Key Number:	HS 29805
Site Name:	Holgate Residence
Other Names:
Site Type:	0101 - Residential: Single Dwelling

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			52	24	4

Address:	6210 Ada Boulevard
Number:	10
Street:	62
Avenue:
Other:
Town:	Edmonton
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:	Bungalow
Plan Shape:	Irregular
Storeys:	Storeys: 2 1/2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Nailed Frame
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Medium Gable
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Roof Trim - Eaves: Rafters Exposed Dormer Type: Shed Main Porch - Type: Open Verandah
Exterior:	Style: California Bungalow Wrap-around verandah, shed dormer, offset gable dormer, mullion windows, exposed rafters. Gingerbread woodwork decoration. Side gable roof with front gable wall dormer; wraparound verandah; turned columns; tapered brick column piers; bay window on 1st floor - concrete window surround with keystone; 1/2 timbering on upper floors; notched vergeboards; leaded windows.
Interior:	20 rooms, oak floors and panelling, 9 bedrooms. 5 bathrooms. Leaded glass, wood panelling, built-in oak cabinets, murals on the walls, and ceiling decorations, both painted and in plasterwork relief, all contribute to the luxurious surroundings.
Environment:	Neighbourhood: Highlands Compatible. Holgate Manor is located in a quiet residential area which contains buildings of same era.
Condition:	Structure: Good. Repair: Good. 8 AUG 1978.
Alterations:	Stucco has been re-coated. Kitchen. Renovation. A closed in second storey verandah has been added.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Construction begun Construction ended	1912/01/10 1913/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Residence	1913/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Bidwell A. Holgate Richard Joseph Vanderwell	1912/01/01 1983/05/05

