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Categories: Windsor

1989 Ontario Street

This 1925 built Tudor Revival, listed on the heritage inventroy but not designated, sold last summer. It’s one I’ve always been fond, of, but it’s usually overshadowed by it’s neighbour to the east, the Low-Martin House.

The new owners slapped a giant Lapico Renovations sign on the front lawn. [be warned if you click the Lapico link, the site is built with flash and has annoying music that loads with each page – turn off your speakers first, before cliciking]

The place has been gutted. Roof removed, and the inside reframed. Seeing as Lapico specializes in “new” homes, they along with the new owners, hopefully have the sense to restore the tudor elements, and allow it to continue to blend in with the neighbourhood.

I have heard that many people in the neighbourhood are nervous & concerned about how it will look once it’s done.

Hopefully the finished product looks like it did before, and not like a stucco clad suburban cookie cutter. We’ll definitely have to keep an eye on this one.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Andrew

View Comments

  • As small business owner in the area I am disappointed at the negative comments on this blog. I think the owner of this property deserves respect for taking on a project of this magnitude.

  • Yeah ok whatever. The negativity is posted because most of us who own heritage or turn of the century homes know you don't need to gut it to the brick work to do any refurbishment or restoration. There was a lot of original wood in that house (which I hope they saved) including doors, lead glass etc that makes that house a unique one.

    What does being a small business owner have to do with anything? Perhaps you should be upset as well because this has been slooooow as Windsorite Man point out.

    In this city the vast majority of Windsorites don't even bat an eye to the destruction of our heritage and the uniqueness of this city. Now we look like Windsor was founded in the 1960s. So forgive us for going on the offensive. We just know how this city is run and what damage has been done to it. We are skeptical at best now.

  • I can't believe the lack of hobbies people in this neighbourhood have. It's the new owner's house. They bought it, they can tear it to the ground and build a McDonald's if they want. If you so desperately want to "save" these houses, then buy them yourselves. What business is it of yours what they do with THEIR house? They seem to be putting it back together as it looked originally. How do you know why it is taking so long? The fact that you've created a blog to begin with speaks volumes to the myopic world people in this neighbourhood live in.

    So if a house goes on the market in Walkerville, I guess the neighbours should only "approve" of the new buyers through some sort of review process, just in case they may want to renovate? The sellers should not accept full price for the sale unless the new owners meet the criteria of everyone else around them in terms of desirability and restoration preference. Get a life!

  • And how is a $1,000,000 reno project going to hurt property standards, just because someone in the neighbourhood doesn't like the owner's tastes?!? It isn't even done yet! Stop sticking your nose into other people's business. Your view point isn't the only one in the world. Diversity makes the world go around.

  • No, they can't tear it to the ground and build a McDonald's if they want. From the days of Hiram Walker over a century ago, Walkerville has always been a controlled development neighbourhood. It's been like this before you were even born. If you want to suggest they have a right to tear it down to build a McDonald's, you can get the fu-ck out of Walkerville because you'll never get it.

    I wonder if you're that shady contractor rehabbing the place. Last time I saw something happen like that, it was about about a shady contractor who fired all his workers and kept collecting money each month from the owner without doing any work. A year later and after a loss of a lot of money because of the contract he signed, he had to hire another construction outfit to finish the job and he never got his money back from the original contractor. Go get a conscience, scumbag. I don't care about your dispute or your scamming of the owner. It's pissing everyone off! It needs to be boarded up and in compliance with the property standards bylaws already.

  • I'm glad you feel everyone's viewpoint counts, "Wow"/rgm. Does that include other commenters on the blog, the neighbours who are concerned about an eyesore on their street, or just yourself? Diversity is great, but that means you'll have to take your lumps too.

  • Andrew

    I was wondering, Is there any law that prevent homeowners from renovating a historic home any way they wish to ???. Can some just buy up any historic, changes the roof line, style of windows and clad the home with Grey Stucco, Etc…

    Is there any law to protect historic properties. I was just wondering ..

  • Windsorite man, unless the house is designated, no.

    The planning act allows municipalities to implement design guidelines and restrictions on materials in designated areas or neighbourhoods, but Windsor had not chosen to implement any to date.

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Andrew

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