Description of Historic Place

The George McLeod Residence is a two-and-a-half storey stone Chateau Style building with a mansard roof and a prominent central entry. It is located on Orange Street, within the Orange Street Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

The George McLeod Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its former occupants.

The George McLeod Residence is recognized as one of a collection of residential and commercial buildings that were built between 1877 and 1881 after two thirds of the City of Saint John were destroyed by fire in 1877. Built in 1881 for George McLeod, architects David E. Dunham and W. P. Clark designed this rare example of Chateau Style residential architecture from the rebuilding period within the Orange Street Heritage Preservation Area of Saint John after the fire. The design and elements in this building represent the will of city to rebuild, as well or better, after the fire.

The George McLeod Residence is also recognized for its association with George McLeod. A second generation immigrant from Caithes Shire, Scotland, McLeod spent the majority of his younger years in Richibucto. Engaged for several years in the lumbering, milling and ship building industry in the Richibucto area, McLeod came to Saint John later in life, all the while continuing his business interests in Kent County. Heavily involved in politics, McLeod was elected to Parliament, but defeated in 1874. From 1874 to 1878, McLeod became a noted a supporter of the McKenzie government. In 1878, he ran as a Liberal candidate in the general elections against Sir Leonard Tilley. A close competition ended in McLeod’s defeat yet again, however. In the early 1890s, McLeod switched loyalties from the Liberals to the Conservatives due to some local political complications. Following the resignation of C.N. Skinner from his seat in Parliament, a nominating committee appointed and selected McLeod as the party representative to run for the vacant position. Due to divisions in the party, this nomination led to a heated debate that resulted in the renouncing of the committee’s decision and choosing instead, George Robertson. This episode marked the end of McLeod’s major political involvement. Although interested in public affairs, severe illness prevented him from becoming too involved and eventually led to his death in 1905. McLeod remained at his Orange Street residence until 1893.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements that describe the George McLeod Residence include:
- asymmetrical two-and-a-half storey front façade;
- stone exterior walls;
- mansard roof;
- steep gable dormer ornamented with a lion face medallion;
- cornice supported by a series of brackets along the front façade in addition to stone end brackets ornamented by a lion face;
- two-storey bay window on the west side of front façade crowned by a pyramidal roof and hipped dormer;
- two storey, semi-octagonal bay window on east side of front façade crowned by a gable dormer with tripartite window;
- vertical sliding wooden windows below arched, floral motif masonry;
- inset decorative pillars flanking the first storey bay windows;
- ornate balustrade above entry;
- stone porch supported by polished granite Corinthian columns;
- rectangular transom window over a pair of wooden doors with glass upper panels;
- Corinithian columns flanking the entranceway;
- stone staircase descending from entry with ornate stone pillars on either end;
- short stone fence ornamented by quatrefoils along yard.