NOBBS, Percy Erskine (1875-1964)
(biography in preparation)
A collection of architectural drawings prepared by Percy E. Nobbs and the firm of Nobbs & Hyde is now held in the Canadian Architectural Collection at McGill University, Montreal, Que. A complete finding aid to the collection, entitled Percy E. Nobbs and His Associates: A Guide to the Archive, was published in 1986. Virtually all commissions listed below are accompanied by drawings in this collection. In addition, a list of works by Nobbs was complied by Susan Wagg and published in her catalogue entitled Percy Erskine Nobbs - Architect, Artist, Craftsman, 1982, 95-7.
A series of autobiographical memoirs, written by Nobbs between 1896 and c. 1940, have been transcribed and published in a recent book entitled "Clear Recollections- Memoirs of Percy Nobbs". This book, edited by Karen Molson, was published in 2015 by Shoreline Press of Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que.
PERCY NOBBS (works in Montreal unless noted)
(with Hutchison & Wood) McGILL UNION BUILDING, Sherbrooke Street West at Victoria Street, 1904-05 (C.A.B., xix, Dec. 1906, 181, 228, illus. & descrip.; Const., xx, June 1927, 194, illus.; Montreal, Les Edifices Publics, 1981, 282-3, illus.; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 152-54, illus. & descrip.)
(with David R. Brown) PINE AVENUE, residence for C.W. Colby, 1905 (C.A.B., xix, Aug. 1906, 224, illus.)
WESTMOUNT, residence for E. Rutherford, Rosemount Avenue, 1906 (C.A.B., xix, Aug. 1906, illus.)
WINDERMERE, B.C., residence for Dr. Adami, 1906 (C.A.B., xix, Sept. 1906, 133, illus. & descrip.)
CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL, Ste. Catherine Street West, restoration and interior redecoration, 1907; Chapel 1940 (C.A.B., xx, Dec. 1907, 25; R.A.I.C. Journal, xviii, July 1941, 115-16, illus.; Montreal, Les Eglises, 1981, 10, 14-15)
(with Cecil S. Burgess) McTAVISH STREET, residence for Dr. John B. Porter, 1907 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, MacDonald Engineering Building, reconstruction after fire in 1907; burned April 1927 and rebuilt by Nobbs & Hyde (Montreal Daily Star, 16 July 1907, 12, descrip.; C.A.B., xx, Aug. 1907, 134; Builder [London], cxv, 5 July 1918, illus.; R.A.I.C. Journal, ii, March-April 1925, 49, illus.; Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 134-7, illus.)
UNIVERSITY CLUB, Dorchester Street West near St. Monique Street, for McGill University, a renovation of the residence formerly owned by George Sumner, 1907-08 (Gazette [Montreal], 10 Jan. 1908, 5; and 30 March 1908, 5, descrip.). N.B. This Club building should not be confused with the University Club on Mansfield Street, designed by Nobbs & Hyde and built in 1912 (see below).
SHAWBRIDGE, QUE., Boy's Industrial Farm and Training School, 1908, with additions 1919 (Montreal Daily Star, 12 Feb. 1908, 15; and 3 July 1909, 10, descrip.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Steam & Electrical Power House, below Carleton Road, behind the Arts Building, with chimney 160 ft. high, 1909 (C.R., xxiii, 21 April 1909, 19; Montreal Daily Star, 21 May 1909, 1, descrip.)
WESTMOUNT, residence for Percy Nobbs, Architect, Belvedere Road, 1909 (C.H.G., iii, May 1926, 80; H. Kalman, History of Canadian Architecture, 1994, 621, illus. & descrip.; City of Westmount, Westmount: A Heritage to Preserve, 1991, 57, illus.; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 69-74, illus. & descrip.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGREGOR STREET, houses for T.P. Howard, 1910-11 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
(with A.M. Jeffers and William Fingland) EDMONTON, ALTA., Provincial Legislature Building, 1909-12 (Const., iii, Dec. 1909, 104-05, descrip.;)
(with Frank Darling) EDMONTON, ALTA., University of Alberta, Master Plan, 1909-12 (Univ. of Edmonton Archives, Senate Minutes, 7 Sept. 1909; Univ. of Edmonton Archives, perspective and site plans by Nobbs; R.A.I.C. Journal, ii, Sept.-Oct. 1925, 159-65, illus. & descrip.; R.I.B.A. Drawings Coll., London, Acc. Z3/54; O. Bilash & O. Sitwell, 'Words into Buildings: The University of Alberta 1906-28', in Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Bulletin, xx, March 1995, 4-21, illus.; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 262-64, illus. & descrip.)
