The owner’s tour | A mansion full of history in Léry

Owners open the doors of their exceptional residence to us, offered on the resale market.

Eric Clement
The Press

“The Ross family received family from England in this manor,” says Robert Thibert, its owner. Even the queen came to have a tea there during the opening of the Beauharnois locks. Later, the residence became a retirement home for priests. »

It is very difficult to verify the owner’s statements, but it is true that his stone mansion dating from 1895 is not lacking in historical anecdotes. The City of Léry believes that this property — located at 140, avenue du Manoir, near Châteauguay — has “exceptional” heritage value. Because of its architecture, its conservation value, its geographical position and its historical value.

Built on the shores of Lake Saint-Louis, the mansion was the summer residence of Montreal businessman William Gillies Ross (1863-1929), whose father, Philip Simpson Ross, owned the house next door ( today, at number 150 of the same street). According to municipal documents, William Gillies Ross organized there “every year, from 1907, curling, hockey and golf competitions with his four brothers”, one of whom, Philip Dansken Ross (journalist then publisher of the Montreal Star), distinguished himself in the fields of golf, football and hockey. He notably led the McGill football team which defeated Harvard in 1878, during the first international match between two Canadian and American football teams.

Robert Thibert bought the mansion nestled in a 154,632 sq. ft. park² (14,366m²) in 1981. “We wanted a house by the water, and it’s really beautiful and quiet in this area,” he says. For ten years, the 539 m² had two functions: to house his family of three children and to house the offices of his automobile accessories distribution business. With the children gone and the business of 500 employees expanding elsewhere, the mansion became too big for him and his wife, Guylaine Robert.

The big house also had another function, that of serving as a filming location, in particular because of its very beautiful entrance hall.

“For American films and for Quebec TV series, like young wolves or That’s how I love youa year and a half ago,” says M^me Robert, who thinks the property will be perfect for a large family or to run an inn.

The property has six bedrooms and as many bathrooms. And a third floor, very large, which could be transformed into a loft or several other bedrooms. The main rooms have original, gleaming oak flooring. “It has always been well maintained,” said Mr.^me Robert. It is a very hard wood that allows us to walk with our shoes at all times. »

The house also includes six wood-burning fireplaces. “It’s nice in winter,” says Mr. Thibert. We even have one in our room. “Even if the house is in a flood zone, the couple has never experienced flooding on the property covered with many trees, including sixty apple, pear and plum trees. “In the spring, when they are in bloom, it is very beautiful,” says the owner.

Robert Thibert and Guylaine Robert say they only had a good time on their estate. “In winter, we made skating rinks for the children on the lake,” says Mr. Thibert. And even today, people go fishing there by making paths on the frozen lake for their cars. In summer, we have the swimming pool and the tennis court redone last year. There is a small island in front of the property. The children swam there and sometimes they slept on the island! “The lake is very swimmable, the water is very clear,” adds M^me Robert.

Will you miss your home? the couple were asked. “Everyone tells us that, but it has become much too big,” says Guylaine Robert. “For two and a half years, my wife has been looking for another house in Léry, and the day she found it, beautiful, clean and with good grounds, we bought it that very afternoon! It is furnished and ready. We’ll occupy it when we sell this one! »