Description of Historic Place

18-22 Water Street is a Second Empire style, three storey, wooden home that has been converted into apartments. Built in 1871 by John Roach Bourke (1796-1882) for his son, the home is located near the historic Charlottetown waterfront. The designation encompasses the building’s exterior and parcel; it does not include the building’s interior.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of 18-22 Water Street lies in its association with the Bourke Family and its importance in supporting the Water Street streetscape.

The colourful merchant and landowner, John Roach Bourke, built 18-22 Water Street for his son, William Crilly Bourke in 1871. According to Bourke family tradition, J.R. Bourke built a home for each of his sons. A native of County Limerick Ireland, J.R. Bourke arrived in Prince Edward Island in 1819. He apprenticed for Vernon River shipbuilder, James Hayden and eventually married Hayden’s daughter, Isabella. His shipbuilding experience helped Bourke to become a successful businessman. Active in his community, J.R. Bourke was a justice of the peace and became well known for his opposition of the Tenant League Movement and for his leadership of the Island’s Irish community during the Belfast Election Riot of 1847.

18-22 Water Street was owned and occupied by the Bourke family for much of its history but at some point it had been converted into three units. Built on the waterfront, the home has a spectacular view of the Charlottetown harbor. The beautiful building is located on a section of Water Street that contains a high concentration of heritage homes. 18-22 Water Street is a vital part of the Water Street streetscape.

Sources: Heritage Office, City of Charlottetown Planning Department, PO Box 98, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2
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Character-Defining Elements

The following Second Empire influenced character-defining elements illustrate the heritage value of 18-22 Water Street:

- The size and shape of the symmetrical home
- The placement and style of the windows, including the bay windows, the tall two over two windows and the rounded windows flanking the centre section of the home
- The style and placement of the doors, particularly the impressive front door with its lunette, sidelights and ornate door surround. In addition, the similar doors on the east and west façade, with lunettes and sidelights, are important character defining elements.
- The porches over the doors, particularly the main entrance’s porch with its pillars, Mansard roof, and decorative brackets
- The two bay projections with Mansard roofs and decorative brackets
- The Mansard roof with its square dormers
- The style and placement of the chimneys
- The contrasting trim of the façade, particularly the trim around the doors and windows

Other character-defining elements of 18-22 Water Street include:
- The location of the building on Water Street