Brown, Robert | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada

BROWN, Robert, with his partner John C. Allison of New York City, was active in Saint John, N.B. after the Great Fire there in June 1877. In early 1879 they submitted two designs in the competition for the Legislative Buildings at Fredericton, N.B., but both sets of their plans were set aside in favour of the winning scheme by J.C. Dumaresq. One of their proposals was 'Greek in character, somewhat plain and severe', and both were described as 'the least costly of all those exhibited' (American Architect and Building News, v, 5 April 1879, 109, descrip.). They also prepared plans for a terrace of elaborate wood frame houses 'designed to suit the requirements of middle-class people' and located near Saint John (American Architect and Building News, v, 10 May 1879, 148, descrip. & illus.). Later in 1879 they designed a small Anglican Church at COLDBROOK, N.B. (American Architect and Building News, vi, 5 July 1879, 4, illus.). Brown & Allison are also credited as the designers of residence for George F. Burpee on Howe Road, SAINT JOHN, N.B., (Saint John Globe, 4 April 1881, 2).