Didn’t Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once call this home? This is the Cormier House. It is located at 1418 Pine Avenue West. Welcome to a journey into a unique architectural gem. The Cormier House stands as a testament to Art Deco elegance in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile.
Ernest Cormier designed this house for himself in 1930-31. He lived here until 1975. The Cormier House is more than just a building. It reflects the aesthetic ideals of the 1930s. It also embodies Cormier’s design values.
Notice the main facade. It displays the characteristics of the Art Deco style. There are two well-defined rectangular volumes. They have flat roofs. Vertical lines and stylized ornamentation enhance the facade. Cormier experimented with different styles. Art Deco graces the facade. One side presents a monumental feel. The back has a modernist touch.
Step inside. Discover the opulent interior. Cormier used expensive and refined materials. Marble, terrazzo, and cork adorn the floors. The furnishings are a mix of grand, modern, and traditional. Cormier created most of the furniture himself. He acquired remaining pieces at the 1925 Exposition in Paris. It was the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.
The location was chosen carefully by Cormier. It sits halfway between his office and the University of Montreal. Cormier designed public buildings mostly in Quebec and Ontario. The Cormier House remains his only known residence. He drew inspiration from European contemporary aesthetic ideas. He gave the house a personal and original character. This is evident in its layout, furnishings, and artwork.
The long, narrow lot inspired a non-traditional layout. Private quarters are located below ground. This is unlike traditional layouts with upper-floor bedrooms.
The Cormier House is a designated historic property. This designation falls under Quebec’s heritage legislation. It is protected by the Loi sur les biens culturels. Canada Post even featured the house on a stamp in 2011.
In 2018, the Cormier House earned further recognition. It was designated a National Historic Site. Ernest Cormier was named a National Historic Person.
In 1979, Pierre Elliott Trudeau bought the Cormier House. He paid $230,000. He renovated it in 1981. An indoor swimming pool was added in 1983. Trudeau moved in after leaving politics in 1984. He lived here until his death in 2000. The house is connected to a personal stage of the former Prime Minister’s life. Since 2000, his son Alexandre owns the house. He is the younger brother of current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Cormier House stands as a unique architectural ensemble in Canada. It is located in the Golden Square Mile. This area faced decline in the 1930s. Limited space, city development, and economic crisis affected the neighborhood. In this context, Cormier built his residence in 1930-31.
Let the Cormier House serve as a reminder. Great design blends functionality with beauty. It also reflects the spirit of its time.