1911 – Winning Design for Lieutenant Governor’s Residence, Ontario, Canada

An architectural competition conducted by the Department of Public Works of the Province of Ontario for the proposed new Government House, a Lieutenant Govenors Residence. Although the conditions of the competition were not generally approved of by the profession, some of the entries were published. This work by George W. King was decided as the winning design. However, the winning proposal was not proceeded with because the Provincial Architect, Francis R. Heakes, reported that all of the entries were too costly. The proposed site was on Bloor Street East, but as that area was becoming commercial, the province moved the site to a undeveloped land in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood where a house was built some years later, to a design by Francis R. Heakes.

The architect’s statement on the design included:

“According to the final instructions of the programme, providing for a ball room which could also be utilized for dining purposes and other forms of entertainment, an arrangement is necessary which affords direct communications from this room to both the kitchen quarters and the state and private dining rooms.

While this requirement has brought about a somewhat unusual plan for such a large residence, and has to a certain extent upset the symmetry at the back of the building, it will be observed that all the state rooms can be conveniently utilized either separately or in conjunction one with the other for such functions as the occasion demands, and in connection with the terraces at months of the year when the weather permits. The remaining rooms have been arranged so as to provide direct access to the secretary’s office from the hall through the Lieutenant Governor’s private office opening off the library.

It is proposed to put a door across the hall at the grand staircase, so that the private rooms may be entirely shut off at times when gentlemen only are entertained. The arrangement is such that the Lieutenant-Governor’s family will be in no way interfered with on occasions of this character. The private entrance, verandah, conservatory and stair-case leading to the bedroom suite allotted to their use and placed immediately between the state rooms and servants’ quarters, further assists in this respect. The colonade verandah at the north of private garden shuts off the view of the servants’ quarters, and adds to the attractiveness of the scheme on that side of the house, as well as obscuring the garden from public view.”
Construction, May 1911

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