Yup, Devonshire Lodge, that’s the official name of what’s better known as the Low-Martin House. Built in 1928 by Infamous Rum Runner Harry Low, this house is without equal in the city. It is the only remaining Rum Runner’s mansion, the others all fell to the wrecking ball long ago.
The architect of the property has never been discovered, but it was built by George Lawton, of Lawton Built Homes, a large contractor in the Windsor-Walkerville area in the 1920’s and it is presumed that he may have designed the house for Low.
Low only lived in the house a few years, and like most Rum Runners, ended up squanderinglosing his fortune. [Edit for clairty (sorry Bruce) – Mr. Low lost most of his fortune in the stock market crash].
In the late 1950’s the house was purchased by local political Paul Martin Sr., and I am sure everyone is familiar with his story. The house remained in the Martin family until the early 1990’s when both Mr. & Mrs. Martin passed away.
Today’s photos are courtesy of Mr. Vella the new owner of the home, just took possession late last week. Congratulations, to Mr. Vella, and big thanks to him for giving us access to the home. He has a massive restoration project ahead of him, but when it’s done, it will be safe to crown Mr. Vella the King of Walkerville (with apologies to the Mayor of Monmouth :))
The house is truly a work of art, and I’m going to let the photos of the place do the talking. There is a bit of plaster damage, but it’s not the end of the world. You might notice some traces of that in some of the photos.
(Look at that original built in icebox!)
Wow, the woodwork, and the leaded glass windows are outstanding, and that staircase is something else too.
What a beauty, and a diamond in the rough.
Thanks again to Francesco Vella for the tour and we wish him the best of luck as he undertakes this huge project. I’m sure that all the readers here send along their best wishes as well.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Vella! I have been wanting to see the inside of this house forever! The people who have walked through those doors; Pearson, Trudeau… If only the walls could talk.
As a fellow Walkervillian, welcome to the neighbourhood.
Thank you for the wonderful tour! What a fabulous interior! Is that a giant refrigerator in the kitchen?
that staircase is absolutely stunning! yay mr. vella! i heard he may even open it up for tours one day…..i will definitely be first in line for that 🙂
Phillippa – yes, that giant beast is the original refrigerator.
It has been preserved in the kitchen, but I believe it is no longer operational.
Absolutely stunning! It is more beautiful tha tI had thought it was going. Thanks Andrew for shating these photos and thank you to Mr. Vella for allowing access to his home. It is great to see Windsor gain another preservationist.
Quality shots as always, Andrew. Thank-you for sharing. I guess for safety reasons, you couldn’t get pictures of the basement (with the bar), tunnel and servants’ house or will those ever be posted?
David, I didn’t get any shots of the tunnel, and basement area. Mr. Vella was getting ready to leave for the day, and I didn’t want to impede on his time too much. The bar area is very small, and it was too hard to get a decent shot off.
The guest house still has tennants in it, and out of resepect for their privacy, we did not enter the guest house.
What you see is the best of what I shot.
I’m so jealous you got to get in there, Andrew. The next time you get an invite – remember that I’m just a couple of blocks away and hake a handy photography assistant!
Hey guys, stop by this Sunday between 12-5pm for a per-construction open house. Hope to see you all there.
Congratulations to Francesco Vella for saving this fantastic house and a big welcome to the neighbourhood from a fellow Walkerville resident. It will defintiely be a labour of love restoring it, but well worth it when it is done. I am extremely envious of those wonderful leaded glass french doors – I am thinking they would look great in my house too. Great photos as always Andrew. How nice to have some good news about a fablous neighbourhood.
Thank you for the photos. Beautiful interior – not to mention the exterior.
If Martin Sr purchased the house in ’61 or the late 50’s – then where did they live in Windsor before that? Where was Martin Jrs first Windsor House? Anyone know? Any photos?
Just Curious
-g
Mr. Vella – You’re the best! I will be there on Sunday and want to meet the man behind this new-found heritage optimism in the city. What you are planning has instilled some new hope to many apathetic people in this city.
I’m a little giddy about the chance to see your home! hee hee hee….
(PC – I’m going to be in front of you in line, you know 🙂
I have always wanted that peek inside this magnificient home. My ex grandfather-in-law and Paul Martin Sr. were friends, but he never discussed the home. Thank you, thank you for access. What a treat.
I have always wanted that peek inside this magnificient home. My ex grandfather-in-law and Paul Martin Sr. were friends, but he never discussed the home. Thank you, thank you for access. What a treat.
Wow! What can I say other than well done Mr.Vella and thank you very much. Nice pictures as usual Andrew.
Thank you to Mr. Vella for opening up your home, and to Andrew for taking the time to photograph the master piece for us all to enjoy and view.
Very kind of Mr Vella to have an open house on Sunday, will see you there!! I have never seen a fridge of that size? …and that stair case, and those windows are just to DIE for!!…..the list goes on and one…. What a beauty!! Congrats again to Mr Vella!!
don’t even think about it chris! i’ll race you to the house!
thanks mr. vella! you rock! see you on sunday!
Mr. Vella, I guess I just may have to camp out on your lawn to beat out chris and pc 🙂
Many thanks to Francesco for allowing the public to tour and view the Low-Martin house today. I was one of the many who viewed the house and enjoyed every minute of it.
Mr. Vella deserves our support and the city’s support as he endeavors to restore this mansion!
I was saddened to see the house had fallen into such disrepair. As a graduate of Walkville, I walked past this home daily and it was always so stunning back in the 60’s. My parents knew the Senator and I had met him once as a teenager. Years later, when one of my friends was determining whether to make a run for federal office, I was included in an invite to a meeting with the Senator at this home.
I only wish everyone could have had that experience. The walls were covered with Senator Martin and literally every major political leader in the world. There was one photo that caught my attention. It was a photo of Trudeau sitting in the chair I had just vacated. Hmmm, he had a cocktail in his hand. I didn’t. The history upon those walls was breathtaking.
What’s the current state of repairs. I was taking exterior pictures today in HDR, but it seemed very empty.
Absolutely beautiful,should indeed be preserved if possible. I would just love to visit this stately home.
Mr. Vella are you still repairing the mansion. i grew up in Windsor and left 1980 i come back often and the first thing i want to do is view your mansion ever visit. i have told my husband when we retire i want this house, which will be soon. i would also like to restore it to it’s original beauty are you interested in selling?
Beautiful home with so much history, glad to see someone who has the passion and funds to bring this home to its previous grandier. When I was small I dared go to the door to sell chocolate bars and I believe one of the Paul Martin staff opened the door and let me come in all the way to the kitchen ( it was amazing!!)and bought some of my chocolate bars, I was awe struck even back then.
I have always wanted to see inside that magnificant mansion since I walked by it everyday for 6 years from grade 2 through 8, back in l964 through l970. Thank you for finally making my dream come true. I would love to tour it someday.