John M. Lyle: Toward a Canadian Architecture

John Lyle (1872-1945) is considered one of Canada's most important and influential architects. He was one of the first design professionals in Canada to advocate for a Canadian decorative approach, opposing the typical European stylistic imitation of the era. One of Lyle's last major buildings was the main branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in uptown Saint John, facing King's Square, which opened in 1939. Lyle also designed the Bank of Nova Scotia's 1920 Georgian Revival branch in St. Andrews.