Description of Historic Place

E.T. Sturdee Residence is one of a pair of similar two-storey brick Italianate buildings with Roman arch entrances and two-storey bay windows. It is located on Germain Street within the Trinity Royal Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

E.T. Sturdee Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with Edward Thankful Sturdee.

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 of 1877. Built in 1882, E.T. Sturdee Residence is a good example of brick Italianate residential architecture from the rebuilding period in the City of Saint John. This residence is one of a pair of similar two-storey brick residences that exhibit Roman arched entries and elaborate two-storey bay windows. The brick design is enhanced by sandstone elements on the front façade.

E.T. Sturdee Residence is also recognized for its association with Edward Thankful Sturdee. Sturdee, a highly prominent military and businessman of the city, took up residence at this Germain Street address in 1903. Involved in the military since he was sixteen years of age, Sturdee rose through the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel, and for many years commanded the 62nd Saint John Fusilliers. He served in 1877 when the military was called out to the city during the Great Fire. A few years later in 1885, he also commanded the Saint John Company of the New Brunswick Battalion, formed for the purpose of fighting in the Riel Rebellion in the Northwest. In addition to his military career, Sturdee also became a very successful accountant for over sixty years. He was very active in different social clubs in the City of Saint John. Sturdee remained at his Germain Street residence until his death in 1940, making it his home for 37 years.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements that describe the Italianate architecture of the E. T. Sturdee Residence include:
- similarity with adjoining buildings;
- two-storey massing and proportions;
- moulded cornice over brick dentils;
- two-storey bay windows;
- vertical sliding rectangular windows with sandstone lintels and sills;
- decorative Roman arch brick work above the first-storey bay windows;
- Roman arch entrance and transom;
- polished granite Corinthian columns on either side of entrance supporting the arch and entablature;
- six paneled, paired wood doors;
- sandstone steps descending from entrance;
- sandstone plinth band;
- basement level, segmented arch window openings;
- segmented arched brick soldier course headers flanked by sandstone trimmings above basement level windows.