Landmark Building
ASH RESIDENCE
6256 Ada Boulevard, Edmonton
Designed By: E.W. Morehouse
Built By: Magrath-Holgate & Co
Built in 1912
','Ash Residence', 'Source: The Highlands, Edmonton Historical Walking and Driving Tour <br />(© Alberta Culture and Community Spirit)'); "Ash Residence")
William Thomas Ash and his family were the first occupants of this house in 1913. Mr. Ash, along with his brother Sidney, established the prosperous downtown ‘Ash Brothers Diamond Hall’ in 1907. In addition to manufacturing “artistic jewellery,” they sold diamonds wholesale and provided watchmaking services.
Ash purchased the house in 1921, and sold it a short three years later, moving to Edmonton’s Oliver district. In 1928, the Ash Brothers jewellery store was closed down, and the Ashes moved east to Toronto, where William Ash died in 1931. In 1927 the house was bought by Matilda Singer, wife of Philip, a Singer Sewing Machine Co. salesman. She retained title until 1962.
The house cost $7,500 to build, and as with the other Magrath-Holgate residences of November 1912, the architect was probably E.W. Morehouse. It is, essentially, a large Four Square Style design, a hybrid of the Ada Boulevard mansions and more modest Highlands homes. Of note is the wrap-around verandah, which shades the south facing main floor windows from the sun and adds dignity to the design. The cast concrete blocks supporting the verandah were moulded to resemble rough chiseled stone.
The interior of the Ash Residence has been renovated in recent years, but the exterior, although somewhat obscured by mature coniferous trees, has been retained.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Historical Walking Tours of Downtown, 2004, Centennial edition of the brochure. Planning and Development Department, City of Edmonton, and Alberta Community Development., 2004, with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.