Donegana 's Hotel , previously known as Bingham House , stood on the north-west corner of Notre-Dame Street and Bonsecours Street , a block away from Bonsecours Market in the Old Montreal district of Montreal , Quebec . Originally built as a private residence in 1821 , the house served as the vice-regal residence of the Governors General of Canada from 1837 until 1843 . From 1843 to 1846 it briefly housed the High School of Montreal , before the school built its own premises . The building was then bought by Jean-Marie Donegana , who enlarged it to become the largest hotel in the British Colonies . It became famous across Europe and North America , where its reputation was only equal to , if not exceeding , that of New York 's Astor House . Donegana 's was burnt down in the Montreal Riots of 1849
Montreal Riots of 1849
Burning of the Parliament Buildings in Montreal
Donegana's Hotel