Sadly, 2009 goes into the books as another banner year for demolitions.
JANUARY – PRINCE OF WALES
1918 – 2009. To be replaced with the new Engineering Building at the University of Windsor.
JANUARY – ROYALE TAVERN
c. 1920 – 2009. Replaced by a Shoppers Drug Mart.
FEBRUARY – LEAR WINDSOR
1965 – 2009. Vacant lot, possible reuse as a parking lot.
FEBRUARY – PRINCESS ANNE SCHOOL
1956 – 2009. To be rebuilt as the Dr. David Suzuki School.
FEBRUARY – 1657 PELISSIER
1920’s – 2009. Now a parking lot.
APRIL – LAKEWOOD CLUB HOUSE, TECUMSEH
1920’s – 2009. Community Park. Although could have been reused for park facilities.
APRIL – BILL HOWITT DEALERSHIP
1940’s – 2009. Future parking lot.
JULY – 330 & 321 CALIFORNIA AVE
Both houses c. 1900 – 2009. Parking lot.
SEPTEMBER – 975 OUELLETTE AVE
c. 1918 – 2009. Parking Lot.
SEPTEMBER – MONMOUTH ROAD HOUSES
c. 1920 – 2009. Expanded school yard.
OCTOBER – 304 GLENGARRY
1890 – 2009. Vacant property, along with entire city block.
NOVEMBER – SERVICE STATION + [3 HOUSES ON LINCOLN DEMOLISHED EARLIER IN 2009]
1920 – 2009. Vacant lot. Future parking.
DRIC DEMOLITIONS
Blue Bell Motel
Huron Church House
Cousineau Road House
Malden Road House
Feelgood’s Bar
HOWARD AVENUE GRADE SEPARATION DEMOLITIONS
Ferguson Glass
Dayus Roofing Complex
Bedroom Depot
Despite all the demolitions above, this place at 501 Erie, which was ordered to be demolished by August 1, 2008 still stands. Welcome to Windsor.
Hopefully 2010 is kinder, with a little less demolition. Hard to believe there was anything left to knock down in ’09.
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Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. No drinking and driving, call yourself a cab, it’s not worth it…
See you here tomorrow for a little news on what to expect in 2010 on IM.
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Ouch…….
i still can’t beleive 975 ouellette came down, nothing wrong with it as far as i know.
that’s a great tree infront of the home on cousineau.
– did anyone see the neat old fireplace inside Dayus as it was coming down? it was nice to see even if it’s fate was sealed.
– still love that old garage
– 321 california, the home where my grandpa grew up…….really not liking the “U” too much.
no D&D for me New Years….i’ll be here at work….with someone i’ve never met in my life to top it off!! but yes, everyone take care!
see you next year!
Not liking the U too much either. Tearing down all three structures…shame.
There’s still lots of old buildings around Windsor. Give the owners time, they’ll be more coming down in 2010. Maybe we’ll see stucco-lined parking lots.
I will echo Aaron’s point about 975 Ouellette. What in the hell was the reason for a parking lot there? Those houses had nothing at all wrong with them.
How much does anyone want to bet that NOTHING out of ANY of those demo’s were salvaged (except the entrance of the Prince of Wales)?
We in Windsor lament the air pollution from our neighbouring country, we even voted to have an anti-idling bylaw installed; yet we have no issue dumping tonnes of debris that includes staircases, wood trim, sinks, toilets, lead glass, doors, mantles etc into the dump. The hypocrisy is astounding in this city on all levels and on almost all things.
I have no doubt that 2010 will be the same as 2009.
Forgot to add. Andrew is right about the the Erie st boarded up building. From what I understand they have tried to get the “owner” (a POS as far as I’m concerned) to demo it but he ignores them. I believe it is tied up in litigation at this time.
If someone wants to see that eyesore go call your Ward 2 councillors and demand that at least this hazard (with a huge hole in the back of the building) be removed. I mean if they can tear down some of the above why not this one? Put the pressure on!!
Andrew
I was wondering what you would consider this 2009 Loss of the year. My Choice would be the Prince of Wales school. I always like the 3 part story on the building. I like some of the interesting architectural features and the nice wood work.
I still agree with last years choice (The Seagrave Building) for which I have been temped to send you over an updated photo of the what the property is being used for today.
CDM – I’ve seen the seagrave site, it’s not pretty. Outdoor storage, which is against the by-laws I might add… But the city is toothless to enforce their own rule, see 501 Erie above…
As for the loss of the year… I think my choice would be between the Glengarry Convenience or 975 Ouellette…
Andrew, What about 801 Ouellette? Or the Church on Dominion and Grand Maris?
Robert time flies, both of those were victims of 2008:
http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=1031
You’re right! (about those buildings)… time does fly!
Great documentation as always Andrew! Sad that the last two years have been detrimental to the architectural state of Windsor 🙁
There was at least one more demolished on California just a couple of months back.
Andrew, thank you for another year hosting this marvelous site. Also, thank you for the streetcar display at the AGW!! Happy New Year!!
To Aaron:
I worked in the Dayus Building (in the insurance office) and we – with the permission of the Dayus family, of course – salvaged what we could from the office before it was torn down. This included two solid wood interior doors with hardware attached, light switch/electrical plug covers made of metal, not plastic, and a large decorative panel that hung over the fireplace that is made up of several different types of wood (leftover from when the building was a lumber yard). If there had been any way for us to salvage the fireplace mantel and surrounding wood paneling, we would have; it was just too complex a tear out job for the small number of us to do ourselves. It’s a shame, because that tongue-and-groove paneling would have looked awesome in our Walkerville house.
well Jennifer, you saved more of that building then most can claim out of demo’s around this city. it’s nice to know at least some things were removed and will be put to good use, and in Walkerville no less. Some where where heritage matters.
Thanks Jennifer!
thanks for the recap Andrew. Mostly a waste eh ! The Howard Ave. grade separation area astounded me. while one can admit the bypass road is well done, I kept thinking McDougall could have done just as well and those buildings would still be there. No one asked me though !!
Smile and Happy New Year.
Oh yes, perhaps some demolitions will happen in Sandwich towne soon.
Too bad we’re starting off the New Year with oil prices once again climbing above $80 a barrel. For those of you waiting with baited breath for Chrysler and GM to come back from the dead, better come up with a new game plan for Windsor.
Any picks for loss of the decade??
Certainly the Norwich Block would be a candidate for that dubious honour, Randolph. Was it not torn down in 2000 ?
Hopefully the next mayor and council Windsor gets will have a little more compassion for the heritage buildings left in windsor however few they are
isn’t it funny how the city has no quams about knocking down old heritage buildings thru out the city but they let these old industrial area’s sit abandoned for years i think it brings down property values look at the mess on indian road