This Historic $27M Mansion is Vancouver’s Very Own ‘Downton Abbey’

Described as the “Grand Dame” of Vancouver’s posh First Shaughnessy residential area, the Rosemary Estate is the largest Heritage A-designated estate ever built in the neighbourhood. Boasting 12 bedrooms and more than 16,000 square feet of interior space, the Tudor-revival-style estate was designed by the architects MacLure and Fox. Construction took place between 1912 and 1915.
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According to the Vancouver Sun, whiskey baron Albert Tulk made a fortune prior to the First World War, and hired what was considered the city’s top architecture firm to design a home that represented his wealth. Named after Tulk’s daughter, the Rosemary Estate was constructed on two adjacent lots that, at the the time, comprised of nearly two acres of land. It was the Shaughnessy neighbourhood’s most expensive home at the time of its completion. In addition to the 14,200-square-foot main house, the property also included a 2,200-square-foot carriage house.

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The upper lounge is described as “an impressive room of grand scale,” featuring massive beam ceilings made from solid oak. Bespoke cabinetry features bookcases adorned with leaded glass, while the original Art Deco fireplace features a hand-hammered copper surround.
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La Salon D’Or (the gold parlour) is described as “a spectacular room of grand scale and design,” boasting parquet oak and mahogany floors. Red velvet walls accompany a quartet of marble pillars that support the beamed ceiling, which is accented by “Dianthus leaf” crown mouldings.

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A stunning gold chandelier and eight gold wall sconces add to the ambience of La Salon D’Or, as does a grand, centrally situated fireplace. In addition, the room’s original leaded-glass windows have been painstakingly restored. Red velvet curtains and gold mouldings add opulent accents.

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The formal dining room boasts mahogany panels combined with Chinese silk to create a room that would have blended right in with Downton Abbey. Inlaid hardwood flooring and an oversized bay window with bench-style seating complete the look.

Numerous custom chandeliers and light fixtures are showcased throughout the Rosemary Estate.
The home’s current owner spent five years painstakingly renovating the home, meticulously restoring details to their original glory. Luxurious modern conveniences have been discreetly added, but the goal was to bring elements such as this stunning chandelier – found in the dining room – back to how they would have looked in the early part of the 20th century. According to realtors Will McKitka and Kevin Hardy, millions were spent on the extensive restorations.

After original owner Albert Tulk’s death in 1922, the home was sold to British Columbia’s 14th Lieutenant-Governor, John William Fordham Johnson. He paid $75,000, which was estimated to be less than what it cost Tulk to build the home in the first place.

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The main kitchen is described as “a marriage of beauty, convenience and modern luxury.” The eye-catching kitchen island is a 12-foot-long slab of rosewood flanked by three sets of French doors, which allow natural light to pour into the room.

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Three elegant chandeliers hang from the extra-high ceilings in the kitchen. An ornate kitchen table offers an informal eating space, in addition to the bar-style seating at the rosewood island.

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The focal point of the kitchen is the stunning La Cornue gas range. According to the estate’s website, the kitchen includes custom oak cabinetry, “an impressive carved oak canopy/extraction fan, integrated Gaggenau appliances and espresso machine.” The kitchen also boasts a charming French country sink. In addition, there’s also a separate caterer’s kitchen.

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In 1931, the home was purchased by its third owner, Major Austin Cotterell Taylor, described as an “influential business figure in Canada” who also had a passion for horses. According to his biography, Taylor “assembled the most powerful stable ever seen in Western Canada during the 1930s,” competing in Vancouver and also in racetracks throughout California.

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In 1947, the home came into the hands of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Retreat in the Cenacle, a Roman Catholic order founded in Lalouvesc, France. The Sisters used the estate as a hostel for women, initially taking in any woman in need who came to their door, though eventually the estate came to be open only to women willing to make their stay a time of serious prayer. The order decided to sell the home in 1994, at which point the massive lot was subdivided into three plots of land so that new homes could be built on either side. The Rosemary Estate was then granted heritage structure designation.

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The unbelievably spacious master bedroom boasts a large bay window with seating area tucked within it. The master is one of five bedrooms occupying the second storey of the home.

Carrara marble is utilized in the bathroom, complementing vintage fittings and tiles. The expansive master bath includes both a large soaker tub and glass-walled step-in shower. In addition, a stately vanity boasts dual sinks.

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In 2014, the estate was purchased by Mingfei Zhao, who noted that his decision to buy and restore the home was inspired by his love of the show Downton Abbey. “Zhao’s extraordinary vision and substantial financial commitments allowed him to restore the Rosemary to her former glory,” notes the estate’s website, adding that he spent more than five years “working with the best heritage consultants, contractors and artisans in restoring the Rosemary.”

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The third floor hosts four more bedrooms and two dens. A sense of old-world charm pervades these bedrooms, which feature restored hardwood flooring.

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This luxurious bathroom boasts walls of Carrara marble. A dual-sink vanity complements the original floor tiles.

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As the Vancouver Sun reported, the home’s current owner, Mingfei Zhao, commissioned architect Ken Wong and FairTradeWorks construction to undertake the restoration.

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Additional features in the home include 11 fireplaces and an attached coach house with three bedrooms for staff – because what would a Downton Abbey-inspired home be without all the drama provided by the staff?

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