June 13, 2023
The Classical Revival style of the Magrath Mansion in the Highlands is unique not only for its grand lines but also for its connection with the early development of Edmonton. Today, Edmonton City Council designated the Magrath Mansion as a Municipal Historic Resource. The building was designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1975.
Historic designation allows the City to work with property owners to preserve their building while receiving financial support for renovations and ongoing maintenance. Buildings registered as historic resources are protected from demolition.
History of Magrath Mansion
Completed in 1913, the mansion was owned by William and Ada Magrath, who were attracted to Edmonton by the promise of opportunity in the west. William and his partner, Bidwell Holgate, formed the Magrath-Holgate Company to buy land in the current Highlands neighbourhood to build a suburb catering to Edmonton’s entrepreneurs and professionals.
“People like William and Ada Magrath were early visionaries of what Edmonton could become,” said City of Edmonton Heritage Planner Erik Backstrom. “Although their dreams didn’t exactly work out for them, they helped set the foundation for the city we live in and enjoy today. Ada Boulevard running in front of the Magrath Mansion was named for Mrs. Magrath.”
The Magraths hired architect Ernest Morehouse to design their stately mansion and the other high end houses to be built in their new development. In the end, Morehouse designed 13 of the buildings in the neighbourhood between 1912 to 1915, including the Gibbard Block and Highlands Methodist (now United) Church.
Edmonton’s economy plunged into a recession in 1913 with only 50 of the 550 lots in the area having been developed. William Magrath died in 1920 and the mansion was seized by the City in 1931 for unpaid property taxes.
The classical revival style of architecture of the Magrath Mansion is shown in the wide central staircase and the two-storey colonnade supported by classical columns. The grandeur of the mansion was intended to convey the vision the Magrath’s had for Highlands.
Concordia University
Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) now owns the Magrath Mansion. The University’s Magrath Campus is currently used for educational activities, and donor, community, alumni and fundraising events, with all proceeds raised going toward student support.
“Concordia University of Edmonton is Alberta’s second oldest post-secondary institution. We have been a part of the Highlands and Bellevue neighbourhoods since 1925,” said Dr. Tim Loreman, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUE. “Our Magrath Campus is a natural evolution for our boutique university as we continue to grow. We look forward to continuing to support students to be independent thinkers, ethical leaders and citizens for the common good.”
The City’s Historic Resource Management Plan outlines the City’s mission to identify, protect and promote the preservation and use of historic resources. The Plan contains 24 policies and 88 action items that direct how Edmonton’s heritage should be preserved and celebrated. Since the plan was initiated in 1985, 177 properties have been designated, with more designations planned in the future.
