Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [ca. 1900-1984], predominant 1980-1984 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
25 cm of textual records. -- ca. 7 plans and posters
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Christopher Maier, 1939-, was born in a German community in the Ukraine and from 1945 to 1950 lived in West Germany. His family moved to Chile in 1950. He came to Calgary, Alberta in 1958 and in 1965 opened a furniture, upholstery and drapery business with his father called Calgary Furniture and Upholstery Ltd. From 1973 until 1982 he owned and operated Christopher Maier Interiors Ltd. in Calgary, then moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where he managed C.D.S. Trading Ltd. and later Interdesigns Furnishings Ltd. He also operated the Flaming Sombrero Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
During his years in Calgary he was particularly well-known for his redevelopment of the Devenish Apartments into the Devenish Design Centre. Oscar Grant Devenish, 1867-1951, was born in Indiana, USA and spent time in Washington state before coming to Calgary in 1902. He was involved in real estate and the petroleum industry, and built the Devenish Apartments in 1911. He lived in Texas from about 1914 to 1920 but remained in Calgary for the rest of his life. He married Lena Menkel, ?-1948, about 1894 and they had two daughters, Gwendolyn (Konigmacher), 1895-1982, and Olive (Riddle).
Repository
Archival history
The Devenish family material was held by Gwen Konigmacher and Olive Riddle until they turned it over to Christopher Maier in 1980.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Christopher Maier, 1999.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of records regarding the redevelopment of the Devenish, as well as photographs and real estate records from the Devenish family.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
No finding aid.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.