 History
Inglenook House was built in 1911 during the strongest building
boom in Victoria's history. There were more building permits issued
in 1912 than in any year before or since.
The home was built on land subdivided in 1909 and which formerly
belonged to Sir James Douglas--the Hudson's Bay Factor who controlled
virtually all of Vancouver Island and who became British Columbia's
first Lieutenant Governor. The lot and those of surrounding homes
were subdivided from farm land used for orchards and cattle in the
1800's.
Although no one knows for sure, the name "Inglenook"
likely comes from the fact that the home features a fireplace with
built-in seating on either side of it. Such fireplace seating originated
in England during the Middle Ages and is called an "Inglenook."
It is certain that the original owners gave the home its name, as
there are photos that date to 1911-12 that clearly show the name
"Inglenook" directly over the exterior arch leading to
the front door, just as it now appears today. Somewhere along the road, the name was extended
to "Inglenook House," as it has been known by that name
since at least the 1960's.
Inglenook House is an excellent example of the British Arts and Crafts
style that was so popular from the late 1880's to about the early
1930's. The City of Victoria's "This Old House," which
documents many of Victoria's significant heritage buildings calls
Inglenook House an excellent example of the "chalet style."
"Arts and Crafts" rejected the prodigious "gingerbreading"
typical of Victorian design and architecture. Arts and Crafts, instead,
relied on the natural beauty of materials and the form and function
of household objects to create aesthetically pleasing objects and
surroundings.
Arts and Crafts was also about using the materials at hand. Consequently,
Inglenook House featured generous timbers, large sheltering gables,
and an abundance of cedar shingles--both on the roof and as exterior
cladding.
The photo above shows the original owners looking out from the
sleeping porch, sheltered by the large gables mentioned above.
1993 - 2008
Inglenook House last changed owners in 1993. Soon after purchasing
the property, the new owners completed extensive renovations, including
the following:
- New foundations (home is now bolted to the foundations)
- New structural support, including steel beams for the bottom
floor and new laminate beams for the roof system
- New 200 amp electrical system completely replacing the old electrical
system
- New plumbing throughout
- New Natural Gas service
- New roof
- New insulation throughout
- New two-car garage with second floor storage built
- New electronic gate at the front of the property installed in 1998
In 2006, Inglenook House became a designated City of Victoria Heritage Building, signifying its importance as a part of Victoria's heritage. As a designated Heritage Building, the building exterior, 2nd floor foyer, and 2nd floor inglenook feature are protected. Additionally, having been designated a Heritage Building, owners are eligible for repair and restoration grants to cover a portion of such costs.
2008 - 2009
In late 2008, the owners applied to the City of Victoria for preliminary strata titling approval. Preliminary approval was granted early in 2009, as was a building permit. Renovations to the lower floor suite began in early February 2009 and were completed late 2009. The ground floor suite sold in 2010 to a new owner.
2010 - 2011
The top floor of Inglenook House was renovated in 2010, 2011 for the purpose of selling. Renovations included improvements to the interior of 27 Cook Street. |