Steele, Alexander Denton

STEELE, Alexander Denton (1841-1890), an important yet highly underrated architect active in Montreal, Que. where he was in partnership with Alexander C. Hutchison from 1875 until 1890 (see list of works under Hutchison & Steele). Born in England, Steele arrived in Canada in late 1871 and was employed as a draftsman by Hutchison when, under his own name, he entered the competition for the new Y.M.C.A. Building, Craig Street at Radegonde Street, MONTREAL, QUE. From the five designs submitted, Steele was awarded First Premium, and his elegant High Victorian design was completed in 1872 (Montreal Herald, 9 Sept. 1872, 2, descrip.; Canadian Illustrated News [Montreal], vi, 14 Sept. 1872, 161, illus., 163, descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1873, 3; Concordia Univ. Archives, Y.M.C.A. Montreal, Minute Book, entry for 17 Jan. 1872). By 1875 he had joined Hutchison in a full partnership, and during the next fifteen years their firm was remarkably successful, producing plans for nearly 100 institutional, ecclesiastical, commercial and residential works. Much of that success can be attributed to Steele who was, according to an account in 1890 '....possessed of eminently distinguished artistic tastes and much practical ability'.

Steele was a talented architect and delineator, and a perceptive observer of architectural styles both in Canada and in England. His lecture at the Art Association Rooms in Montreal on the subject of 'Domestic Architecture' received attention and praise from the local press (Gazette [Montreal], 1 March 1882, 3). In 1877 or 1878 he designed his own house at No. 19 Essex Avenue in Montreal, a residence described as 'a model of beauty and refinement', and one which received a visit from the Governor General of Canada and Princess Louise. In 1890 this same residence was noted as 'an artistic mansion' when the entire contents of the house were put up for auction due to Steele's 'impaired health, necessitating his giving up the practice of his profession' (Gazette [Montreal], 22 Sept. 1890, 3, descrip.). This article provides insight into his own personal art collection, and was followed by another article describing the furnishings of the house (Gazette [Montreal], 29 Sept. 1890, 3, descrip.). The residence was admired by other professional architects, and was later purchased by Sir Andrew T. Taylor, a leading architect in Montreal (Gazette [Montreal], 25 Sept. 1890, 3).

Steele left Canada in early October 1890 and returned to England (Gazette [Montreal], 9 Oct. 1890, 3). He suffered a stroke while in London, England, and was later brought to his mother's residence in the town of Elland, Co. Yorkshire where he died on 16 November 1890 at the age of forty-nine years (obit. Halifax Guardian [Halifax, England], 22 Nov. 1890; obit. Gazette [Montreal], 3 Dec. 1890, 2; obit. C.A.B., iii, Dec. 1890, 137; inf. Maureen McIntyre, Montreal)