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In the course of our daily reporting, we often uncover unusual projects, places, or connections that don't make the final cut. Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we're pleased to share our Architrivia.
Most apartment buildings in Edmonton fill the practical role of providing safe and stable housing for their tenants, with not much in the way of architectural frills to capture your attention. But when butler-turned-speculator Rene Lemarchand secured a prominent slice of land along the river valley after arriving in Edmonton in 1905, he knew the spot demanded something extravagant. An unapologetic exercise in elegance, Le Marchand Mansion was destined to become the most modern and luxurious apartment building in the country.
Edmonton architect Alfred Merigon Calderon built the H-shaped structure according to the principles of Beaux Arts architecture. A recessed entryway is defined by grand pilasters and pediments that surmount contrasting brick and stone lines, with iron balconies attached to bay windows on the north side. Decorative cornices line the perimeter of each elevation, and on the west facade, a large archway outlines a three-storey glass window. Because of the building's configuration, each of the 43 original suites enjoyed natural lighting.
When it was fully completed in 1912 at a cost of $200,000 — the unfinished complex first opened in 1910 — the building had the distinction of hosting one of the first elevators in the city. Floor plans boasted between two and seven rooms, in addition to a fireplace, steam heating, and electric lighting. Lemarchand later sold the property in 1916 and returned to his hometown of Paris. After the Second World War, the building's lower suites were converted into offices.
Provincial designation of the property would ensure protection against pressing demolition, and although the building has since been entirely transformed into office space, it continues to be a reminder of the widespread optimism that gripped Edmonton before the First World War. A $4.5 million renovation by prolific architect Gene Dub has extended the lifespan of Le Marchand Mansion into the foreseeable future, promising more sunny days ahead for the ornate Oliver landmark.
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