Your Springbank House Stay
Historic Beginnings - The End of an Era
Between 1909-10, as the Victorian Age was coming to an end, a successful local accountant and descendant of one of the region’s founding families - A.W. Taylor - built Springbank House with family and friends in mind. Famously crafted with fine cut stone and stucco, the grand home was built on the Merritt Trail at the corner of Yates and College Street. The massive property was not only visually captivating, but also an inviting home for the Taylors to host elaborate dinner parties, intimate concerts and fabulous, large gatherings.
The home sits on the original property site of the famous Springbank House Hotel and Spa that was transformed in 1889 into Ridley College as the first location for that school. As such, “Springbank House'' has been an icon in the history of one of Canada’s premier private schools. The Inn today serves as a place for “ORs” and parents of Ridleans to stay for major school events such as Homecoming, Church Parade and annual Graduation ceremonies.
A Truly Grand Experience.
We are overjoyed to welcome you to the Springbank House - a boutique Bed & Breakfast in beautiful Downtown St. Catharines.
Inspired by local historic landmarks, the original construction plans and a passion for beautiful design, Springbank House was painstakingly restored over two years to its original charm and character. A Historian by trade, your Innkeeper also drew inspiration from the words of those who lived in the grand house before him. His wife, a long time teacher at Ridley College and cooking enthusiast, provides creatively-designed gourmet breakfasts, fit for the original owners. The result is a fully-renovated Springbank House prepared to deliver a restful and memorable stay in the style of the turn of the century.
At Springbank House, we are all about impeccable (and most-times intuitive) service for our valued guests. This extends from our luxury amenities to our extravagant suites and unique touches. Whether you’re with us for just a few nights, a long weekend or an extended stay - we strive to make every aspect of your stay a memorable experience.
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The Taylor Suite
Named after the A.W. Taylor family - the original homeowners of Springbank House.
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The Sun Suite
Slip into tradition in the state-of-the-art Sun Suite.
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The Magnolia Suite
A premium suite to relax, recover, refresh and enjoy.
"What fool buys a rundown antique house they clearly do not need, and then pours money into transforming it from a very tired version of itself to its former grandeur of over one hundred years ago. Why do it in such uncertain times? Simple answers, Me (and my wife Kim). The why? For my part, only LOVE can explain the purchase and the full-on commitment to restoration as per the original plans. Literally, only hard-earned love.
While I consulted for Ridley College for three years in the early 2000s, the house won me over. It did it with each warm and good-humoured welcome in the vestibule, with each early morning cup of black gold in the luxuriant living room; with every sumptuous breakfast served in the formal dining room; and, as each day ended, with a night of deep, restorative sleep in a grand old room. Springbank House successfully lodged itself into my brain as my only worthy bucket list item.
Now in the last phase of my life, I seriously considered this crazy plan of owning and restoring Springbank to its exact grandeur. To this, I added the dream of using the restored home to give back to the community. Could I remake Springbank as the centre of the community it once was? On my 65th birthday it hit me, why not do it ALL!
Two years later, with the help of my very understanding wife, not to mention a dedicated army of craftspeople, I now sit by the fire in the restored living room at Springbank, perched on a chair that defines comfort with our Bernese Mountain Dog, Ella, stretched out on the floor. With Kim’s support and Ella’s promise not to “over welcome” guests, I am ready for the hard part: once again press…
“…this unique old home, now glistening as its original owner intended in 1909, to generate international goodwill and to change the lives of others as it had changed mine.”
— Geoff Irvine, Proprietor, Springbank House