NOBBS & HYDE (Institutional & Ecclesiastical Works in Montreal unless noted)
FAIRMOUNT PUBLIC SCHOOL, Esplanade Avenue, addition of South Wing, 1911 (C.R., xxv, 22 March 1911, 53, descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, Sept. 1927, 333)
EDWARD VII PUBLIC SCHOOL, Esplanade Avenue, 1912; addition 1914 (C.R., xxvi, 20 March 1912, 66; Const., vi, Dec. 1913, 455-7, 461, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, Sept. 1927, 333)
STRATHEARN PUBLIC SCHOOL, Jeanne Mance Street, 1912 (Const., vi, Dec. 1913, 457-9, 461, illus. & descrip.; Architectural Forum (New York), xxxii, June 1920, 257, illus.)
SARAH MAXWELL PUBLIC SCHOOL, Hochelaga Street at Dezery Street, major addition, 1912 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
UNIVERSITY CLUB, Mansfield Street, for McGill University, 1912 (C.R., xxvi, 17 April 1912, 65; American Architect & Architectural Review [Boston], cxxiv, 4 July 1923, illus.; F. Remillard & B. Merrett, Montreal Architecture, 1990, 138, illus.)
CANADIAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, Mansfield Street, major addition, 1912-13 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
PEACE CENTENNIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, Boyer Avenue, 1913 (Const., vi, Dec. 1913, 457, 460, illus. & descrip.; Builder [London], cxix, 29 Oct. 1920, 491-2, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, Sept. 1927, 333, 337, illus. & descrip.)
ROSEMOUNT PUBLIC SCHOOL, Rosemont Boulevard at Sixth Avenue, major addition, 1914 (R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, Sept. 1927, 327, illus.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
BANCROFT PUBLIC SCHOOL, St. Urbain Street, 1914-15 (C.R., 3 Nov. 1915, 1141-2, illus. & descrip.; Architectural Forum (New York), xxxii, May 1920, 209-12, illus.; R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, Sept. 1927, 333, 336, illus. & descrip.)
EDMONTON, ALTA., University of Alberta, Arts Building, 1914-15; laboratories and Power House, 1914 (Edmonton Daily Bulletin, 18 Dec. 1913, 8, descrip.; C.R., xxviii, 18 March 1914, 332, illus. & descrip.; xxix, 1 Dec. 1915, 1221-22, illus. & descrip.; Building News [London], cix, 22 Dec. 1915, 719, descrip.; Const., xiv, Jan. 1921, 6-9, illus.; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 262-64, illus. & descrip.; dwgs. at Canadian Architectural Archives, Calgary, Alta.)
DUKE OF CONNAUGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL, Hamilton Street, addition, 1915 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
TROIS RIVIERES, QUE., St. James Anglican Church, des Ursulines Street at St. Francois Xavier Street, extensive renovations and alterations, 1916 (American Architect & Architectural Review [Boston], cxxiv, 4 July 1923, illus.; A. Legge, The Anglican Church in Three Rivers, Quebec 1768-1956, 120-2; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 128-30, 195, illus. & descrip.)
GRAND PRE, N.S., Evangeline Memorial Park, landscaping, gatehouse, monument, fences and ironwork, 1919 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
SHAWBRIDGE, QUE., Boy's Farm and Training School, 1919 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, War Memorial at City Hall Park, 1920 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
(with Cecil S. Burgess) EDMONTON, ALTA., University of Alberta, Provincial College of Medicine, 1920-21 (Const., xiv, Jan. 1921, 4-5, 12, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, ii, Sept.-Oct. 1925, 162-5, illus.)
SHERBROOKE, QUE., St. Peter's Anglican Church, Dufferin Street at Terrill Street, a War Memorial chapel, 1920 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, major addition to the University Library, McTavish Street, 1921-22 (R.A.I.C. Journal, ii, March-April 1925, 63, illus.; Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 148-51)
KINGSTON, ONT. Royal Military College, interior decoration of Sir Arthur Currie Hall, built as a major addition to the Education Block, with west wing, assembly hall, and tower, 'in the Collegiate Gothic style', 1920-22; designed by Thomas W. Fuller, Assistant Architect, DPW, with interior decoration by Percy E. Nobbs of Montreal (Daily Standard [Kingston], 15 May 1922, 1, descrip.)
