McCowan House

• its location on 2nd Street SW in a residential area of Portage la Prairie, with the dwelling oriented to the east and removed from the street within the large lot

Key exterior elements that define the building's well-appointed Queen Anne Revival style include:

• the tall irregular 2½-storey massing, of brick construction on a stone foundation, with gabled pavilions flowing outward on three sides of the pyramidal roof and a hip-roofed extension at the rear
• the exquisitely detailed, two-level wraparound wood verandah, including an elevated portico, square posts, turned spindles, dentilled eaves, scrolled brackets and trim, and an entrance porch of white-painted wood inset with dark wood panels
• the one-storey verandah at the rear southwest corner in a similar style to the front and with turned posts
• the abundant fenestration throughout, composed of rectangular windows of various sizes, most outlined by segmental brick arches and rusticated limestone sills
• the other straightforward materials and details, including the buff finish brick, the wood cladding and cornices with scrolled modillions on gable ends, the glazed and wood-panelled front door, etc.

Key elements that define the dwelling's interior heritage character include:

• the formal entrance hall, including the graceful open staircase with exposed under-panelling, an intricately detailed square newel post, rounded landing steps and turned spindles
• the fine woodwork, highlighted on thick doors with generous, plainly milled trim and on window surrounds, many with panelling from sill to floor; also the oak entrance door with its scrolled applique and oval window, etc.
• other details and fixtures, including leaded- and stained-glass transoms over several windows, the elegantly curved banister of the staircase's upper landing, wood-panelled basement cupboards, etc.