Architect:	Nesbitt & Morehouse
Builder:	Holgate
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Bidwell A. Holgate and his business associate W.A. Magrath played an important role in the real estate boom which occurred in Edmonton prior to World War I. The rapid creation of new subdivisions and rising real estate prices were an aspect of the overall expansion of the Edmonton economy which had been sparked by the construction of Canada's second generation of transcontinental railways. Holgate's involvement in the Edmonton real estate market began in 1909 when he bought out J. H. Hart's investment in the firm of Magrath, Hart Co. The company was renamed Magrath-Holgate Co. with Holgate serving as the administrator and financier while Magrath consistently fulfilled the public role as the Company's official spokesman. The most important project of the new company was the promotion and development of The Highlands subdivision. It was their intention to create an upper class residential district. As part of their development activities, they invested $10,000 in 1911 to provide services such as street car lines, lights and power, water, sewers, telephone lines and sidewalks in order to link it with the city of Edmonton. In October 1912, only a few months after construction had begun on the Holgate residence, William Magrath and Bidwell Holgate announced the retirement of their firm from the active business field. The reason cited was that Magrath wished to devote his energies for what was ultimately an unsuccessful mayoralty bid in December of that year. Despite their expressed intention to live in comparative retirement, the firm continued to remain active and prosperous, paying out over $3,500.00 weekly for labour and a total of $75,000.00 for building materials during 1912-13. Magrath-Holgate Co. Ltd. also continued their promotional and developmental activities in the Highlands, where, by 1913, over $700,000.00 had been spent on residential construction. As one of the biggest of Edmonton's real estate firms, Magrath-Holgate Co. Ltd. must have suffered tremendous financial and property losses from the collapse of the real estate market. Yet despite the abysmal state of the real estate market, the company remained in existence until 1921, a year after the death of William Magrath. Also in 1921, the Holgate family moved out of the residence at 6210 Ada Boulevard and into another one of Holgate's properties located at 6010 Jasper Avenue. The move was clearly associated with a decline in Holgate's personal fortunes but in no way was it necessitated by financial collapse. Some six years later Holgate still owned enough property in Edmonton to be in a position of exchanging lots with the City, and he was also renting some 93 vacant lots from the City in 1927-28. Holgate apparently went into full retirement from the real estate business in 1923. While in hospital for diabetic treatments, he contracted pneumonia and died suddenly on November 27, 1928. His wife Mabel continued living in Edmonton until 1931, when she moved with her daughter Gertrude and son George to Belleville, Ontario, where her eldest son Jack already resided. ***** Bidwell A. Holgate originally came from Foxboro, Ontario. In 1909 he became partners with William Magrath. In 1912 construction was started on Holgate's home and was completed in 1913. Holgate and his family resided there until 1921, when they moved to another of his properties at 6010 Jasper Avenue (now 111 Avenue) where he lived until his death in 1928. His wife Mabel remained until 1931 when she moved to Belleville, Ontario. The house design, both the exterior and interior is predominately influenced by the Edwardian Style. (Provincial Historic Resource - 1987). *** Bidwell Holgate remembered as the quieter partner in Magrath-Holgate Co. Ltd. He was born in Ontario in 1877 and came to Edmonton in 1908. In 1909 he bought out J.H. Hart, W.J. Magrath's original business partner, and entered the booming real estate market at the top. Holgate's timing could hardly have been better. Edmonton grew rapidly after the turn of the century, and by 1909 the real estate market was expanding at a phenomenal rate. However, the story changed drastically after 1913, and successful speculation became nearly impossible. Holgate's fortunes suffered after this date, but unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not suffer personal ruin. Before the boom went bust, Holgate made large investments in The Highlands subdivision. In addition to the lots he purchased with W.J. Magrath, and the houses they erected on speculation, he also sank a lot of money into his own home. Initially, it was to cost $19,000. The June 1912 building permit listed Nesbitt Morehouse as the architects, and Holgate was his own contractor. Ten months later, a second permit for a $10,000 garage with living quarters was issued to him with Morehouse as both architect and contractor. Finally, a third permit was issued to Holgate in September 1913, increasing by $20,000 the value of the house. In all, Holgate invested $49,000 in the buildings on his Ada Boulevard property. The Holgate Residence is an impressive house. It provided a comfortable home for the Holgate family, but also served as a symbol of The Highlands. The campaign which launched the subdivision in 1910 stated that both Magrath and Holgate would built their homes in The Highlands. This was supposed to get other well-to-do Edmontonians to move to the subdivision. By 1912, Holgate and Magrath were anxious to improve sales. They had their Ada Boulevard addresses printed in the city directory in that year, in bold type, even though their houses were not finished. The style of the Holgate Residence is drawn from a variety of sources. The half-timbering of the upper floors points to the Tudor Revival Style. However, the wide eaves, expansive verandah, and the low pitch of the many gable roofs show an awareness of the Prairie Style. The English Arts and Crafts movement, which promoted the use of traditional materials and skilled artisans also had a role. Craftsmanship is particularly visible on the interior of the Holgate Residence. Leaded glass, wood panelling, built-in oak cabinets, murals on the walls, and ceiling decorations, both painted and in plasterwork relief, all contribute to the luxurious surroundings, Morehouse was clearly well versed in the currently popular styles and had been give free reing to use the best finishes. In 1920, Holgate, his wife Mabel and their two children, moved out of the mansion and into a more modest home on 111 Avenue. Contrary to local lore, the Holgate Residence was not seized for taxes, but was bought by an investment company in January of 1920. In 1923, Holgate retired, and in 1928 he died suddenly at the age of 50 while being treated for diabetes. During the twenty-one years which passed before the Holgate Residence was again owner-occupied, Walter S. Campbell, who managed a variety of companies during his tenancy, rented the house. The Holgate Residence has remained a single family home, and has survived with its character intact. On the other hand, the estate which surrounded the mansion in 1912 has been eroded over the years. In 1959 a large portion passed to the city of Edmonton, and in 1962 the garage was demolished to make way for a house. Many grand homes were built in Edmonton before WWI. Most were located close to downtown, and have since been demolished. The relative remoteness of the Holgate and Magrath Residences certainly saved them from a similar fate. The Ada Boulevard streetscape composed of the Davidson, Holgate, Magrath and Ash Residences is one of only a few remaining in the city. The Holgate Residence was renovated several times before 1983, but the changes - except those made to the kitchen - were generally sensitive to the character of the house. Since 1983, the Holgate Residence has been owned by the Vanderwall family. Richard Vanderwell, architect, has restored its original elegance. The house was designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1987. *** Completed in 1913, this grand and imposing residence on Ada Boulevard was the home of real estate magnate and developer, Bidwell Holgate, of the Magrath-Holgate Company Ltd. His family home served as a symbol of The Highlands, and helped launch the development campaign which was aimed at enticing other well-to-do Edmontonians into the area. By the time the house was completed, Holgate had invested $49,000 in its construction and detailing. An eclectic combination of various styles, the building features highlights of the Tudor Revival style and Prairie School, as well as the English Arts Crafts movement. A distinguishing characteristic is the massive wrap around verandah with turned wooden columns and tapered brick piers with quoining. The Ada Boulevard streetscape exhibits a number of grand homes constructed before World War I, that escaped demolition partly due to their remoteness from the city's downtown core. This home is currently owned by a local architect and has been lovingly preserved. * * * HOLGATE MANSION (1912) Manor Retains Regal Character The Tudor Revival Holgate Mansion was built in 1912 by real estate entrepreneur Bidwell A. Holgate who came to Edmonton from Ontario in 1908. The 5,500-square-foot, three-storey mansion is encircled by a verandah on three sides. It has a second floor balcony, as well a number of sleeping porches. The house cost $35,000 to build and originally occupied a five-acre site. Facing south, the rambling but regal mansion has a view of the North Saskatchewan River valley. The garage and an outdoor swimming pool were installed by subsequent owners Michael and June Liknaitzky. Richard and Jeanie Vanderwell, who bought the house in 1983 for $265,000, said the house is in good structural condition, although the balconies and sleeping porches need repairs. Since buying the home, the Vanderwells have stripped carpeting from the main floor to expose the original oak flooring. They have also renovated the kitchen. The front door opens to a vestibule with leaded glass windows. The foyer features oak parquet flooring and panelling, linen wallcoverings and a vintage brass light fixture. A mahogany-finished ladies' parlour, to the foyer's left, has hand-painted flower frescos on the ceiling, highlighted by ornate plaster moulding or dentils. The living room entrance on the other side of the foyer is flanked by oak pillars. Here oak panelling and ceiling beams are found. There is a hammered brass fireplace, as well as a leaded glass door to the verandah. The dining room has a built-in oak china cabinet or breakfront with leaded glass doors. There are oak ceiling beams and linen wallcoverings. A smoking parlour or den has a tile fireplace and built-in shelving, plus an original four-wall painting depicting the settlement of western Canada. A butler's pantry and the kitchen complete the main floor.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Municipal A List Provincial Historic Resource	1987/05/06

Register:	A70

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0516