HALIFAX, N.S., Naval Memorial at Point Pleasant Park, 1922 (Saturday Night [Toronto], 29 Nov. 1924, 12, illus. & descrip.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Indoor Field House & Locker Rooms, adjacent to Molson Stadium, 1922; with addition, 1923 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Strathcona Medical Building, interiors and furniture for the Osler Memorial Library, 1923 (R.A.I.C. Journal, vii, June 1930, 204-05, illus. & descrip.; Montreal Daily Star, 5 Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 152-5, illus.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Pathology Building, University Street at Pine Avenue, 1923 (C.R., xxxvii, 7 Feb. 1923, 122-3, illus. & descrip.; Montreal Daily Star, 5 Jan 1924, 3, detailed architectural descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, ii, March-April 1925, 54, illus.; Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 174-5, illus.)
EARL GREY PUBLIC SCHOOL, Bellechasse Street East, addition, 1923-24 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
ROTHESAY, N.B., Netherwood School, dormitory block, 1924; residence for Miss Ganong, 1928 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
SAULT-AT-RECOLLET, Public School, Montreal North, 1925; addition, 1929 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
TROIS RIVIERES, QUE., elementary school for the Dissentient School Board, 1926; addition, 1930 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Pulp & Paper Research Institute, University Street, 1927 (Montreal Daily Star, 2 Feb. 1927, 3; R.A.I.C. Journal, vi, Dec. 1929, 431, illus.; vii, Jan. 1930, 6-10, illus. & descrip.; Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 146-7 , illus.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, rebuilding of the Engineering Building after a fire in April 1927 (Montreal Daily Star, 16 July 1927, 6)
ARVIDA, QUE., First United Church, Radin Road at Regnault Street, 1927-28; burned 1946 (inf. Scott Edwards; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
VERDUN HIGH SCHOOL, Bannatyne Avenue near Riverview Avenue, major addition, 1928 (C.R., xlii, 4 April 1928, 51)
VERDUN, Rushbrooke Street School, major addition, 1928 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
VERDUN, Woodlands Public School, Verdun Avenue, major addition, 1928 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
VERDUN, Riverview Public School, Favard Street at Bourgeoys Street, 1928 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, large addition to Percival Molson Outdoor Stadium, with 5,000 seats, 1928-29 (Gazette [Montreal], 8 Nov. 1928, 16; inf. Scott Edwards; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
VERDUN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, Gordon Avenue, 1929 (C.R., xliii, 6 March 1929, 51, t.c.; Montreal Daily Star, 5 April 1929, 24, descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 6 April 1929, 4; inf. Scott Edwards)
CHATEAU RICHER, Que., alterations to the Church, 1929 (R.A.I.C. Journal, vii, Jan. 1930, xxv, illus. in advert.)
McGILL UNIVERSITY, Royal Victoria College, Sherbrooke Street West, addition of West Wing, 1930-31 (C.R., xliv, 26 March 1930, 62, t.c.; Pencil Points [New York], xx, Sept. 1939, 571, illus.; Montreal, Les Edifices Scolaires, 1980, 204-07, illus.; dwg. at National Gallery, Ottawa, Royal Canadian Academy Coll., diploma work)
ERSKINE & AMERICAN UNITED CHURCH, Sherbrooke Street West, major interior alterations with new Chancel, 1938 (Gazette [Montreal], 14 Jan. 1939, 3, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, xvi, April 1939, 80-1, illus. & descrip.; Montreal, Les Eglises, 1981, 26-9, illus.)
ARGENTEUIL COUNTY, restoration of Carillon Barracks Museum, 1938-39 (R.A.I.C. Journal, xvi, June 1939, 139-40)
HUDSON HEIGHTS, QUE., addition to Public School, 1939 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
GASPE, QUE., St. Paul's Anglican Church, Montee de Wakeham, 1940; still standing in 2023 (Gazette [Montreal], 4 May 1940, 3, descrip.)
