Top Five Famous Canadian Houses
When you think of well-known homes, you probably think about the sprawling celebrity estates, à la Los Angeles, that you see on television. While we could talk about Kirstie Alley’s estate with a separate house for her pet lemurs, I thought we could take a break from Hollywood and celebrate a slice of the true north with these five famous Canadian houses:
Habitat 67
Image Courtesy of Ykah (Public Domain)
Habitat 67 had humble beginnings as a thesis project back when its creator, Moshe Safdie, was a Masters student at McGill University. He initially proposed the idea as a way to merge the best of suburb living – gardens, fresh air, and privacy – with the modern, high density aspects of urban living. Safdie’s vision was to create beautiful, affordable housing for city life.
He was later approved to build his Habitat project as a pavilion for Expo 67. It consists of 354 identical pre-fabricated concrete block structures that have been arranged in diverse combinations. It remains a famous part of Montreal’s skyline.
Vancouver’s Hobbit House
Image Courtesy of Kyle Pearce (C.C. 2.0)
It’s a long way from the Shire, but Vancouver’s hobbit home was originally built in 1942 by developer Brenton Lea. Designed as a storybook home, it was made entirely with Canadian materials – like the steam bent cedar shingles that gives the roof its trademark wavy appearance. It was recently on the market for $2.86 million and sold to a company that plans to renovate and sell it as a single family dwelling.
Hatley Castle
Image Courtesy of Smably (Public Domain)
Hatley Castle found its beginning with James Dunsmuir, Lieutenant Governor of Canada, and his wife, Laura. The home is located in what is now Greater Victoria area. They purchased land and built a 40 room mansion in the Scottish baronial style in 1906. It was reported that over a 100 people maintained the extensive
gardens in Dunsmuir’s time.
The property was later sold to the Government of Canada in 1939. At the outbreak of WWII, contingency plans were made for King George VI and his family to make their home at Hatley Castle in Canada. Ultimately, it was decided by the Royal Family and the government that they would stay in the U.K. through the war.
The estate is maintained and insured by Royal Roads University and has been featured in many Hollywood films – ranging from the X Men movies to episodes of Smallville
Anne of Green Gables
Image Courtesy of Erin Brierly (C.C. 2.0)
Anne of Green Gables is a famous Canadian book about head-strong orphan Anne who comes to live with a family on their farm, Green Gables, located in Cavendish Prince Edward Island. Lucy Maude Montgomery, the author of all things Anne, was inspired to write about Green Gables after visiting her cousin. This cousin’s home is one of the famous Canadian houses because of the beloved Anne and her adventures.
Many of the special places in the book, like Balsam Hollow, Lovers’ Lane, and the Haunted Woods, come from the farm’s surroundings and have been preserved as a park by the federal government.
Harrington Lake
Image Courtesy of CanadasCapital (Public Domain)
Originally built by lumber baron Cameron McPherson Edwards when he acquired the land in the 1920s, Harrington Lake was later bought by the King in Right of Canada in 1951. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker’s supporters made it known that it would be great for him to have a place to go fishing and later that year; the cottage was chosen as his country residence.
While it does lack Camp David’s scary military overtones, people are not permitted entrance to the home or grounds near Meech Lake in Gatineau Park, Quebec.
These famous Canadian houses offer a look at our history and culture, and remind us of who we are as a people.
Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock