On-StJohn.com TV: Meet Glen Speer
Mongoose Junction has decided to advertise with us, but before we introduce you to the stores and restaurants there, we thought it would be appropriate to introduce you to Glen Speer, the architect who designed and built Mongoose Junction in 1978 and, ten years later, Mongoose II.
Glen moved to St. John in 1968, and has designed dozens of villas and buildings on the island. He is also single-handedly responsible for reviving the Danish stonework that is so prevalent in construction around the island today.
Glen met with us at his not-so-secret secret hideaway, his garden oasis and home behind Mongoose Junction.
Meet Glen Speer, below!
May 29th, 2009 05:17
Another fine video. What a delightful guy with a delightful story. Thanks!
May 29th, 2009 05:48
Wow … that was a really great interview
May 29th, 2009 05:50
that was a really great segment guys, nice work! I bet Glen has some original pictures that would be cool to look at now
May 29th, 2009 05:53
What an interesting interview with Mr. Spear… I love the center garden area of Mongoose Junction, it’s a treat to know how it was built, along with some of the other historical facts he threw in there. Great interview guys, well done!
May 29th, 2009 06:57
Great story. It is fun to connect the past with the present architectural designs. I love knowing the history of places. It makes you enjoy them more while visiting. Great interview, nice guy.
May 29th, 2009 07:11
A great interview. Jean and began our regular visits to St. John in 1967 and over the years have admired Mr. Spear’s insight and creativity as his stone/brick theme extends to various building projects around the ialand.
Bob and Jean (NH)
May 29th, 2009 07:42
This interview is typical of why I keep coming back to this site, thanks!
PS Is that big tree still around?
May 29th, 2009 07:42
What a charming man and modest man! I love the information about the bricks as ballast. Amazing how innovative islanders are in building practices.
Those orange shorts, wow!
May 29th, 2009 08:17
Very nicely done. Thanks.
Cheers,. RickG
May 29th, 2009 08:30
Best interview that you guys have done, since I have been on board.
Thank You!
May 29th, 2009 08:41
I’ve always thought Mongoose Junction was so nicely done.
Nice work, guys!
May 29th, 2009 09:22
This is my all-time favorite of the On-St. John interviews! Such interesting history and content. Thanks!
May 29th, 2009 10:12
nice interview try and catch linda smith palmer sometime when she’s on island. would be another good one.
May 29th, 2009 10:31
Wow! What a great interview. He seems like a real down to earth and great guy. I really enjoyed learning a bit more of STJ history. Thanks!
May 29th, 2009 10:46
Excellent!!!!! We need more Glen Spears in this world…
May 29th, 2009 11:59
They really do have nice bathrooms at Mongoose. I love the natural feel of the place and all of the stonework.
Wonderful interview. Thank you! I, too, am wondering whether he has some old pix of the project.
May 29th, 2009 12:24
Wonderful interview. It’s so nice to meet the folks that have helped shape the island’s economy.
May 29th, 2009 12:29
Agree – fantastic interview – best yet. Thanks.
May 29th, 2009 12:41
Giant Raintree? Yes! Cinnamon Bay Restaurant remains as Glen built it 27 years ago, and the giant raintree is bigger than ever!
Glen does have some great old photos. We’ll have to dig those out.
Just to clarify, the interview was behind our house near Mongoose Junction, with clips of Mongoose buildings and landscaping edited in. Great editing job, Russ!!! Maybe you can do something nice with the REST of the 2+ hours of interviews you took with Glen!!! Thanks guys, great job!
May 29th, 2009 13:12
That was really well done. Thank you.
May 29th, 2009 14:17
What a great history lesson. Thanks guys!
May 29th, 2009 15:28
Great interview and comment. Your best interview yet.
May 29th, 2009 15:56
I love the stonework on St. John, but I have always been amazed by the beauty of the stone work at Mongoose.
The stonework is outstanding. I always take a
picture of it every year.
Loved the interview too.
May 29th, 2009 16:36
Mr Speer gave me my first job on St John.Right after Hugo hit in 89 he had me on the peak of the roof of the restaurant cleaning and scrubbing it and working around the nearly undamaged Mongoose Junction.but with in a few days the FEMA money came into St John, I got pulled over to help build the clinic in town and never worked there again. I always wanted to know him better, he is so nice,This current Berkeley hippy enjoyed the video a lot.Best yet
May 30th, 2009 06:37
Mongoose Jn. is the most architecturally interesting shopping mall I’ve visited. And now that I know its history and role redescovering old bilding techniques, it is even more so. Good interview too. Thanks,
May 30th, 2009 06:56
Great job to everyone involved with the interview,and especially to the Speer’s ……to bad Jeff and Russ were not around to do an interview with Mr Rockefeller!
June 1st, 2009 23:40
Thank you Glen!
Has it really been 31 years????
We have pictures of the ground breaking and the first cisterns going in and that little wooden house you built for Linda’s shop while you were putting up the stone walls (later became Henry’s office).
We should put some of those photos up next.
October 20th, 2011 00:10
Hi Glen and Radha,
Loved seeing Mongoose Junction and your exquisite world in St. Johns. It’s been a long time since our La Conner days. I see echoes of Mongoose Junction in your design of Caravan.
Take good care.
Janet & Robby