Description of Historic Place

The William F. Robson Residence is a wooden two-storey Italianate building. It is located on Sydney Street within the Orange Street Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

The William F. Robson Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its former occupants.

The William F. Robson Residence is recognized as one of a collection of residential and commercial Italianate and Second Empire buildings that were built between 1877 and 1881 after two thirds of the City of Saint John were destroyed by the fire in 1877. The design of this building represents the will of the city to rebuild, as well or better, after the fire. The William F. Robson Residence is an example of Italianate residential architecture from the rebuilding period in Saint John following the fire.

The William F. Robson Residence is also recognized for its association with the Robson family. This residence was built in 1887 for William F. Robson and his sister, Elizabeth J. Robson. Although primarily used as a private residence, the Robson’s also rented out part of this property as a shop to various small businesses, including the confectionary and bakery of William J. Roberts, a barber shop for John Fox, and A.P. Belyea’s grocery store. William Robson acted as a clerk in the employ of W.H. Hayward and Co., a highly prominent china and glass dealer. He worked with this company for more than thirty years. Robson contracted gastric fever in 1912 and died at the age of 48. His widow, Mary A. Robson, inherited the property and remained there until her death in 1951. In total, this building’s connection with the Robson family lasted for sixty-four years.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the William F. Robson Residence include:
- rectangular two-storey plan;
- shingle siding with corner boards;
- low-pitched gable roof;
- large cornice supported by paired scrolled brackets and ornamented with dentils and decorative woodwork;
- hooded cornice over storefront;
- corner entrance at Orange Street and Sydney Street;
- Sydney Street entrance with rectangular transom window and sidelights.