The building

The stately mansion which stands proudly at 189 Laurier Avenue East , on the northeast corner, was built for Colonel Charles Eugene Panet in 1867.

189 Laurier Avenue East as it looks today, with its raised, mansard roof and additional gables, fewer chimneys, and the beautiful, white, enclosed front entrance.

This 2 1/2-storey, stone and brick house was constructed just after the finishing touches were put on the new Parliament buildings. It is typical of domestic structures of the period that mixed elements of the Gothic Revival and Second Empire styles. It features the hallmark, Second Empire mansard roof with flared eaves supported by double brackets. Gothic Revival dormers are well-spaced along the mansard roof the gables contain attractive, square-topped and round-topped windows.

Other impressive features of this grand, old building include the grand front entrance with its attractive

white framework and dormer. The well-crafted stone trim adds a perfect, rounded finishing touch to the windows.

In 1915 when the building was renovated, the original mansard roof was re-moved so the third level could be raised to contain apartments. The rear wall (north elevation) was removed and the building was extended some twenty feet. The material from the original, north wall seems to have been re-used to face the west wall. The north and east walls of the extension and the third level were constructed of brick. Except for the removal of two chimneys the only major structural change was the addition of balconies, a large verandah, and a foyer. Some window openings may have also been changed at that time. The porches and the balconies have subsequently been removed by the City.On the interior, while numerous partitions were added, there does not appear to be substantial damage to the original details. The staircase, some fireplace mantels, doors, windows and door trim, paneling around the windows, baseboards and cornices are original Once the 1915 additions were removed the house was substantially in its original condition.

Colonel Panet, who was born in 1830, was the son of Judge Philip Panet. Judge Panet sat on the Court of Queen's Bench in Lower Canada . In 1854 Colonel Panet was called to the bar of Lower Canada, and by 1874 he was serving in the Senate of Canada. Panet re­signed from the Senate in 1875 to accept the position of Dep­uty Minister of Militia and De­fence. He held that position until his death in 1898.

In 1900 Lt.-Colonel L.F. Finault, Deputy Minister of Mil­itia and Defence, moved into the house at 189 Laurier Avenue East . Although he passed away in 1907, his widow continued to live there for several years.

In 1910 Major George Paley, Director of Military Operations,

Department of Militia and De­fence moved into the Colonel Panet house.

However, he moved on to other quarters in a year.

The house was vacant until 1915 when it was renovated into an apartment house. The Elmscourt Apartments ful­filled this function until very recently. In 1998 the grand old Panet house was purchased by the Republic of Angola .

Since the purchase of this stately, old building by the Republic of Angola in May, 1998, there have been some ob­vious, much-needed repairs. Local residents have watched while the Embassy fulfilled its commitment to restore the old Panet house to its former grandeur. Today, when one walks along Laurier at King Edward, it is so easy to recapture the pride the Colonel surely felt for his home. We are also proud and grateful that the new residents at 189 Laurier East are part of the community.