Villa Louise,
Dr. Alexander
Fleming House
707 Louise Avenue,
Brandon

Designation Date: October 30, 1991
Designation Authority: Honourable Bonnie Mitchelson, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship
Present Owner: privately owned

Villa Louise is an exceptional example of the Italianate Villa style. Part of the Picturesque Movement in nineteenth century North American design, the Italianate Villa style featured low-pitched roofs, wide eaves with decorative brackets, and wide verandahs. Villa Louise, with its striking appearance, generous size and extensive grounds, was a landmark in early Brandon. Once common in Manitoba, examples of this style are now extremely rare.

The residence is also the earliest known Brandon commission of Walter H. Shillinglaw (1864-1957), who enjoyed a distinguished career as an architect, military officer, and City Engineer in Brandon. The house was built in 1888 for pioneer physician Alexander Fleming (1841-97). It was subsequently owned by Isaac Robinson, founder of the Empire Brewing Company of Brandon.