John Wilson McConnell House, Heritage mansion in Ville-Marie, Canada.
The John Wilson McConnell House is a three-story residence in Italianate style, distinguished by symmetrical facades, arched windows, and decorative brackets throughout. The structure demonstrates the classical proportions and ornamental details typical of this architectural approach.
Construction took place between 1913 and 1914 for John Wilson McConnell, a Canadian businessman with major interests in the sugar industry and newspaper publishing. This period saw wealthy entrepreneurs in Montreal building such grand residences as statements of their business success.
The mansion bears the name of its original owner and reflects how wealthy families in early 20th-century Montreal adopted European architectural styles to display their status. The Italianate design with its ornamental details was a common choice among the city's most prominent residents of that era.
The house sits on Avenue des Pins Ouest in Montreal and is easily visible from the street along this residential avenue. Visitors should know this is a private residence and can only be viewed from outside.
The residence served for several years as a Benedictine priory and meditation center before returning to residential use in the early 2000s. This unexpected second life is often overlooked and adds an intriguing spiritual chapter to the building's story.
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