Centre-ville in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

Percy Erskine Nobbs

(1875-1964)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024

1. Percy Erskine Nobbs Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Français] Architecte, enseignant, écrivain, critique et théoricien d'origine écossaise, Nobbs contribue à l'avancement de l'architecture au Canada pendant la première moitié du XX^e siècle. Il enseigne à l'Université McGill, donne des conférences et publie au sujet de la planification urbaine, de la conception de logements sociaux et de sa vision de l'architecture canadienne comme forme d'art national. Nobbs laisse en héritage des dessins remarquables et des bâtiments inspirés du mouvement Arts and Crafts. Ces édifices en particulier témoignent de son fort engagement pour le développement d'un travail artisanal de qualité.

[English] This Scottish-born architect, educator, writer, critic, and theorist contributed to the advancement of architecture in early 20th-century Canada. He taught at McGill University, lectured, and published on subjects that included town planning, design for public housing, and his vision for Canadian architecture as a national art form. As an architect, he left a legacy of remarkable designs and skillfully executed buildings inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. These works in particular are representative of his strong commitment to the development of fine craftsmanship.

Erected by Commission

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada/Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 45° 30.264′ N, 73° 34.427′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Centre-ville. It is at the intersection of Rue Sherbrooke Ouest (Québec Route 138) and Rue Victoria, on the right when traveling north on Rue Sherbrooke Ouest. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the north/front facade of the McCord Stewart Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 690 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal QC H3A 1E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At

Percy Erskine Nobbs image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. Percy Erskine Nobbs

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Musée McCord (a few steps from this marker); Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hochelaga (about 150 meters away); Le Maxwelton (1912) devient le Château Nasso (1984) / The Maxwelton (1912) — Château Nasso (1984) (about 150 meters away); Raoul Wallenberg (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Frank Dawson Adams (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Second World War Commemorative Garden (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); To the Memory of The Honourable James McGill (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.

Also see . . .
1. Percy Erskine Nobbs. Wikipedia entry:

Excerpt: Educated at the Edinburgh Collegiate School and Edinburgh University, he spent most of his career in the Montreal area. Often working in partnership with George Taylor Hyde, Nobbs designed a great many of what would become Montreal's heritage buildings and was a key Canadian proponent of the Arts and Crafts Movement in architecture. He served as the director of McGill University's School of Architecture for ten
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024

3. Percy Erskine Nobbs Marker
The marker is located near the McCord Stewart Museum front entrance.
years. He designed many buildings on the campus as well as McGill's Coat of Arms, which continues to be used today.

(Submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. McCord Museum (formerly the McGill University Student Union Building). McGill Libraries website entry:

Excerpt: This English Palazzo style edifice, located on Sherbrooke Street just west of University Street, had been donated to McGill in 1905 by Sir William Macdonald, a major benefactor of the University. It was designed by Percy Erskine Nobbs, Director of the School of Architecture at the time, and his associates Hutchison and Wood. When it was opened in 1905, it was declared one of the finest clubs in Montreal. Membership in the Union was offered to any male student in the University willing to pay $5.00 a year, but the Union had much to offer.
The structure, built of Montreal limestone, was elegant, but was not overly ornamented. The basement contained an exercise room, baths, showers, the kitchen, and storage areas. The entrance hall, on the first floor, led into the dining room and the luncheon room where students could get a hot meal after class. The second floor contained a spacious, comfortable lounge furnished with chairs and tables designed by Nobbs and heated, in part, by a large fireplace. The great hall, with frescoed tympanums above the windows, stretched the length of the third floor. By 1965, McGill's enrolment had increased to the extent that the Student Union, although very posh, was not large enough to serve the needs of the student body, both male and female. At this time, McGill decided to construct a new University Centre on McTavish Street, leaving the old Student Union vacant for occupancy by the McCord Museum. Renovations, paid for in great part by the John W. McConnell Foundation, were begun and, in 1971, the McCord Museum opened in its new, spacious home.

(Submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024

4. Percy Erskine Nobbs Marker

The marker is visible on the right/south side of the McCord Stewart Museum front entrance.

McCord Stewart Museum / Musée McCord Stewart (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024

5. McCord Stewart Museum / Musée McCord Stewart (southwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on July 20, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.