Notice of Intention to Designate a Property of Cultural Heritage Value: “Mansion House Hotel”
The Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville intends to designate 6162 Main Street, in the community of Stouffville, under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, as being a property of cultural heritage value at the Council meeting held on March 6, 2024 at 1pm.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value
The property known municipally as 6162 Main Street is located at the corner of Main Street and Edward Street, immediately west of the railway line and Stouffville GO Station. The property contains a two-and-a-half storey mixed-use building and adjacent parking area. The property’s heritage designation is reserved to the exterior of the heritage resource. The property located at 6162 Main Street has cultural heritage value as a former hotel building and well-known local landmark. Known as the Mansion House Hotel, the structure was built in 1879-1880 for Elijah Miller and for decades served travellers arriving in Stouffville with accommodations, capitalizing on its location directly adjacent to the local train station. The hotel was built in the Second Empire architecture style, anchoring the corner of Main and Edward Streets with its characteristic mansard roof, prominent dormers, and tall, paired windows. The Mansion House Hotel is a symbol of an era of growth and prosperity in Stouffville’s history. It was built during the late 19th century building boom, which resulted from the completion of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway in 1871 and the Lake Simcoe Junction Railway in 1877, connecting Stouffville to Toronto, Uxbridge, and Lake Simcoe. It is visually and historically connected to the downtown train station and the former railway-industrial precinct where multiple industrial buildings were once located. Historically, the hotel functioned as a social hub for the community, hosting galas, parties, and other local events. Within Stouffville, the Mansion House Hotel is known as an iconic landmark within the downtown. This local identity has been revived through its 2021 restoration.
Description of Cultural Heritage Attributes
The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the design and physical value of the property at 6162 Main Street:
- Second Empire architectural design;
- Brick construction on all four elevations;
- Mansard roof profile;
- Slate roof material with decorative floral band;
- Brick stringcourse running between first and second floors;
- Copper-faced roof dormers;
- All windows and window openings throughout;
- Decorative hood molds and voussoirs over windows and doors; and,
- Wooden cornice and soffit with decorative, paired roof brackets.
The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the contextual value of the property at 6162 Main Street:
- Location at the corner of Edward and Main Streets;
- Two-and-a-half storey massing and building profile; and,
- Relationship of the hotel to the adjacent train station and railway.
Written Notice of Objection
Any person may, within 30 days after the date of the publication of the Notice, serve written notice of their objections to the proposed designation, together with a statement for the objection and relevant facts.
Dated at Whitchurch-Stouffville, this 5th day of January 2024.
Becky Jamieson, Town Clerk
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Stouffville, Ontario
CONTACT
Trevor Alkema, Heritage Planner I, Development Services
Phone: (905) 640-1900 ext. 2299
E-mail: trevor.alkema@townofws.ca