No (Sm)HoKing Allowed

This property & the one next door date back to 1856 when the street was known as Oxford St. The building next door (which was completely inaccessible when we went) was constructed in the Italianate style. According to the city's Heritage Committee, it was known as the [i]Mrs. E. Bellhouse Residence.[/i]

Prior to the building being used for apartments and a restaurant, it housed the [i]Monarch Candy Co.[/i] & [i]Brittain’s Valley Farm Dairy[/i], which at one time was one of the largest dairies in the city. The current structure was built in 1947 in the Hip Roof style of architecture, and was constructed when the dairy closed & the building was demolished.

Plans have been proposed for redevelopment as a dine-in restaurant with a patio, as well as new apartments or entertainment facilities. However, to date nothing has come to fruition, & it's likely the building will either be demolished at some point, or just left to decay.

The city's Heritage Committee had looked at preserving the site, but it was determined that no unique or qualifying architectural properties existed to deem it of historic value. Nor has the site been determined to be of local, provincial, national or international importance.

Only one apartment was accessible when we went, & I couldn't get into the restaurant on the ground floor. Hopefully a POE will open before the building is demoed as the restaurant is still fairly intact inside.The heating in the apartments is very archaic, with old oil-filled radiators providing the only source of heat & hot water. The bathroom was very cramped, and the kitchen was definitely showing its age.

Caution is advised when visiting this location, as it is on a busy road. Enjoy!!