Burns Manor

Burns Manor is a sandstone house in Calgary with three stories, steep-pitched gables, and detailed stone carvings across its exterior. The building displayed ornamental elements such as gargoyles and heraldic shields carved directly into the facade.

Construction took place from July 1900 to January 1903, designed by architect Francis Rattenbury for businessman Patrick Burns. It represented the kind of grand residential architecture that emerged as Calgary grew into a prosperous business center.

The interior reflected how successful early 1900s businesspeople in Calgary lived, with imported eastern hardwoods and English furnishings throughout the rooms. Such choices showed their wealth and connections to wealthy circles across the British world.

The building stopped being a private home after 1939 and became a boarding house, later serving as a convalescent facility for military veterans. Today the site exists mainly in memory and through historical records, as the original structure no longer stands.

The building was demolished in 1956, but nearby residents rescued materials such as oak mantles and decorative tiles to preserve the architectural heritage. These salvaged pieces survive as tangible reminders of a structure that no longer stands.

Location: Alberta

Inception: 1903

Architects: Francis Rattenbury

Floors above the ground: 3

Made from material: sandstone

GPS coordinates: 51.04120,-114.07200

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44