Victoria, BC
Heritage Masonry Projects

17th-Century Limestone Architecture

Location: Oldfield Estate (Private Heritage Restoration)
Year: 2017
Summary: In 2017, Stone & Trowel rebuilt and restored remnants of a 17th-Century Gothic Cathedral which was original to Italy but had been deconstructed and shipped to Victoria, BC. The limestone windows and doorways became garden features at the Norfolk Heritage Lodge, or Oldfield Estate, in Saanich, BC.
Scope of work: this heritage and historical masonry restoration included excavating areas throughout the estate's 17-acre garden, pouring concrete footers to the required dimensions, and restoring aspects of the limestone features prior to patiently rebuilding them one stone at a time. The use of both traditional Hotlime mortar and Natural Hydraulic Lime were necessary in securing the stonework in place. However, because a number of these architectural features were once supported and buttressed in place, metalwork was also required in order to stabilize the stonework in place.

Location: Duncan, BC (Municipal Heritage Restoration)
Year: 2024
Summary: Stone & Trowel was contracted to undertake the assessment and masonry restoration of Duncan's City Hall which was originally built in 1913. The building consists of sandstone and brick with a slate roof and clocktower. The project entailed repointing the original stonework with traditional lime-based mortars and a traditional lime-wash to help prevent the sandstone from eroding any further.
Scope of work: Both a heritage and historical masonry restoration project, Stone & Trowel was tasked with removing lead-based paint from the sandstone belts, clocktower, and window sills/arches, as well as repointing various aspects of the brickwork, granite staircases, and sandstone retaining walls. Removing the paint required a multi-faceted approach of delicately sanding the surface and then steam cleaning the remaining paint off of the sandstone itself. The sandstone bands were then repointed and lime-washed with Quicklime (traditional lime-based mortar). The sandstone base of the building was determined to still be in decent shape and capable of withstanding another decade or so of weathering prior to needing repointing.

Location: Government House, Victoria, BC (Municipal Heritage Restoration)
Year: 2025
Summary: Stone & Trowel co-hosted a learning seminar with trade-school students from Camosun College on working with traditional lime mortars and historical buildings.
Scope of work: This project entailed repointing stone retaining walls by removing the previous mortar with a pneumatic hammer-chisel as well as with traditional hammers and chisels. The stonework was then repointed with a traditional Hotlime mortar which was prepared to match that of the original. The next stage of the project entailed steam cleaning the porte cochère and other areas of the building/grounds.

Location: Throughout Victoria, BC (Private & Municipal Heritage Restorations)
Year: 2016 - Current
Summary: Over the decades, Stone & Trowel has worked on numerous heritage homes built by the famous architect Samuel Maclure, restoring the original chimneys and stone walls that he was involved in building.
Scope of work: From repointing and rebuilding heritage chimneys, stone pillars, and retaining walls, to repairing stucco and brick facades with traditional plasters, mortar, and lime-washes.