22 West Street / The Priory

The heritage value of 22 West Street lies in its well preserved Richardsonian Romanesque architecture; its association with various Charlottetown residents; and its role in supporting the West and Kent Street streetscapes.

22 West Street was constructed in 1892 for railway accountant, Richard Young. He hired talented architect, William Critchlow Harris to design the beautiful home. The bulk of the stone for 22 West Street was imported Wallace stone but the facings are of Island sandstone - one of Harris' favourite materials.

The new home did not escape the notice of the Weekly Examiner newspaper, which described the home as "a gem". Merchant tailor, James Beales, purchased it shortly after it was built, for what was then the large sum of 5000 dollars. The Beales family referred to the home affectionately as the Priory. According to local directories, family member, Frank Beales remained a resident of the home until at least 1935.

22 West Street was influenced by the Victorian Eclectic and the Richardsonian Romanesque styles. The massive sandstone walls, the fenestration, the loggia and the stone stringcourses are features of the Richardsonian Romanesque style which is a revival based on French and Spanish Romanesque precedents of the 11th Century. It was named for architect, Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886) whose design of the Trinity Church rectory in Boston defined the style.

A striking home among a number of impressive homes, it helps support the West and Kent Street streetscapes.

Sources: Heritage Office, City of Charlottetown Planning Department, PO Box 98, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2

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