Holland Residence ( 1926)
3601 Craigmillar Ave.
Francis Holland ( 1899–1928 ) and his wife Sylvia ( 1900-1974) , both architects,
designed this residence in 1926 and had two children . Francis unfortunately died
suddenly when their son was only an infant. Sylvia then moved to California where she
was unable to be recognized as an architect but found work as the first female animator
for Disney Studios in Hollywood. She leased the Holland Residence to pharmacist
William McGill who developed the McGill and Orme drug stores chain. His wife
Gertrude opened the first pre-school in B. C. in 1944 in their home on Craigmillar and
later became the first female Chairperson of the Greater Victoria School Board.
The Holland Residence reflects the architectural style of the Arts and Crafts
movement. It has half-timbered gables, rough-cut masonry and multi-pane casement
windows.
