Ravenscrag

Ravenscrag is a stone mansion in Ville-Marie set on expansive grounds with a tower and arched windows looking out over Montreal. The building showcases elaborate masonry work and multiple rooms designed to display the wealth and taste of its original owners.

The house was built in 1863 for Sir Hugh Allan, a wealthy shipping magnate whose fortune was among the largest in North America. For decades it stood as one of the biggest and most costly private residences in Canada, shaping the city's architectural character.

The residence reflects Montreal's gilded era when wealthy families built grand homes as markers of their social standing. Inside, the spaces still reveal the owner's taste for European art and fine craftsmanship.

The grounds are accessible from Pine Avenue West and sit within landscaped land attached to a psychiatric institute. Visitors should know this is an active medical facility, so access may vary depending on current operations and visiting rules.

A large conservatory once stretched the length of a major interior space and was filled with fragrant flowers displayed during grand New Year celebrations. This luxurious plant house was a sign of wealth and showed how the owners used their home for major social gatherings.

Location: Ville-Marie

Inception: 1863

Architects: John William Hopkins

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Part of: Mont-Royal Heritage Site

GPS coordinates: 45.50590,-73.58210

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:56