A popular landmark in Trinidad and Tobago

Taken from Olga J. Mavrogordato’s book Voices in the Street, first published 1977:

Boissiere’s House, 1904

“A description of the great houses on the Savannah would not be complete without mention of the charming and interesting residence of the Boissiere family at 12 Queen’s Park West. It was designed and built in 1904 by the architect Edward Bowen, a personal friend of the owner, C.E.H. Boissiere, who lived there with his family until his death. The ceilings in the drawing and dining rooms are of gesso work, done by the Italian craftsmen who did the ceilings in the Stollmeyers’ house and in the Council Chamber of the Red House. The stained glass windows, with their meandering strawberry vines, in the little study with its pagoda-like roof, filter the morning sun and cast a soft light in this cheerful room. The floor tiles in the study as well as the gallery were imported from England, and the large single-slab marble steps at the entrance came from Italy.

“Mr. Boissiere’s daughter is the present owner of this house which is one of great interest to visitors and residents alike, and perhaps is the most photographed house in town. It is now popularly referred to as the ‘Gingerbread House.’”