NOBBS & HYDE (Commercial & Industrial Works in Montreal unless noted)
CANADA PAINT CO., William Street, addition to factory, 1911 (C.R., xxv, 12 April 1911, 56)
HENRY BIRKS & SONS, Cathcart Street at Union Avenue, 1911-12; with ten storey addition at rear, facing Union Avenue, 1926 (C.R., xxv, 19 July 1911, 49, illus. & descrip.; Const., viii, July 1915, 312-15, illus. & descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 16 Jan. 1926, 5; Montreal Daily Star, 16 Jan. 1926, 6, descrip.; Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 1983, 206-09, illus.; inf. Scott Edwards)
WINNIPEG, MAN., Birks Building, Portage Avenue, alterations and remodelling of facade of the Y.M.C.A. Building designed by George C. Browne, 1913 (Const., ix, Sept. 1916, 294-6, illus. & descrip.; Winnipeg, 1991-The Year Past, 1993, 43-8, illus.; Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 196-97, illus. & descrip.) )
(with J.Rawson Gardiner) LIVERPOOL, LONDON & GLOBE INSURANCE CO., Dorchester Boulevard West at Union Avenue, 1914-15 (C.R., xxviii, 15 April 1914, 78; xxx, 8 March 1916, 231; Financial Post [Toronto], 18 July 1914, 14, descrip.; American Architect & Architectural Review [Boston], cxxiv, 4 July 1923, illus.)
ST. HYACINTHE, QUE., store, showroom and offices for H.T. Chalifoux of the Southern Canada Power Co., 1916-17 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
HENRY BIRKS & SONS, Phillips Square at Ste. Catherine Street West, addition to retail store and offices, 1920; 1931 (C.R., xxxiii, 17 Dec. 1919, 47; Montreal, Les Magasins Les Cinemas, 1985, 164-7, illus.)
ELMHURST DAIRY CO., Western Avenue at Elmhurst Avenue, office building, 1924 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
ROYAL PARKING GARAGE, St. Monique Street at Cathcart Street, 1925 (C.R., xxxix, 6 May 1925, 449, illus. & descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 5 June 1925, 10, advert. with descrip.; Const., xx, Aug. 1927, 263-5, illus. & descrip.; inf. Scott Edwards)
DRUMMOND MEDICAL BUILDING, Drummond Street near Ste. Catherine Street West, 1929-30 (Gazette [Montreal], 4 Sept. 1929, 4, descrip.; Const., xxiii, Sept. 1930, 297-8, 303-06, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, vii, Sept. 1930, xxiv, illus. in advert.; Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 1983, 182-6, illus.; inf. Scott Edwards)
SASKATOON, SASK., Henry Birks & Sons Building, 21st Street East at Third Avenue South, 1929 (C.R., xliv, 16 April 1930, 459, illus. & descrip.)
EDMONTON, ALTA., Henry Birks & Sons Building, 104th Street at Jasper Avenue, 1929 (C.R., xliii, 21 Aug. 1929, 96; City of Edmonton, Historical Walking Tours of Downtown Edmonton, 1988, 34, illus.)
CALGARY, ALTA., Henry Birks & Sons Building, 8th Avenue West near Third Street, 1929 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 25 May 1929, 6; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
HENRY BIRKS & SONS, Drummond Street, a 10 storey office block with garage, 1930 (Montreal Daily Star, 2 Jan. 1930, 3)
DRESNER'S LADIES SHOP, Ste. Catherine Street West, 1932 (Const., xxv, Dec. 1932, 291-2, but lacking attribution; xxvi, Jan. 1933, 9, with correction)
MERIT MOTORS LTD., Ste. Catherine Street West, showroom and repair shops, 1934 (C.R., xlviii, 24 Jan. 1934, 28)
NOBBS & HYDE (Residential Works in Montreal unless noted)
WESTMOUNT, for A.F. Byers, Belmont Avenue, 1910 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for H.C. Hitch, Western Avenue near Olivier Avenue, 1910 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Maxwell Goldstein, Westmount Avenue, 1910-11 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
McGREGOR STREET, two houses for T.P. Howard, 1910-11 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Mrs. George T. Hyde, Westmount Avenue, 1911 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Dr. William Giles, Windsor Avenue, 1911 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for T.H. Prissick, Bellevue Avenue, 1911 (C.R., xxv, 18 Oct. 1911, 57)
PINE AVENUE WEST, at Cedar Avenue, for George A. Greene, 1911 (Const., viii, June 1915, 269, 272, illus. & descrip.)
SENNEVILLE, QUE., for Dr. J.L. Todd, Senneville Road, 1912 (C.R., xxv, 27 Dec. 1911, 64; xxvi, 10 April 1912, 67; Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 715-17, illus.; H. Kalman, History of Canadian Architecture, 1994, 630-1, illus. & descrip.)
