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A Cautionary Tale

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The former Montreal House at the northeast corner of King and Aylmer The building is at least 150 years old. It appears in historic photos and is depicted on historic maps. The structure itself, however, has now been declared simply, “Old” and will be removed from Peterborough’s Heritage Register. The plan is to demolish it and build affordable housing. Personally, this building has never been one of my favorites. It seemed a seedy, scary place in my childhood. And yet, it’s fate is particularly worrisome now that the Toronto real estate boom has thoroughly engulfed Peterborough. When I first heard about the plans, I felt pain at the usual short-sighted cries of progress. I’m the first to agree that Peterborough, like many cities, is in dire need of affordable housing. But that doesn’t mean you have to demolish historic buildings to create the space. Peterborough has several weedy vacant downtown lots, and plenty of space farther afield. The plans here are to integra
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The Carriage Estate

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William Metheral owned a substantial portion of land at the southeast corner of Aylmer and Murray Streets. Over several decades, the Metheral family expanded along with their business, and the four buildings they erected have all survived into the 21st century. In my research, I have often come across this type of progressive Victorian family land holding. I know of several other examples in Peterborough; it’s a common North American model. The patriarch purchased or received a grant of a generous parcel of land. On it they established their homestead and business. The family grew, and the sons helped build the business, which prospered along with the growing community. They built a slightly larger home. The adult sons, in turn, built prestige property; larger, more luxurious, status type dwellings on the land of the family compound. In this case, two of William Metheral’s sons each lived in one of the units, and the two other homes were rented out, generating additional income.
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Brock Street Mansion Reno

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Looking good after lots of external work this year! Before...
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Brock St. Mansions Update

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220 is getting the brick painting treatment.  So awesome this house is being fixed up at last!
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Walking Weller - Part 3

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This lovely gothic style home was built c. 1887, about twenty years older than I thought.  It was originally a caretakers lodge for the George A. Cox estate, and was sold to William Morrow after Cox's death.  The gorgeous barge board trim is original.
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Mansard Mansion Updates

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Front porches updated on two properties.  Positive changes occurring slowly but surely. Brock Street:
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Brick Works

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Yet another house on a hill turned away from the street to face the view is the Robert Kingan House, built c. 1863.  Directly across Brock Street from Hutchison House, this beauty is currently getting a face lift.  Several months ago, a massive addition on the back was torn down in a matter of one day.  In the past few weeks, the original look of the brickwork has been being restored by a company called  The Brick Painters. I've watched them perform their magic on a few other properties in town, and they do a phenomenal job.  This is not the usual sandblasting but instead a method of faux finish that restores the appearance of the brick without risking potential damage from common cleaning methods.  You can't tell these bricks are painted!  The whole house used to be that awful yellow you can still see on the back where the addition was removed.  Just look at it now!  I also love the look of the new entrance porch; contemporary Arts & Crafts Revival.
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