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1466 Gladstone Ave | Heritage Chimney Rebuild
Fernwood, Victoria BC
Lennox Masonry is proud to have restored the heritage chimney at one of Fernwood's most architecturally significant homes. 1466 Gladstone Avenue is a beautifully preserved 1912 Edwardian Vernacular Arts & Crafts house that was officially registered on the City of Victoria Heritage Register in 2025.
The Property: A Rare Edwardian Gem
Built in 1912, this one-and-a-half-storey heritage home is a distinctive variation of the Edwardian Vernacular Arts & Crafts style. The house features 1,681 square feet of character-filled living space with intact heritage details throughout, including original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and cozy fireplaces. Oversized south-facing windows with original stained glass bring natural light into the home, and the original wood staircase leads to the principal bedroom.
The exterior showcases a steeply front-gabled roof with shingled dormers, Craftsman-style knee brackets, and finials. Roughcast stucco and half-timbering cover the upper section while beaded double-bevelled siding finishes the ground floor. The tall through-the-roof brick chimney on the right wall is the defining architectural feature we are restoring.
The home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a modern Urbana-designed kitchen, and even a secret playroom hidden behind a bookshelf. It sold for $1,225,000 in January 2024 and remains one of Fernwood's most cherished character homes.
The Heritage Chimney: Original Brick Reclamation and Hot Lime Mortar
The 1912 chimney is a defining architectural element of this Arts & Crafts home. It is a tall through-the-roof brick chimney positioned on the right wall, originally seismically tied to the roof structure.
Lennox Masonry's restoration approach honors the original craftsmanship. We are reusing the original bricks from the chimney, carefully cleaning and relaying each one by hand. The mortar we are using is traditional hot lime mortar, the same material that was used when this home was built in 1912. We are not using modern Portland cement.
Our work follows traditional hand-laid masonry techniques that match the original workmanship and meets all City of Victoria heritage register standards.
Hot lime mortar is the authentic period-accurate material used when this home was built. Unlike modern Portland cement, hot lime mortar is breathable and allows moisture to vaporize, which prevents trapped moisture from damaging historic brick. It is flexible enough to accommodate the natural movement of old masonry without cracking. The mortar is compatible with the original because it matches the original mortar's strength and composition. It is also reversible, which means future restorers can remove and replace work without damaging the original bricks. Most importantly, it produces the authentic traditional finish that Portland cement simply cannot replicate. This is the only appropriate choice for heritage masonry restoration of this caliber.
Property History: Built by a Victoria Building Dynasty
Herbert Thomas Knott was both the homeowner and contractor who built 1466 Gladstone. Born in Cornwall, England in 1869, Herbert Thomas Knott lived from 1869 to 1960. He was a partner in Knott Bros. & Brown, Real Estate and General Finance Agents, and worked as an independent contractor who purchased land and built speculative houses throughout Victoria including James Bay, Fairfield, and Fernwood from 1902 to 1912. He may have designed some of these homes himself.
Thomas H. Matthew was the actual builder who constructed this home, and he also built 1460 Gladstone next door. Herbert married Charity Jane Jennie Matthew in 1898, and Thomas H. Matthew was Jennie's father. Herbert was president of the YMCA, an elder of Metropolitan Methodist Church, a leader in the prohibition movement, and taught the Excelsior Bible class. He and Jennie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1958.
Herb's family was deeply involved in Victoria's building trades. His brother Horace Knott built 621 Trutch Street in Fairfield. His brother Percy was a masonry contractor and later became a partner in Knott and Jones. His sister Lena married contractor William Moore, who built 1433 and 1437 Vining Street in Fernwood.
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Historical Residents
The Knott family lived in the home when it was built in 1912. From 1912 to 1920, James Edwin Hamilton and his wife Margaret Armstrong lived here. James was principal of Boys' Central School and later taught at Oaklands, George Jay Elementary, and Victoria High School. He came from Nova Scotia.
From 1920 to 1921, Angus Beaton McNeill and his daughter Florence lived in the house. Angus worked as an auditor in the BC Controller General's office and Florence was a teacher.
In 1923, Margaret and John Creeden lived here with their five daughters. John was a ship's steward and farmer. Their daughter Florence became the BCER's first woman employee, working from 1907 to 1945.
From 1924 to 1968, George Egerton and his wife Agnes Christopherson lived in the home. George worked in the federal government livestock department and came from Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.
The Fernwood Neighborhood: Victoria's Historic Cultural Hub
Fernwood was originally Songhees First Nation territory until 1850 when James Douglas purchased it for the Hudson's Bay Company. The neighborhood developed around streetcar lines that opened in 1891 along Pandora, Cook, Chambers, and Gladstone streets. There was significant residential growth during 1890 to 1893 and another boom from 1907 to 1913.
Fernwood is known for its tree-lined streets with cobblestone sidewalks and a mix of Italianate, Queen Anne, and Arts & Crafts homes. There are 115 heritage register properties in Fernwood as of 2026, including 1466 Gladstone. The neighborhood is the cultural heart of Victoria, with the Belfry Theatre located in what was originally Emmanuel Baptist Church built between 1886 and 1892. Pubs, cafes, and grocery stores are all within walking distance.
Why This Restoration Matters
This project exemplifies authentic heritage masonry restoration at its finest. The original bricks are being preserved rather than replaced with modern materials. Hot lime mortar, the period-accurate breathable flexible traditional material, is being used throughout. Traditional craftsmanship with hand-laid masonry matches the 1912 workmanship. The work meets all City of Victoria Heritage Register standards. Most importantly, proper materials ensure the chimney will last another 100 years or more.
At Lennox Masonry, we understand that heritage homes demand heritage techniques. Modern cement mortars would trap moisture, crack the original bricks, and compromise the building's integrity. Our hot lime mortar approach ensures this 1912 chimney will continue serving the home for generations to come.
Contact Information
Contact Information:
Sean Lennox:
778-968-6574
sean@lennoxmasonry.com
Lennox Masonry Ltd.
127 Howe St #3, Victoria, BC, V8V 4K5
Business Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sundays & Holidays: Closed
We typically respond to emails and voice messages within 24 - 48 hours and can schedule site visits within a few days depending on your location.