WESTMOUNT, for T.P. Howard, Avenue Road, 1912 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
METIS, QUE., for George W. Grier, 1913 (Charles C. Hill, edit., Artists, Architects & Artisans - Canadian Art 1890-1918, 2013, 82-3, illus. & descrip.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, two houses for Thomas W. Lamb, The Boulevard, 1913 (C.R., xxvii, 19 Feb. 1913, 78)
WESTMOUNT, pair of houses for T.P. Howard, Avenue Road near Clarke Avenue, 1914-15; additions 1919 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for C.W. Tinling, Edgehill Avenue, 1915 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, pair of houses for Thomas Lamb, Grosvenor Avenue, 1915 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
OSGOOD LAKE, N.Y., for W.L. McDougald, 1915 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Dr. W. Gordon M. Byers, Summit Circle, 1916-17 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
TROIS RIVIERES, QUE., worker's housing for the Wayagamack Pulp & Paper Co., Notre Dame Street, 1919; Dormitory Block, 1920 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
HAMPSTEAD, for Mrs. A.F. Byers, Queen Mary Road at Ellerdale Road, 1919 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
MONTREAL WEST, two houses for Henry R. Trenholme, 1919-20 (C.R., xxxiii, 31 Dec. 1919, 47)
WESTMOUNT, two houses for Dr. A. Stanfield and Dr. F.B. Gurd, Westmount Avenue at Mount Pleasant Avenue, 1921 (C.R., xxxv, 4 May 1921, 60)
WESTMOUNT, for Dr. J. Roddick Byers, The Boulevard, 1922 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for J.Harold Magor, Mount Pleasant Avenue at Montrose Avenue, 1922 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Henry R. Trenholme, Mount Pleasant Avenue, 1922 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Dr. W.L. McDougald, Sunnyside Avenue, arched gateway linking house and garage, with cast iron gate and fence, 1922 (Const., xviii, June 1925, 19, illus. in advert.; R.A.I.C. Journal, v, June 1928, 214, 218, illus.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Mrs. Katie Stewart, Edgehill Road, 1922 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
CEDAR AVENUE, for Mrs. George T. Hyde, 1922-23 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
DORVAL, QUE., for Arthur H. Scott, Lakeshore Road, 1923 (C.R., xxxvi, 11 Oct. 1922, 52; R.A.I.C. Journal, v, May 1928, 180, illus.; June 1928, 213-14, descrip.; C.H.G., vii, April 1930, 40, illus.; ix, Jan. 1932, 59, illus.; xvi, May 1939, 45, illus.; Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 178-81, illus.)
WESTMOUNT, Grove Park Housing Estate, a group of "artistic" houses, 1924-29 (Montreal Daily Star, 29 Jan. 1925, 22, descrip. in advert.; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for Mrs. R.J. Durley, The Boulevard, 1925 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
TROIS RIVIERES, QUE., restoration of house for C.R. Whitehead, 1925 (C.H.G., iv, Dec. 1927, 28-9, illus.)
WESTMOUNT, for Ross Clarkson, The Boulevard, 1926 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for F.C. Wilson, Belvedere Place, 1926 (R.A.I.C. Journal, iv, June 1927, 209, 229, illus.)
PINE AVENUE WEST, for Mrs. G.T. Hyde, 1926 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for W.M. and J. Henry Birks, Belvedere Place, 1927 (R.A.I.C. Journal, v, May 1928, 172-3, illus.; Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 72-3, illus.)
DELTA UPSILON FRATERNITY, McTavish Street, major addition, 1928 (Gazette [Montreal], 7 July 1928, 4; inf. Scott Edwards; dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
REDPATH CRESCENT, for R. Reid Dobell, 1928 (C.R., xlii, 12 Sept. 1928, 54)
REDPATH CRESCENT, for George W. Grier, 1929 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
WESTMOUNT, for John Colford, Bellevue Avenue, 1929-31 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
HALIFAX, N.S., for A.J. Lomas, Bloomingdale Terrace, 1931; addition 1939 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
ALMONTE, ONT., reconstruction of Baird's Mill as residence and studio for R. Tait McKenzie, 1931 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
LAC BRULE, QUE., for Ross Clarkson, 1933 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
MOUNT ROYAL, for William Thow, Cedar Crescent, 1937 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
KNOWLTON, QUE., for Mrs. G. Miller Hyde, 1942 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE, a large tract of 480 houses on city-owned land, south of the CPR Angus Rail yards, between Sherbrooke Street West and Hochelaga Street, 1945 (Montreal Daily Star, 21 Sept. 1945, 17, descrip.)
