REAL ESTATE PROFILE
A Q&A with Stuart Webster
Stuart Webster, landscape architect and president of Stuart Webster Design, spent his early years in the Eastern Townships with his younger sister, his architect dad, and his mom, an avid gardener.
He was a curious and creative child who loved to draw. Webster was six years old when the family moved to Montreal, just in time for him to begin his formal education.
We met at his new office, on StPatrick St.
Question: Where did you go to school?
Answer: I attended Selwyn House in Westmount, and did a year at Upper Canada College, in Toronto, before heading to Princeton (N.J.) to study art history. It was exciting to learn how a blend of culture and events of the times influenced an artist’s work.
After the first term of my freshman year, I was reading a course catalogue when a third-year-level course, Renaissance Gardens and Landscape Architecture, caught my eye. Students wanting to register for it had to write a letter to the professor, with their reasons. I wrote one. He asked for a meeting, we talked, and I was in.
He was a great teacher and made me fall in love with the idea of creating with nature. After graduating, I spent a year abroad, at the Inchbald School of Garden Design in London.
What came next?
I returned home in 1995 and began seeking employment, mostly in the U.S., which was sad because I love Montreal so much. Then I was approached by a family friend who was president of Ogilvy’s department store.
They were converting the basement into boutiques and he thought a garden store would be great. We found a franchise in Victoria, B.C., and bought the Quebec rights. I became the franchisee/ owner of a shop called Dig This, selling garden tools, fancy pots, watering cans and gifts. The retail learning curve was steep, but I welcomed the challenge.
How did you get your first landscape design job?
A year later, I got a call from an Eastern Townships couple who were building a home on two acres of land. They asked to see my portfolio. I confessed that I didn’t have one.
We walked around the property; it was like a blank canvas. I shared my thoughts and they loved my vision and energy. I was hired. Work began immediately. I was drawing, choosing plants, trees, and supervising teams of gardeners.
When it was done I took many photos, for my portfolio. Word spread and I started to get more work. That’s when I hired my first, fabulous, full-time employee, Jill Morton. She stayed with me for almost 20 years.
What happened to Dig This?
I retained the franchise for five years, at which point our lease with Ogilvy’s was up for renewal. The cost of retail space had skyrocketed
and landscape-design clients were keeping me busy. I decided to close the store.
How did Stuart Webster Design evolve?
In 2000, I acquired a Hudsonbased company — Claude Daccord Landscape Design — and kept his employees on. I set up an office on Notre Dame St. and later moved to Griffintown, where we stayed for 10 years. Our move to St-Patrick St. is very recent. In 15 years, we have tackled many projects and won a few awards.
Any helpful hints to share about landscape design?
I can think of a couple.
I frequently get requests for a “low-maintenance” English garden. This is pretty much impossible to accomplish; they are beautiful, but take work.
My second tip is more a rule of thumb. When estimating the cost of a building project, add 10 to 15 per cent of the total, for landscape design.
This holds true, across the board.
What is your crowning achievement?
Easy one — it’s my team. I have 14
full-time employees. This number swells to about 50, seasonally. They are amazing.
Can you share details about a current project?
We recently completed a rooftop terrace, which is part of a Montreal businessman’s penthouse condo. It includes custom-designed flower boxes, water features, glasswork, lighting, plenty of furniture and an outdoor kitchen. It’s stunning.
What about other passions?
My community work is dear to me. I have a long-enduring relationship with the Montreal Association for the Blind and Mackay Centre. Recently, at their annual golf tournament, I was honoured as a past president of the foundation.
Other favourite pastimes include racquet sports and fly-fishing.
I am also very passionate about my wife, Claire, my stepson, Matthew, and daughters, Julia and Siena.
We’re moving soon, after selling our house in favour of a condo on the Lachine Canal.
It’s just up the street from my office.
I’ll be able to walk, bike or even paddle to work.
I frequently get requests for a “low maintenance” English garden. This is pretty much impossible to accomplish; they are beautiful, but take work.