Presents
117 Gower Street - Sold
Vernacular Downtown Architecture at it’s Best
John Thomas Southcott was born in St. John’s in 1853. His father James and his uncle John, had come to St. John’s from Exeter, England in 1847 to assist in the rebuilding of the City after the 1846 fire. They were, for most of the next 50 years, the major contractors in the City involved in both construction and design, operating under the name of J. & J.T. Southcott, and no firm had such a marked influence on the island’s architecture as did this firm. The range of their capabilities was profound as they built both the Heart’s Content Cable Station and the St. John’s Athenaeum, together with such residential properties as 34-36 Circular Rd, Park Place on Rennies Mill Rd, Park House on Military Road, Devon Row on Duckworth St. , and many houses that were constructed after the fire of 1892 including the stunning vernacular structures at 115, 117, and 119 Gower St., the middle one being the structure currently offered here.
When building the Heart’s Content Cable Station, it was said of James Southcott that he was: “hard but honest: he would not drive a nail free, but what he said he would do, I could always rely on being done”.
After an apprenticeship with J. & J.T. Southcott, John Thomas was sent to Exeter to study architecture with W.R. Best, who had been in Newfoundland from 1849-1855. Best was an architect and artist and during his time in Newfoundland he drew ten views of buildings in the City which were lithographed by W. Spreat and published by Frederick R. Page of St. John’s. Best also drew “A View of the Harbour and Town of St. John’s” which was also published by Page. These views represent to this day, the best collection of illustrations of St. John’s and its early 19th century architecture and are a testament to the capabilities of John Southcott’s mentor and teacher.
John Southcott’s return to St. John’s in 1876 saw the general introduction of the Second Empire style to Newfoundland, which has come to characterize the architecture of the City. Its form and embellishments are outstanding, with concave-curved mansard roof, bonnet topped dormers, decorative cornices under the eaves, and bay windows. His work became known as the Southcott style and each year, in Southcott’s honour, the Newfoundland Historic Trust presents the Southcott Awards for excellence in restoration of heritage structures.
Following the Great Fire of 1892, which destroyed an enormous section of the downtown area of St. John’s, John Southcott built the three properties 115, 117 and 119 Gower. It has been said that he built these three houses for his daughters, Anna, Emma and Alice and that Nurse Mary Southcott, who became Superintendent of Nurses for the General Hospital and, in 1903 began the first Training School for Nurses in Newfoundland, lived at 117 Gower St. The date of construction could have been in 1893 or within a short period of time after 1893. Pride of ownership has continued to this day with original vernacular character remaining completely intact.
The House.
Main Floor: A very stylish and unique stained & bevelled-glass entryway leads one into the front hall; soaring 11’ ceilings, plastered arch and cove mouldings, and permeating this space with a warm, cheerful light. The leaded glass work by Pickavance, although new, has been lovingly crafted in the old way of master glass craftsmen and complements the original glass still in place in this magnificent entrance.
Throughout the entire home the craft of the builder is inherent, displaying vintage hardwood floors and softwood floors, original scrolled stairway mouldings, plaster rosettes, paneled mouldings under the windows and extra-wide solid-wood trim detail.
On the left, the living room offers an elegant, but comfortable area for entertaining guests; the original slate fireplace has been approved and certified for use with a new flue liner.
The dining room is located conveniently between the living room and kitchen for the advantage of both host and guest. The original French doors were removed, but retained and stored in the basement if the buyer should wish to re-install them between living room and dining room.
The kitchen is a chef’s delight! Designed and used by a chef with a large bright window facing the harbour; open, custom-built, blonde-oak shelving and closed cabinetry, walk-in pantry, separate storage area, a Propane six-burner Garland stove, and ample space to prepare sumptuous feasts. To the rear of the kitchen is a large, sunny 20’ X 12’ deck to extend your gathering. Underneath this deck is parking for a small car entering from Holloway St.
Second Floor: The Master bedroom has been extended to include a large, delightful ensuite containing a large closet, a six-foot long antique claw-foot soaker tub in addition to the 3 pc bathroom, all with delightful harbour & downtown views. To use the fireplace in this room, and next door, a flue liner is required. The second room has been used as a study/library but could easily convert to a guest bedroom. The main bathroom has ceramic tile, is bright and airy with updated fixtures.
