SYLVESTER, Walter Charles (1894-1969), partner in the Ottawa architectural firm of Noffke, Morin & Sylvester (1922-1930), and Noffke & Sylvester (1930-35). Born in Ottawa on 24 May 1894, Sylvester was educated at local schools but did not receive a formal university education. Instead, he gained all of his architectural experience working as junior draftsman for Werner Noffke (in 1909-14), and with Barnes & Gibbs of Edmonton (in 1914-16). He then rejoined his mentor in Ottawa in 1916, and was invited by Noffke to become a full partner in the firm of Noffke & Morin in 1922 (see list of works under Noffke, Morin & Sylvester). In 1935 Sylvester opened an office under his own name, and remained active until 1964. He resigned from the PQAA in 1958, and later resigned from the OAA in April 1964. Sylvester died in Ottawa on 29 December 1969 (death notice Ottawa Citizen, 30 December 1969, 21; inf. Ontario Association of Architects; Province of Quebec Association of Architects).
(works in Ottawa unless noted)
W.C. SYLVESTER
ELGIN STREET, near Cooper Street, two storey commercial block with apartments for O.H. Holtz, 1935; still standing 2017 and now occupied by Dunn's Restaurant (Ottawa Journal, 4 July 1935, 2, descrip.)
ROCKCLIFFE PARK, residence for George M. Bleakney, Fairview Avenue, 1936 (Ottawa Citizen, 5 June 1936, 24)
ROCKCLIFFE AIRPORT, an aeroplane hangar and Men's Barracks for the Dept. of National Defense, 1936 (Ottawa Citizen, 10 Aug. 1936, 15; Gazette [Montreal], 10 Aug. 1936, 10, t.c.; inf. Scott Edwards)
KINCORA APARTMENTS, McLaren Street at Cartier Street, 1938 (C.R., li, 18 May 1938, 186; 20 July 1938, 34)
OTTAWA AIRDROME, an aeroplane hangar for the Dept. of Transport, 1938 (C.R., li, 24 Aug. 1938, 34)
VICTORIA ISLAND, a Storage and Workshop building for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Middle Street, for the Dept. of National Defense, 1938 (Ottawa Citizen, 5 July 1938, 1, descrip.)
ROCKCLIFFE PARK, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Barracks, addition of a full storey above the entire building, and a one-storey addition at rear, 1939 (Ottawa Journal, 4 July 1939, 18)
ROCKCLIFFE PARK, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Barracks, a large addition for horse stables,1939 (Ottawa Citizen, 31 Aug. 1939, 15)
DOMINION LOOSE LEAF CO., Parkdale Avenue at Spencer Street, printing plant for George L. Sprague, 1941 (C.R., liv, 5 March 1941, 35)
RUSSELL COURT APARTMENTS, Montreal Road at Mona Avenue, 1946 (C.R., lix, Aug. 1946, 157)
BILLINGS BRIDGE, ONT., Alta Vista Public School, Alpine Avenue, for School Area No. 1, Gloucester Twp., 1947 (Ottawa Journal, 23 Jan. 1947, 12, descrip.; 25 June 1947, 7, descrip.)
OVERBROOK, ONT., major addition to public school, School Area No. 2, Gloucester Twp., 1947 (Ottawa Journal, 7 Jan. 1947, 2, descrip.; C.R., lx, June 1947, 112)
ALTA VISTA PUBLIC SCHOOL, Randall Avenue, 1947 (Andrew Waldron, Exploring the Capital: An Architectural Guide to the Ottawa-Gatineau Region, 2017, 108, illus. & descrip.)
EASTVIEW, ONT. [now called Vanier, in East Ottawa], Eastview High School, McArthur Road at Olmstead Street, 1948-49 (C.R., lxi, Feb. 1948, 167; Ottawa Journal, 19 July 1948, 26, illus. & descrip.; R.A.I.C. Journal, xxvii, May 1950, 172, illus.)
CARLETON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, extensive alterations and improvements, 1949 (C.R., lxii, Feb. 1949, 149; Aug. 1949, 224)