The Built Heritage Sub-Committee has recommended that Council issue a Notice of Intention to Designate the houses at 66 and 78 Lisgar Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

The Snowdon House at 66 Lisgar and the Magee House at 78 Lisgar are outstanding examples of the Queen Anne Revival style of late 19th century domestic architecture. Both homes were built in the 1890s for members of the Magee family, who were prominent figures in Ottawa's business, religious and social life of that era.

Queen Anne Revival is an eclectic style of late Victorian architecture that first appeared in England and was aimed at upper-middle class clients. Houses were generally characterized by asymmetrical façades, steeply pitched and irregular rooflines punctuated by multiple dormers, gables and chimney stacks, and sometimes elaborate wooden detailings such as cornices and bargeboards. Red brick was often the primary building material, combined with wood or stone trim.

Heritage Ottawa is pleased to see that these two exceptional buildings are candidates for designation. Both are significant to the City of Ottawa for their historical associations, excellent architectural design, and contextual significance.

Read more about the buildings and the process leading to their designation in the City Staff Report to Built Heritage Sub-Committee, Planning Committee and Council, available for dowlnoad in PDF format at the bottom of this page.