Description of Historic Place

Frederick S. Thompson Residence is one of a pair of similar two storeys, brick Italianate buildings located on Germain Street within the Trinity Royal Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

Frederick S. Thompson Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with Frederick S. Thompson.

Many of the buildings in the residential district of Germain street were constructed in the latter part of the 19th Century or early 20th Century as all the older buildings were destroyed in the Great Saint John Fire in 1877. Frederick S. Thompson had this Germain Street residence, along with the neighbouring 162 Germain Street, built in 1889 in the Italianate style. They represent part of the rebuilding period in Saint John after the fire.

Frederick S. Thompson Residence is also recognized through its association with Frederick S. Thompson. Reputed as one of the ablest chartered accountants in the city, Thompson audited the accounts of various businesses throughout the City and the Maritimes. The residence remained in his estate under the care of his widow Florence Olive Thompson until 1935.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements that describe Frederic S. Thompson Residence include:
- rectangular 2-storey massing;
- cornice ornamented with brick corbel bands and supported by thick, wood brackets on both corners;
- vertical sliding, one over one, wood windows with sandstone lintels and sills;
- paired wood doors with multiple glass panels below a two paned, rectangular transom window and sandstone lintel above;
- sandstone steps;
- sandstone plinth band.