Hannibal's TV house exterior architecture?

November 24, 2015 11:19 AM

On TV's Hannibal, how would you characterize the exterior of Hannibal's house? Architecture-wise, but also history-wise? A UK friend would like to describe/discuss it in her fanfic, but is unfamiliar with US architecture/history. Images inside!:

Here's the house in question (set in Baltimore, though portrayed by a Toronto house on Simcoe Street--I don't know anything else about it):

http://hannibal.wikia.com/wiki/Hannibal_Lecter's_house?file=Hannibal%2527s_house.jpg

What can you tell about its architecture, period, style, mood, history? As my friend was wondering, "Like ‘Victorian Colonial’ or ‘Gothic Turrety’ or ‘Modern Pointy’ or what?" She'd like to be able to characterize it (as Will Graham would believably think of it), but also get a better sense of its potential history and tone and whatnot.

Many thanks for your help!

posted by theatro to Media & Arts (11 answers total)

Best answer: I'd say it's a subdued take on Richardsonian Romanesque, going by the round arches over the windows, textured brickwork, and overall symmetry. Probably 1890-ish? I think the actual Toronto house itself would be classified as "Annex style" but I don't think that's a well-known term. A house like that would have been built as a family mansion (with room for servants) by a wealthy lawyer or businessman. Most of them end up converted to flats, B&Bs, nursing homes, professional offices, etc., but a few are still private residences (and require a whole lot of time and money to maintain).
posted by theodolite at 11:43 AM on November 24, 2015 [4 favorites]

Best answer: I can't help directly but have just linked your question over to FanFare Cannibal Club in case there's anyone over there who knows the answer but doesn't routinely hang out in AskMe. Hopefully they'll come over here and respond, but you might also keep an eye on that thread.
posted by Stacey at 11:50 AM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Yeah, I'd say Romanesque Revival from around the turn of the 20th C.

/Architectural History major paying off for once.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:58 AM on November 24, 2015 [4 favorites]

Best answer: From theodolite's second link: The Annex style house borrows elements from both the American Richardson Romanesque and the British Queen Anne Style.

That perfectly explains the style. Not specifically Romanesque Revival, but a hybrid style.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 12:00 PM on November 24, 2015

Best answer: I'd say some Italianate belongs in that hybrid description. Specifically the porch and the long, tall bays and their gables. Those gables are indeed a bit Queen Anne-y.
posted by humboldt32 at 12:07 PM on November 24, 2015

Best answer: It's the manse for St. Andrew's Presybyterian Church:

The manse is in the Second Empire style, with a Mansard roof.

But, also, in terms of the church itself:

The congregation of St. Andrew’s purchased land on King Street and construction of the new church commenced in 1874. Storm chose the Romanesque Revival style, and designed three large solid towers on the structure, the largest of them facing Simcoe Street. It overlooked Government House, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province. This tower contained small decorative turrets on each of its four corners, as well as large parapets between the mini-towers. The north facade, facing King Street, possessed two towers, with heavy stone ornamentation at the top of each. The church was solid and formal, designed to resemble those built in Mediaeval Scotland. The expansive walls were constructed of Georgetown sandstone, as solid as any ancient castle found in the Scotland of old. It required two years to complete the church, but it was finally dedicated on February 13, 1876. Later, an elaborate chancel was added to the structure. Eric Arthur in his book, “Toronto—No Mean City” stated that St. Andrew’s, as an example of the “picturesque,” had no equal in Toronto.

Here's some history on what was right across the street (home of present-day Roy Thompson Hall).

More pics on this Hannibal tumblr.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:34 PM on November 24, 2015

Best answer: It's the manse for St. Andrew's Presybyterian Church

I think that must just be the interiors? It does not appear to be the same structure, unless it's a rear entrance or something. There is a Mansard roof to the right of the photo theatro linked to, so maybe?
posted by Rock Steady at 12:55 PM on November 24, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: The tumblr says the manse is Hannibal's office (not house).

It's not the same building that OP linked. I think this is the building OP linked: Mizumono?
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:59 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The tumblr says the manse is Hannibal's office (not house).

Yup! My bad. In my defence, I'm only partway into the series right now.

unless it's a rear entrance or something

Yeah, can't be that - I'm in that area pretty frequently and that wouldn't work around back. Here's the streetview of what's around there and what it back onto.

On one of the Hannibal tumblrs I found this picture of his house that's watermarked "Private residence, no address will be listed."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:07 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: My apologies, mandolin conspiracy--I mentioned Simcoe Street in the question, which was a mistake coming from an overhasty google. Simcoe, it turns out, is indeed the location of the building portraying his office exterior, which you gave such great detail on. And I'm sure that will be useful too, so thank you on my friend's behalf!
posted by theatro at 1:15 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Update: I passed the link to this thread along to my friend, and she is delighted. This is all very helpful. Thank you, everybody!
posted by theatro at 11:09 AM on November 25, 2015 [1 favorite]