10 December 2005
Shaughnessy House is a Newly-Minted Classic Estate
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Shaughnessy House sits on 6.9 acres near the historic Algonquin
Hotel in St. Andrews.
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St. Andrews is a community at the mouth of the St. Croix River on a peninsula projecting into
Passamaquoddy Bay, named by French missionary who landed on St. Andrews Day. Shaughnessy House was first constructed in 1903 - the
100-year-old residence was once the summer home of Lord Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Company. The house is located at the site of Fort Tipperary, an original British garrison that was built for the War of 1812. The
barrack building, officers' quarters, guardhouse and sergeants' cottage were removed from the site so that the summer home could be
constructed. Fort Tipperary was acquired by Algonguin Properties Ltd., a Crown-owned corporation of the province, in 1985
from the late Margot Mais, granddaughter of Lord Shaughnessy. Although the land on which Shaughnessy House rests is protected under the
province's Historic Sites Protection Act (it contains the original earthworks for the War of 1812), the house itself is not an official
historic site. In April of 2004 it was destroyed by fire and demolished in 2005.
Algonquin Properties Limited was awarded a $1.1 million tender for the reconstruction of the former Shaughnessy House. Castle Rock
Construction Services Inc. of Saint John is rebuilding the former estate as close to its original form as possible. It's a masterpiece
in the making. The house is being re-created with all of its original splendor to capture once again the luxury and
grandeur that existed in the early 1900s. At that time St. Andrews by-the-Sea was the summer playground for the executives
of the Canadian Pacific Railway and high society from Canada and the United States.
Shaughnessy House, with approximately 6,400 sq. feet of living space, has all the bells and whistles while retaining the charm of a
bygone era. It features the moldings, beams, decorative cornices, and fireplaces that have been replicated to restore the fort to its
original grandeur. Outstanding views from various locations within the house will afford the residents both sunrise and sunset views
over Passamaquoddy Bay and the St. Croix River. Approximately 210 feet of continuous verandah, more than 12 feet deep, runs on all four
sides of the house, ending at the magnificent rotunda approximately 19 feet in diametre at the rear of the house. The rotunda enjoys a
splendid view over Katy's Cove of Passamaquoddy Bay. There's also a circular driveway with porte-cochere, a
great-room-style livingroom with massive stone fireplace, custom-built windows to match the original wood
design, elegant fireside dining room flowing out to the rotunda.
The home hopes to recreate the impeccable taste that Lord Shaughnessy was noted for and rests on 6.9 acres located near to the Algonquin
Hotel. At $1,450,000 Cdn. it's a bargain compared to other high-end real estate in Canada and the United States. When you
consider you are buying a piece of Canadian history, one faithfully replicated with up to date building materials, the latest in
heating, wiring, and insulation, hurricane glass in top of the line windows and an original large granite block foundation reset and
re-pointed, the price in today's marketplace is truly amazing.
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