Description of Historic Place

The Snyder-Seagram House is located at 50 Albert Street, on the east side of the street, between Dorset and Albert Streets, in the City of Waterloo. This two-storey poured-concrete building was designed in the Edwardian style. It was constructed by Charles Moogk, in 1903.

The property was designated, for its historic and architectural significance, by the City of Waterloo, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 83-10).

Heritage Value

The Snyder-Seagram House is associated with the Snyder and Seagram families. The house was built for Herbert Snyder, owner of Snyder Bros. Furniture, by Charles Moogk who was the town engineer at the time. The Snyder Bros. Furniture Company continues to operate within the region today.

Edward F. Seagram, son of distilling magnate Joseph E. Seagram, purchased the house in 1929 and presented it as a wedding gift to his son J. E. Frowde Seagram. Edward F. Seagram served the Town of Waterloo as its Mayor between 1906 and 1907. The Seagram family is one of Waterloo's most prominent and recognized industrial figureheads. They operated the Seagram Distillery, which encompassed the entire city block, at the intersection of Erb and Caroline Streets, in the City of Waterloo. Seagram Distillery Limited became the world's largest producer of distilled spirits, in 1928, and continued operation until it closed in 1992. Upon the death of his father, J. E. Frowde Seagram, who was already President of Canada Barrels and Kegs Limited, became the President of Seagram Distillery Limited.

The Snyder-Seagram House is an impressive example of the Edwardian style of architecture and is interesting primarily due to its poured concrete construction. The Albert Street façade features Palladian windows. A collection of bay windows and the attractive curved verandah add to the home's architectural value. Many of the windows still contain the original leaded glass and the bevelled edges of these windows refract the sun's rays into a spectrum of colours.

Sources: City of Waterloo By-law 83-10.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Snyder-Seagram House include its:
- poured concrete construction
- Palladian windows
- windows with original leaded glass and bevelled edges
- collection of bay windows
- curved verandah