Barry Rattray, Contributor

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY has always been a part, sometimes the most important part of history in general. Do you know that the history of the house is the history of mankind?

Here in Jamaica, as we continue to dramatically change and reshape our landscape through architecture, many of the houses that honoured our past, have completely disappeared - due to demolition or extensive remodelling. Sadly, they leave no reminder of themselves - it's as if they never existed!

Let us search and find out what has become of these 'Lost' houses, so that they can proudly live on in memory for generations to come.

'Abbey Court' is a multi-storeyed, well designed apartment complex located at 44 Trafalgar Road. Its developer in the early 1970s was Jamaica Property Company.

Few will remember ­ many will not ... that this same site was graced years earlier by the 'Abbey Court Hotel, and managed by one Mrs. Rowe.

Yet even fewer will recall that it was originally an elaborate family mansion on 'Millionaires Corner', as this intersection was famously known back then - competing with Devon House and others on the corner for attention.

Abbey Court was built by Louis Verley, owner of arguably the largest bakery in Jamaica during his time.

Interestingly, Devon House was slated to become an apartment development also, but survived those initial plans. Abbey Court did not. 'Lost,' but not forgotten.

Barry Rattray is an acrhitectural designer/builder