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Molstad Residence
Edmonton
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Molstad Residence is large two and one-half storey residential building clad in brick and cedar shingles from the pre-World War One period. It is located on a corner lot on 95th Avenue, once known as Molstad Avenue, in an older residential neighbourhood in what is now the Bonnie Doon community in southeast Edmonton.
Heritage Value
The Molstad Residence is significant for its association with entrepreneurship and residential development in Edmonton before the First World War. Built for Edward and Addie Molstad in 1912, it was part of a larger estate that occupied five lots and once included expansive grounds and gardens, fountains, circular drive, carriage house, and servants' quarters. The imposing residence reflected how Edward Molstad, who sold real estate and insurance, was able to capitalize - and contribute to - the economic health and dramatic growth of the city before 1914. Molstad established the Fort George and Fraser Valley Land Company and one of Edmonton's oldest and largest real estate companies, Molstad and Company Ltd.
The house is an impressive example of an urban four-square design, larger and of higher quality of design and materials than most. At one time divided into six apartments, the interior has been restored to the original plan as a single-family dwelling. The Molstad Residence is significant as a landmark on a corner location in the north part of the neighbourhood and provides a structural link to local history.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 1684)
Character-Defining Elements
To retain the elements of the four-square design such as:
- scale, form and massing;
- the symmetry of the principle facades;
- brick cladding and masonry first floor, cedar shingles for the second floor walls;
- the entrance comprised of a tetra style two-storey portico and balcony;
- hip roof with bell cast eaves and hip dormers;
- double-hung windows; single hung windows and dormers including oriel window;
- widows walk and balustrade at the roof peak;
- prominent brick chimney;
- restored interior layout (entrance hall with fireplaces, den, living room, dining room, kitchen, kitchen staircase; second floor hall, three bedrooms, bathroom);
- hardwood (maple) flooring on the first and second floors;
- interior details such as radiators, original light fixtures, restored wood (oak) trims, doors, fireplace surrounds, staircases, built-ins, and restored plaster walls and ceilings.
Location
| Street Address: |
9633 - 95 Avenue NW |
| Community: |
Edmonton |
| Boundaries: |
Lot 8, Block 3, Plan 8622025 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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24
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52
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33
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7 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
8622025
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3
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8
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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53.531816 |
-113.477010 |
Secondary Source |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1996/11/18 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1912 to 1914 |
| Period of Significance: |
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| Theme(s): |
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
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| Historic Function(s): |
Residence : Estate
Residence : Single Dwelling
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| Current Function(s): |
Residence : Single Dwelling
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Molstad House was constructed in 1912 for Edward and Addie Molstad, who had recently arrived in Edmonton during one of its earliest real estate booms. Mr. Molstad sold real estate and insurance and established Edmonton's oldest surviving real estate company (known today as Molstad and Co.) soon after his arrival. Constructed with three stories of brick, the elegance of the residence was enhanced with its expansive hilltop grounds, fountains, a carriage house and circular driveway. While some of these features have disappeared, the present appearance of the property make it a strong symbol of the vibrant real estate industry that helped establish Edmonton so rapidly before the outbreak of World War One.
(Site Information Summary) |
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0504 |
| Designation File: |
DES 1684 |
| Related Listing(s): |
4664-0104
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 75877
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1684) |
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