Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Aviation pioneer Robert Engle has put his estate up for sale, looking for an owner who will appreciate the home's history.

Peeking over the rocks by the Frame Lake Trail on Albatross Court, the home has features and artwork commemorating the history of the city, among other things.

"It's partially estate, partially museum, and partially residential," said Engle, who now spends most of his time between his residences in Palm Springs, California and Vancouver, B.C.

The first part of the estate was built by William Morrow, the second chief justice of the NWT in 1978.

Engle and Morrow were long-time friends and had bought two adjoining lots by Frame Lake.

At the time, Engle hadn't built anything there himself.

"Being single and very busy, I was living in various accommodations like many Yellowknife pioneers then," said Engle.

Engle was busy starting up and operating Northwest Territorial Airways, which he sold to Air Canada in 1988 and which was subsequently sold to First Air.

Engle bought the estate from Morrow in 1981 and made a few additions, including an office and a sunroom.

The additions were designed by architect H.J. Richards, who also designed the hangars at the Yellowknife airport now owned by First Air.

Inside the estate is evidence of Engle's connection to the North.

Original artwork covers the walls of the brightly-lit home, including a tapestry from Pangnirtung woven from muskox wool.

Prints and paintings from Northern artists such as Graeme Shaw and Bern Will Brown fill the walls, most of which will be handed over to the new owners after the property is sold.

Engle has played host to several well-known guests at his house. During a 1994 royal visit, Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Governor-General Ray Hnatyshyn, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth all attended a state banquet held at the home.

Former Prime Minister John Turner and billionaire Arthur Irving have also stayed there several times.

The house has been valued at $2.6 million for insurance purposes, but Engle is more concerned about the kind of person who will buy the house rather than who is the highest bidder.

"It's been my desire it could be the residence of a commissioner or a governor- general," said Engle. He plans on waiting for a good owner before selling the house.

"The house is listed as available, but it is not being pushed. It's open to whoever wishes to bid on it."