John Lyle's Hamilton designs

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Spec story about John Lyle:

Flashbacks: The style of architectural icon John Lyle honoured by the city of Hamilton

By Mark McNeil
Mon., July 13, 2020

John Lyle in 1926:

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The first Monday of August normally sees a local commemoration of two people — George Hamilton, the founder of our city and a posthumous “famous Hamiltonian” named each year.

Previous honourees on the civic holiday have included Lincoln Alexander, Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw, Stan Rogers, Nora Frances Henderson, ‘Rapid’ Ray Lewis and T.B. McQuesten.

But this year, because of COVID-19, there will be no “George Hamilton Day” public gathering on Aug. 3 to acknowledge 2020 recipient, architect John Lyle (1872-1945).

It’s unfortunate because Lyle had an enormous positive influence in Hamilton, and is not nearly as well known in the city as he should be.

He grew up in Hamilton and was a gifted student at the Hamilton Art School. As a young adult he went off to the Yale School of Fine Arts in New Haven, Connecticut, and the prestigious École des Beaux Arts in Paris.

After he returned to Canada, he established himself as one of the most important Canadian architects of the early 20th century, practicing in the ‘Beaux arts’ (fine arts) style that uses ancient architectural forms with modern flourishes.

He is especially known for designing Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, but he also left an important legacy in Hamilton that includes the Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge entrance to the city, Gage Park fountain and Central Presbyterian Church.

Lyle was a brilliant illustrator and his architectural drawings, such as the ones he drew of the high level bridge, are recognized as works of art. He was known for designing banks across Canada but Hamilton was a place where Lyle expanded his range of usual work with the bridge, fountain and church.

He was part of what was known as the “City Beautiful” movement of the 1920s, an effort to create an aesthetic counterbalance to heavy industry.

So, this past week I set out to learn as much as I could about Lyle, touring around to check out his work, doing some reading and reaching out to some local experts.

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read more here


Here are pics of the buildings noted in the article, some from that story:

“Gateside House” Hendrie estate (1905-06), 135 Aberdeen Ave.

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Central Presbyterian Church (1907), Caroline at Charlton

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Samuel Lyle Residence (1908), 45 Glenfern Ave.
https://goo.gl/maps/fNVxxpr3E3yyqHKN7

‘Wynnstay’ F.F. Dalley Residence (1925), 437 Wilson St. E., Ancaster

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Gage Park Memorial Fountain (1927), 1000 Main St. E.


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Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge (1932), York Boulevard

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