, itself, may be slightly raised). The edge of the roof may or may not extend outward (bell cast).
  

• Two prominent dormers push through the front roof.

• Most commonly a pair of largish chimneys perches on the peak of the roof on either side or a single chimney that is normally placed directly behind the front entrance.

• The front door is normally centred with a single or double pair of windows on either side.

• A triangular shape (pediment) sometimes appears over the front door.

Where to find it

The Quebec Colonial Revival can be found in both the Maritime Provinces and Ontario.

• The brownstone house at the top ( a type of facing largely unique to the Maritimes) is located in Dorchester, New Brunswick.
• The white house is located in Kitchener and the red brick in Guelph.
• The Quebec Colonial Revival below, with the large addition, is in the village of Blair near Preston (Cambridge).

49. American Colonial Revivals

American Colonial Revival: Kitchener, Ontario

American Colonial Revivals are basically modern copies of homes that once existed along the east coast of the United States. They may have adopted portions from a number of styles that existed in this region; foremost, the Georgian, but also the Cape Cod, Saltbox and others. The American Colonial Revivals were begun around 1900 and exist up to present times.

American Colonial Revival
Kitchener, Ontario









American Colonial Revival
Kitchener, Ontario










What to look for (clues)

• Normally two stories with the longer side facing the road.

• The building is usually symmetrical but not always.
  

• A moderately steep gable roof with one or two largish chimneys perched on the peak of the roof at the side(s).

• Paired dormers are common.

• A triangular shape (pediment) frequently exists over the door.

• A transom window immediately over the door and/or sidebars (vertical windows) are common.

• Exterior finish is usually brick but may be stone or wood.

• On larger homes stone may decorate the windows; forming the lintel (above) and sill (below).

• Drainpipes from the eaves are frequently a further decoration on the facade.

Where to find it

The American Colonial Revival is a popular urban home in Southern Ontario towns and cities. The photos are from Kitchener (1 & 2), Elmira and Woodstock.

American Colonial Revival
Woodstock, Ontario

48. Jacobethan

Two old English styles that possess many similarities are the Jacobean and Elizabethan Revivals. Following the lead of a number of architectural books, I am combining the two and using the name Jacobethan. The style appeared between 1920 and 1940. While not common, the Jacobethan does appear in a number of Southern Ontario cities. (It may appear in other provinces as well, I just haven't come across it.)
















What to look for (clues)

• Unlike the Tudor, the homes are frequently constructed of a single material such as brick, stone and occasionally stucco.

• The structure is large and bulky and contains at least two storys.

• There are steeply pitched roofs with intersecting gables and/or dormers. Huge chimneys may appear at various places including the facade.

• Projected areas may stick out from the front or sides of the house.

• Sets of casement windows and decorative brickwork are common.

Where to find it

The first two buildings are in Brantford, The third is in Stratford. I'm also aware of one in Preston (Cambridge).
If you're looking for homes in Brantford be sure and check Dufferin Avenue, Lorne Crescent and Brant Avenue.
In Preston (Cambridge) visit Queenston Road, Duke Street and William Street.

47. French Provincial

The French Provincial can also be found under the names Canadian Colonial, French Period Revival and French Mansard. The style was brought back from Europe by soldiers returning from and First (1920's) and Second (1960's) World Wars. Interestingly, the style is also making a comeback in wealthy suburbs and rural areas in the 2000's.











What to look for (clues)

• Most homes have an extremely large hip roof or roofs or a smaller mansard roof.

• Second floor windows frequently break through the eaves and have an arched or curved top. Very large homes may have additional dormer windows.

• Main floor multi-paned casement windows often appear in sets of two, three or four.

• Walls are normally stone, brick or stucco.
  

• The style does not use towers.

Where to find it

Many new French Provincials are appearing in the rural areas close to the larger Southern Ontario cities. The examples above are Stratford, Kitchener and Toronto.

46. Victorian Style

I used to scoff and say that there was no such thing as a 'Victorian Style'. Although the term was in common usage, I found that it was normally used by people who did not know the proper name for an old house and called it 'Victorian' as a catch-all. They were pretty safe doing this since Queen Victoria ruled for 64 tumultuous years (1837 - 1901).

Since then I have encountered a small number of spectacular buildings that are clearly of that era, but equally clearly do not belong to any of the identified styles.
The Hochelaga Hotel in Kingston is the best example that I have found, so...I have now swallowed my pride...and identified the building as belonging to the 'Victorian Style'.