Architectural Heritage
Beaconsfield is rich in history and is fortunate that several old buildings remain as faithful witnesses of that past. Aware of the priceless value of this architectural heritage, the City has inventoried the buildings of historical significance on its territory.
The City can count on the valuable support of the Beaconsfield-Beaurepaire Historical Society and the West Island heritage tour. In short, our heritage is in good hands!
Available at the Library or via the Library online catalogue.
Beaconsfield and Beaurepaire par Robert L. Baird and Gisèle Hall, 1998
Available at the Library or via the Library online catalogue
The property located at 33 Gables Court in Beaconsfi eld has won the annual La maison coup de Coeur contest organized by the City of Montreal as part of the 23rd Montreal Architectural Heritage campaign (OPAM).
This home, built in 1951 in the classic English style, has been remarkably maintained. It has a hipped roof and wood siding. The main entrance and original wooden windows give the house a great deal of charm. The addition of an attached garage in the 70s complies with the original architectural style.
In 1960, the architectural fi rm Caruso and Rosen designed a house that today, with its unique design and outstanding maintenance by the owners, represents an heritage interest of 60s modern architecture. The simplicity of its design and its volume, the combination of materials and the design of the inner courtyard authenticate this architecture.
This exceptional modern home was designed in 1966 by the well known architect, Roger d’Astous. The long, narrow shape of the building takes advantage of the topography of the lot and maximizes the view of the lake. The many windows combine with the fieldstone and wood of the exterior walls to foster the remarkable integration of the building with its environment. The home exhibits the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of Roger d’Astous’ professors. Many renovations have been carried out during the past several years, all of which respect the style of the house and reinforce its architectural characteristics.
This home was built during the first quarter of the 19e century as proven by the date, 1819, carved into the stonework. An excellent example of the Quebec Saint-Lawrence Valley style, with a roughly dresses stone exterior, a pitched roof with gabled windows on the second floor and chimneys for the two fireplaces found at each side of the main floor. It is remarkable that this home has always been occupied by descendants of the Valois family. Because of continual maintenance and recent restoration, this amazing house, is one of the oldest still standing in Beaconsfield, has maintained its original style and charm.
This opulent summer villa was built in 1916 on an outstanding waterfront property. The first level of the house is covered with white stucco, the slightly curved second storey is clad in cedar shakes and an impressive field stone chimney pierces the gabled roof. The exterior forms, use of natural materials and the details of the woodwork are elements influenced the Arts and Crafts style and customized by architect Hugh Thackeray Turner. Because of the high degree of integrity and the ongoing effort of the owners to maintain the building, this house an important part of the City’s heritage.
Built in 1912, this house has a hipped roof with a single dormer window facing the street. The original double windows on the first floor have been maintained and the original balcony remains on the two sides of the house. The charm of this architecturally interesting house was preserved thanks to the efforts and determination of the owners.
This Tudor/Georgian-style house was designed in 1932 by architect L.N. Booth, a member of the famous Royal Institute of British Architects. Elements such as neo-Georgian vestibules flanked by Doric columns and crowned with pediments, a gabled roof, and cedar-shingled exterior give this house a remarkably elegant style, One of the most typical of that period in Beaconsfield, its excellent condition and richness of architectural heritage reflect the regular maintenance and respect for original architecture of all of its owners since construction.
The exceptional and unique character of this house, built in 1770, has earned it recognition as a Historical Monument by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles in 1975. Many historical data have confirmed that the house was mainly used for commercial activities, specifically the fur trade. Also, three “meurtières” on the front side indicate that the building could have been a fortified trading post. The foundation, between 69 and 91 cm thick, is composed of field stone. The basement roof is made completely of beams placed side by side as is the case for the Château Ramesay.
Maison Napoléon Valois
Constructed by Napoléon Valois in 1890, this building is one of the most remarkable and intact farmhouses in the Beaconsfield area. It is topped by an imposing mansard roof covered with crimped sheet metal with a breaking slope itself covered with black slate cut into a fish scale design. As they were originally, the exterior walls are made with lapped joint wood siding. Thanks to careful maintenance, this residence still has the architectural components of its period, such as elaborate dormers and the large porch surrounding the ground floor.
Probably built at the end of the 19th century, this lovely house with a mansard roof reminds us of a bygone era when the area was predominantly agricultural. With its clapboard siding and casement windows with wooden shutters, it grew with the needs of family and work. This home represents a fine example of traditional local architecture and an important amount of conservation.