The last major addition to Benvenuto was done in 1929 and was designed by the Butcharts’ favorite architect, Samuel Maclure.

This 1929 addition is the two storey structure on the east side of Benvenuto running along the east side of the Italian Garden.

Here are some photographs showing Benvenuto before and after the 1929 addition.

Benvenuto before 1929

Postcard showing Benvenuto, circa 1925, prior to construction of the Italian Garden and the 1929 addition to the east side of the Italian Garden. This postcard is postmarked 5 September 1925. (Author's collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto, circa 1925, prior to construction of the Italian Garden and the 1929 addition to the east side of the Italian Garden. This postcard is postmarked 5 September 1925. (Author’s collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto, circa 1926-1928, prior to construction of the 1929 addition to the east side of the Italian Garden (Author's collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto, circa 1926-1928, prior to construction of the 1929 addition to the east side of the Italian Garden (Author’s collection)

Benvenuto after 1929

Postcard showing Benvenuto and the Italian Garden, circa 1930,, following construction of the 1929 addition to the east side of Benvenuto and the Italian Garden. (Author's collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto and the Italian Garden, circa 1930,, following construction of the 1929 addition to the east side of Benvenuto and the Italian Garden. (Author’s collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto and the Italian Garden, circa 1950. This postcard was distributed by the Northern Pacific Railway. (Author's collection)
Postcard showing Benvenuto and the Italian Garden, circa 1950. This postcard was distributed by the Northern Pacific Railway. (Author’s collection)

Italian Garden Before 1929

Postcard of the Italian Garden, looking south toward Benvenuto, circa 1926-1928, prior to the construction of the 1929 addition to Benvenuto on the east side (left) of the Italian Garden. (Author's collection)
Postcard of the Italian Garden, looking south toward Benvenuto, circa 1926-1928, prior to the construction of the 1929 addition to Benvenuto on the east side (left) of the Italian Garden. (Author’s collection)

Italian Garden After 1929

The Italian Garden, looking south toward Benvenuto,circa 1950. (Author's collection)
The Italian Garden, looking south toward Benvenuto, circa 1950. (Author’s collection)

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of From Devastation To Beauty – The Creation Of The Butchart Gardens:

“The final major addition to Benvenuto was designed by Samuel Maclure in 1929 and consisted of a two story addition running along the east side of the Italian Garden, at a right angle to the existing building. The new addition contained, among other features, an indoor bowling alley on the main, or second, level.

Maclure’s 1929 design was the last major addition to Benvenuto. It was also the last commission Samuel Maclure undertook for the Butcharts and one of the last works of Maclure’s career.

In the spring of 1929, Maclure’s health began deteriorate. In June, he was admitted to Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital. He never left the hospital. On July 31, surgeons removed Maclure’s prostate but the operation didn’t help. Samuel Maclure died in hospital, aged 69, on 8 August 1929.

Samuel Maclure was the only architect the Butcharts had employed to work on Benvenuto. After Maclure’s death, they didn’t look for another architect to replace him. After completing the 1929 addition, the Butcharts did not do any more major renovations on Benvenuto…..”

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