NOBBS & VALENTINE (works in Montreal unless noted)
PHILLIPS SQUARE, offices for the architects located in the Henry Birks Building, c. 1912 (R.A.I.C. Journal, xxv, Oct. 1948, 376-7, illus. & descrip.)
ST. LAMBERT, QUE., Bell Telephone Exchange, addition of a second storey to existing building, and new rear extension, 1947-48 (South Shore Courier [St. Lambert], 14 Aug. 1947, 5, illus. & descrip.; inf. Yves Guillet, St. Lambert)
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL [Anglican], Ste. Catherine Street West, alterations, 1947-49; alterations to southwest Transept, 1950 (dwgs. in Nobbs Coll.)
COMPETITIONS
ENGLAND, The Tite Prize, for Travel in Italy, 1900, sponsored by the Royal Inst. of British Architects. Nobbs was one of 13 entrants who submitted designs for this annual award, His scheme, showing a Design for An Isolated Clock Tower and Belfry, and signed "Edificaturus" received the First Premium, and was illustrated and described in two large double-page plates in The Builder [London], lxxviii, 17 Feb. 1900, text p. 166 and plates. The design was the subject of some editorial criticism, however, as the design was described as one which was "...not of striking originality, but certainly one with the fewest faults" (Builder [London], lxxviii, 27 Jan. 1900, 75).
ENGLAND, Owen Jones Studentship for Travel in Europe, 1901. Nobbs was among six applicants for the scholarship, and received 2nd Prize and a Medal of Merit for his drawings of the choir stalls at Santa Maria Della Grazie Church in Milan (Builder [London], lxxx, 26 Jan. 1901, 78; Building News [London], lxxx, 1 March 1901, 291, descrip.). These drawings were later published as three full-page plates in Building News [London], lxxxi, 23 Aug. 1901, 243, 256-57, and 261.
ENGLAND, Design for a Town Church, 1903. Nobbs submitted an elaborate Edwardian design to the Royal Institute of British Architects as part of their annual Soane Medallion competition in 1903. He was one of 21 students who submitted designs, but failed to place among the finalists (Builder [London], lxxxiv, 24 Jan. 1903, 79). His drawings were eventually published in the British Architect [London], lix, 20 March 1903, 206 and plates, where it was cited as "....a clever design among the most noticeable in the recent Soane Medallion competiton drawings"
ENGLAND, Owen Jones Studentship for Travel in Europe, 1903. Nobbs received the First Prize of £ 100 for his measured drawings showing details inside a Romanesque Church (Building News [London], lxxxiv, 23 Jan. 1903, 112, 114; with critique of drawings 6 Feb. 1903, 185; Builder [London], lxxxiv, 24 Jan. 1903, 80, descrip.)
MONTREAL, QUE., Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Sherbrooke Street West, 1910. The firm of Nobbs & Hyde were one of three Montreal architectural offices invited by Edmund M. Wheelwright, the distinguished architect from Boston, to submit a design in a competition for this important institution (Gazette [Montreal], 5 April 1910, 3, and 14 May 1910, 11). Their design was passed over in favour of the winning submission by Edward & W.S. Maxwell. A consolation prize of $1,000 was given to Nobbs & Hyde for their effort (Montreal Daily Star, 25 June 1910, 27; Rosalind M. Pepall, Building a Beaux-Arts Museum - Montreal, 1986, 35-40)
WINNIPEG, MAN., City Hall, 1913. The Montreal firm of Nobbs & Hyde were one of 39 architects from across Canada who submitted plans in this national competition, but they were not among the five finalists (City of Winnipeg Archives, Council Communications, 1913, Box A169, Item 9741, list of entrants). The original drawings illustrating the Nobbs design have survived, and are now held in the Nobbs Collection at McGill University. The winners of the competition were Clemesha & Portnall of Regina, but their scheme was never built.
REGINA, SASK., War Memorial Museum, Albert Street, 1919. Nobbs & Hyde were one of eight architectural firms invited to submit proposals for this major commission, competing against other talented architects including Edward & W.S. Maxwell, Brown & Vallance, and Storey & Van Egmond. Nobbs & Hyde were awarded First Premium, but the scheme was never realised (Saskatoon Phoenix, 22 July 1919, 3, descrip.; 20 Aug 1919, 3, illus. & detailed descrip.; Const., xii, Sept. 1919, 268-71, 277-78, illus. & descrip.)
