{{short description|Anglo-Canadian architect, surveyor and manufacturer}} {{Infobox architect |name= John Ostell |image= John Ostell.jpg |caption= John Ostell |birth_date= 7 August 1813 |birth_place= London, England |death_date=6 April 1892 |death_place= [[Montreal, Quebec]], Dominion of Canada |alma_mater= apprenticed to André Trudeau |practice= John Ostell & Henri-Maurice Perrault |significant_buildings= |significant_projects= |significant_design= |awards= }} '''John Ostell''' (7 August 1813 &ndash; 6 April 1892) was a British-Canadian architect,<ref>John Ostell, architect, surveyor 1985 Ellen James</ref> surveyor and manufacturer, was born in London, England and emigrated to [[Canada]] in 1834, where he apprenticed himself to a [[Montreal]] surveyor André Trudeau to learn French methods of surveying. In 1837 he married Eleonore Gauvin, a member of a prominent French Catholic family in the city. His marriage ensured entry to French Canadian society, he was appointed diocesan architect for Montreal. In 1849 he formed a partnership with his nephew Henri-Maurice Perrault (1828–1903), this was the formation of one of the first architectural dynasties in Canada.

He mostly worked in the [[Greek Revival]] style of architecture. His first work in Montreal was the city's [[Old Montreal Custom House|original Custom House]], completed in 1836.<ref>[http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/tour/etape9/eng/9text2a.htm ''Pointe-à-Callière and Place Royale'', Old Montreal Web site]</ref> This was followed by the [[Arts Building (McGill University)|McGill University Arts Building]], 1839–1843, the oldest building on the McGill campus, extended 1860-1862 (formerly known as the McGill College Building, today renamed the McCall MacBain Arts Building); Asile des Soeurs de la Providence (aka [[Émilie Gamelin|Asile de la Providence]]), 1842 (demolished); [[High School of Montreal]], 1845 (demolished); Protestant Orphan Asylum, 1848 (demolished); Palais episcopal (Episcopal Palace) 1849, burnt 1852; Eglise de Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Graces, 1851; Church of St Anne, 1853 (demolished); [[Grand séminaire de Montréal]], 1854; and the Old Montreal Court House, now known as the [[Édifice Lucien-Saulnier]].1856-1859. Ostell submitted designs for the new [[Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)|St. James Cathedral]] in [[Toronto]] in 1849, placing second in the competition to [[Frederick William Cumberland]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last = James | first = Ellen | encyclopedia = Dictionary of Canadian Biography | title = Ostell, John | url = http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=40471 | accessdate = 2011-02-14 | volume = 12}}</ref> The only residential home left standing built by Ostell is the former home of [[Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine]] in [[downtown Montreal]] at 1395 [[Overdale]] Ave. The house, which was abandoned for the past 30 years and falling apart, was restored recently (2019) to its original appearance by the real estate developer of the condominium complex now surrounding it.

<gallery> Image:Ancien palais de justice (Montréal).JPG|Old Municipal Courthouse [[Édifice Lucien-Saulnier]]. Image:Customs House Montreal.jpg|[[Old Montreal Custom House|Original Custom House]] Image:Arts Building, McGill University, Aug 31 2022.jpg|[[Arts Building (McGill University)|McGill University Arts Building]]. </gallery>

In 1859 he largely abandoned architecture having established a successful lumber business in 1852. The factory made doors and windows for export to Upper Canada ([[Ontario]]), Australia, the US and Britain. By 1856 the factory covered {{convert|5|acre|m2}} and employed 75 workers and had a turn over of goods worth £18,750 per annum.

There are two adjacent streets in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges burough named after him: Ostell Street and Ostell Crescent.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

== References == {{reflist}} {{Commons}}

== External links == * [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=6349 Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''] * [http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/results-resultats.aspx?m=2&Keyword=john%20ostell Historic Places in Canada]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ostell, John}} [[Category:Architects from London]] [[Category:1813 births]] [[Category:1892 deaths]] [[Category:History of Montreal]] [[Category:Neoclassical architects]] [[Category:Greek Revival architects]] [[Category:John Ostell buildings| ]] [[Category:19th-century Canadian architects]] [[Category:English emigrants to Canada]] [[Category:Burials at Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery]]