Historic multi-unit on beautiful Germain Street
Saint John circa 1883. One hundred and twenty-six years ago the Port City looked rather different that it does today. Horses pulled carriages through the streets; passengers hopped aboard steamships heading for Boston; and homes continued to be rebuilt after a great fire devastated the city six years earlier.
At this time prominent businessman R.B. Emerson, a manufacturer who produced and dealt in slate and wood mantles, grates, stoves, tinware and hardware, began construction on his elegant sandstone home on beautiful Germain Street.
Quality stands the test of time, and while Emerson is long gone, his impressive home remains with much of the original architectural details beautifully preserved. This home is listed with the New Brunswick Register of Historic Places because of its historically significant architecture and its connection to a leading Saint John businessman of its day.
Walk up the sandstone stairs to the elaborate entrance crowned by a stone balustrade – evidence of the home’s Italianate style. Look up and admire the triple windows and the wide stone cornice with brackets. Step through the solid wood doors and into the owner’s apartment. Here you’ll find a lovely original marble tiled hallway.
Peak to your left, into the formal living room and take a few moments to admire the quality workmanship of the fireplace, surrounding mantle, built-in cabinets and shelving unit. The details on the woodwork merit close examination.
The dining room boasts another impressive fireplace, along with a closet with hidden shelves and a lovely coffered ceiling. You’ll also notice the ornate grate along one wall. This grate connects to one of the large bedrooms, likely to allow heat from the fireplace to warm this room. This bedroom has beautiful mahogany shutters. Both of the two bedrooms in the owner’s apartment are large with lovely plaster crown mouldings.
This 4854 square-foot building has three additional apartments (a one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom units). All of these apartments offer fine examples of the home’s original character. Find a stunning white marble fireplace with carving; there’s a lovely built-in china cabinet; original ornate doorknobs and light fixtures, plus a lovely stained glass skylight.
This home must be toured to appreciate the details – deep baseboards, solid wood doors, plaster mouldings, high ceilings, beautiful windows, lovely fireplaces … Four fridges, four stoves, mahogany shutters, original light fixtures (in storage), and window treatments are included in the sale.
The building has oil heating with cast iron radiators. Water and sewer are municipal and you’ll find off-street parking (very valuable in Saint John!) for four vehicles in the back of the home.
Own a piece of history on one of Saint John’s most picturesque Uptown streets. Walk to work, restaurants, shopping, the Imperial Theatre, The Saint John City Market, Harbour Station and Harbour Passage. This is an ideal location.
Call Katherine Bacon, Certified Fine Home Specialist at 849-1678 or toll free across North America at 1-877-676-0300, for more information or to book your private viewing.
This home was built in 1883 for local businessman R.B. Emerson.
One of the most beautiful marble fireplaces imaginable.
Inside you’ll find much of its original splendour. Stained glass skylight in one of the apartments.
What a beautiful entrance. Welcome to 190 Germain Street.
An example of the stonework on this Italianate-style home.
Another shot of the elaborate entrance stonework.
More stonework details with this dentil crown.
Stunning fireplace with original porcelain surround & mahogany mantle and built-in bookcases.
Close up details on the owner’s living room fireplace mantle ...
...and from the other side. Note the hinges, too.
A close up of the marble flooring in the foyer and hallway.
Beautiful knee brackets like this are found throughout the home.
One of many ornate fireplaces, this marble one is in the owner’s unit dining room.
Beautiful mahogany coffered ceiling in the owner’s unit dining room.
Another photo of the coffered ceiling.
Mahogany shelving in the owner’s dining room.
Lovely mahogany shutters.
How beautiful is the detail?
Another of the many fireplaces, this one in a rental unit.
A built-in linen cabinet in one of the rental units.
The door under the stairs in the owner’s unit. Note the original marble floor.
Original hardware, such as this doorknob, is found throughout the home.
So much detail! Curtain hooks for tying back drapes.
One of the many lovely ornate hinges found on solid wood doors.
Find original woodwork throughout such as deep mahogany baseboards.
The transom window in one of the rental units.
More plaster crown mouldings, this style is found in the bedrooms.
A historical photo taken of the home showing the original foyer & staircase when this home was single family.
Another original photo showing the second floor sitting room.
This photo was taken of the dining room.
This room on the second level is now one of the rental apartment rooms.
Photo of the original second floor central hall.
Another historical photo of the home.
Own a piece of the past with this historically significant home.
Set on one of Saint John’s most picturesque streets, Germain Street.