HAMILTON, ONT., North West Entrance to the City, 1927-28. Sixteen firms submitted designs in this competition for a series of parks, gardens and a high level bridge on lands adjacent to Dundurn Castle (Hamilton Spectator, 20 March 1928, 23, list of competitors). The scheme by Nobbs & Hyde, in collaboration with Noulan Couchon, was not premiated (R.A.I.C. Journal, v, April 1928, 131, Mark Osbaldeston, Unbuilt Hamilton, 2016, 159-60, illus. & descrip.). Earle Sheppard of Toronto won First Prize of $2,000, but his winning design was not built.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, Palace for the League of Nations, 1927. The scheme submitted by Nobbs & Hyde was a stiff and somewhat outdated Edwardian proposal which proved to be no match for the dramatic and innovative designs put forward by progressive European architects such as Le Corbusier of France, Hannes Meyer of Switzerland, Eliel Saarinen of Finland, and Richard Neutra of Germany. Nobbs was not included in the twenty-seven finalists. The First Premium was later awarded to Henri-Paul Nenot of Paris. Presentation drawings prepared by Nobbs for this project can be found in the Nobbs Collection at McGill University, and were published in The Architect & Building News [London], cxviii, 9 Dec. 1927, 881-2, 885, illus. & descrip.; and R.A.I.C. Journal, v, May 1928, 187-190, illus. & descrip. A full list of the 27 architects who received First and Second Prizes, and Honorable Mentions, was published in the Montreal Daily Star, 23 July 1927, p. 19 & p 32. Architects from the USA and Russia were barred from entering because these countries were not members of the League of Nations.
MONTREAL, QUE., Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul, Sherbrooke Street West at Redpath Street, 1929. The office of Nobbs & Hyde were one of twelve Montreal architectural firms invited to submit an entry (R.A.I.C. Journal, vi, Dec. 1929, 442-3, illus.; inf. Scott Edwards). Their proposal was set aside in favour of the modern Gothic design by Harold L. Fetherstonhaugh, who was declared the winner.
PERCY NOBBS (Selected list of books, publications & journal articles)
"The Architecture of Canada", in Construction [Toronto], iii, Oct. 1910, 56-60, illus.
"Architecture in Canada", by Percy Nobbs, pub. 1924 by the Royal Inst. of British Architects, a booklet printed in London for sale and distribution at the British Empire Exhibition, 90 p., with 16 page essay and critique, and 72 b&w illus. of key works of Canadian architecture from 1750 to 1920. The contents of this essay and booklet later appeared in the R.I.B.A. Journal [London], xxxi, 9 February 1924, 199-211, and 23 Feb. 1924, 238-40, illus.
"Canadian Architecture", by Percy Nobbs, in The Builder [London], cxxvi, 25 Jan. 1924, 142-43, illus.
"The English Tradition in Canada", by Percy Nobbs, in Architectural Review [London], lv, June 1924, 236-41, illus.
"Architecture in Canada", by Percy Nobbs, in R.A.I.C. Journal [Toronto], i, July-Sept. 1924, 91-95, illus.
"Tradition and Progress in Canadian Architecture" by Percy Nobbs, in The Studio [London], civ, 1932, 82-91, illus
"Recent Architecture in Canada" by Percy Nobbs, in R.A.I.C. Journal [Toronto], xiii, Sept. 1936, 167-71, illus.
"Design - A Treatise on the Discovery of Form", by Percy Nobbs, pub. 1937 by Oxford University Press, London, hardcover book with 412 p., index, with 177 line drawings of historical examples of building types, and 28 chapters on various subjects including Scale, Proportion, Ornament, Architectural Composition, Organic Planning, The Critical Appreciation of Form, Elaboration of Detail and others, with
Book Review of this publication in Apollo Magazine [London], xxvii, May 1938, 273;
Book Review of this publication in The Burlington Magazine [London], lxxi, Nov. 1937, 244;
"Percy E. Nobbs and His Associates: A Guide to the Archive", published 1986 by McGill University, Montreal, 1986, 272 p., b&w illus., with detailed list of 508 projects by Nobbs, and by Nobbs & Hyde, as illustrated with oriignal architectural drawings in the Nobbs Coll. at McGill Univ.