Archibald, Ian Thurston, 1903-1971

Born in Montreal, Ian Thurston Archibald was the son of the eminent architect John S. Archibald who played an influential role in the development of his career. He attended the Montreal High School and worked in his father's office during each summer from 1921 to 1928 while attending courses in the Department of Architecture at McGill University. He graduated from McGill in 1928 and in that year joined his father as a draftsman where he remained for two years until 1930 when he undertook to represent the firm in Vancouver on the site of the new Hotel Vancouver being erected by the Canadian National Railway. He returned to Montreal in early 1934 and upon the death of his father in March of that year established the firm of John S. Archibald Associates in collaboration with Hugh P. Illsley and John A. Currie who had been working in the office since 1927. In April 1937 the firm was renamed Archibald & Illsley. Works they produced include Macy's Drug Store and Dining Room, Sherbrooke Street West at Victoria Avenue in Westmount, 1938; a cabin for Ian T. Archibald, in Montebello, Quebec, 1939 ; a residence for Thurston D. Archibald, Upper Belmont Avenue, 1940; a new Parish Hall for St. George’s Anglican Church, Stanley Street, 1945; and Postal Station B, University Street at Cathcart Street, 1949-50. The Art Deco design for the flagship store of the F.W. Woolworth Co. on Ste. Catherine Street West in 1938 was among their most striking designs. The partnership flourished and in late 1949 they were joined by Frances O. Templeton The firm was dissolved after 1970, and Ian T. Archibald died in Montreal the following year.