Casa Knowsley

Knowsley is an imposing colonial mansion located in the center of Port of Spain, opposite Queen's Park Savannah, and surrounded by Chancery Lane, Dundonald Street and Albion Lane. Built in 1904 for William Gordon as a private residence, it was designed and built by the Scottish architectural firm of Taylor and Gillies. It is composed of imported yellow brick and hand-cut local limestone. The marble on the veranda surrounding the ground floor was imported from Italy, and the wood on the magnificent staircase is from Guyana.The interior of the house is equally charming with plaster ceilings crafted by an Italian artisan and marble floors imported from Italy. The purple-hearted wooden staircase from Guyana adds a touch of warmth to the house's elegant atmosphere.In June 1956, Knowsley was purchased by the government of Trinidad and Tobago for use as offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The building is one of the few remaining examples of colonial architecture in Trinidad and Tobago. Its unique design incorporates local and foreign elements, a mix that represents the typical architectural style of large colonial houses around Queen's Park Savannah.The residence has been described as "almost ecclesiastical" and has a whimsical quality reminiscent of the witch's house in the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. However, its elegance is evident both inside and out, thanks to the combination of fine materials and high-quality craftsmanship.Knowsley joins other historic structures, such as the seven magnificent houses and the Boissière House, to form an important testimony to Trinidad and Tobago's colonial past.