Third Floor:
The deck, overlooking St. John’s Harbour is a spectacular space where you can enjoy views of sun rising over the narrows and setting on the Southside Hills and the activity in the harbour and the City below will create daily interest. Then step inside to the third floor that gives one the feel of a peaceful sanctuary away from the bustle of the world. The owners have opened up this space with a stunning room divider of six beautiful panels of stained glass surrounding the opening. The result is a combined TV /family room and office (shelving to remain). This is truly ‘a room with a view’ for all weather! The charming Vermont Castings Intrepid wood stove has been installed with a new flue liner, has been approved and certified for use and will enhance relaxing evenings at home with a good movie. The third room is a handy 9’ X 8’ storage/utility room or a small bedroom. A convenient skylight in the hall draws natural daylight into the top floor and well down into the staircase.
The Basement: A neatly organized basement has been divided conveniently into many functional uses: a large wine cellar (wine racks to be removed), a laundry room with sink, a workshop, a utility room and a large open storage area. The floor is concrete and this dry basement is ideal for a large workshop or a variety of other uses
Structure: The three Southcott houses in this row have all been solidly constructed with fire safety uppermost in mind – All three homes have brick noggin between the studs in the wall from , as a flame retarding barrier. There is no doubt that Southcott chose this form of construction as the legacy of the impact of the fire of 1892 would have still have been very profound.
Another unusual feature, which is a testament to the quality of construction is the fact that it was determined a number of years ago when sister house at 115 Gower was being renovated, that the studs are of heavy timber and are tenoned into the sills. Another signature feature of Southcott construction The roof was renewed in 2009 with a complete torched-on sealant. All plumbing and electrical was completely updated and renewed in 1980 at which time the old oil furnace was removed and electric baseboard heat added throughout, resulting in a surprisingly low electric bill . Fibreglass insulation was added during those renovations; to the roof, front and rear walls.
One might notice upon scrutiny, that all three houses share a unique characteristic. The owners collaborated on their similar front entryways and commissioned etched glasswork reflecting their favourite Newfoundland native wildflowers. The door at 115 has the inimitable Pitcher Plant, 117 has the exotic Showy Lady’s Slipper, and 119 has the exquisite Twin Flower. The three Southcott sisters would approve.
Enjoy the remaining photos (room dimensions noted at the end of photos)
For an appointment to view the best of vernacular downtown architecture, call Chris O’Dea at 685-6559 (area code 709) or email cod@warp.nfld.net
Click thumbnail below to enlarge image:
Approximate room sizes |
|
Main floor |
|
| Living Room | 14 ft by 14 ft |
| Dining Room | 14 ft by 13.5 ft |
| Kitchen | 13 ft by 16.5 ft |
| Pantry 1 | 3 ft by 9 ft |
| Pantry 2 | 3 ft by 3 ft |
| Front Porch | 5 ft by 5.5 ft |
| Hallway | 6.5 ft by 21 ft |
Second floor |
|
| Master bedroom | 14 ft by 13.5 ft |
| Master ensuite | 12.5 ft by 15 ft |
| Bedroom / office | 13.5 ft by 13.5 ft |
Third floor |
|
| Office | 11 ft by 13.5 ft |
| Den | 13 ft by 15.5 ft |
| Spare room | 9 ft by 8 ft |
Basement |
|
| Workshop | 13.5 ft by 18.5 ft |
| Laundry Room | 5.5 ft by 7 ft |
| Wine Cellar | 13.5 ft by 8.5 ft |
| Storage | 12.5 ft by 10 ft |
| Other | 8 ft by 6 ft |
Approximate size by floor |
|
| Main floor | 850 sq ft |
| Second floor | 850 sq ft |
| Third floor | 600 sq ft |
| Basement | 640 sq ft |
| Total | 2940 sq ft |
Appliances included: |
|
Garland six burner propane stove |
|
Fridge |
|
Electric oven |
|
Dishwasher |
|
Freezer on first floor |
|
Microwave |
|
Washer and Dryer |
|
