York Developments proposes to construct a at the southeast corner of St. George and Ann Streets. The building, in the shape of an H, would be as high as 22 storeys at its east end and cater mainly to students. The ground floor would contain commercial space and, supposedly, a craft brewery.
There are many reasons not to build here, as indicated by City Planning Department:
1. The development does not conform to the 1989 Official Plan.
2.The development does not conform to the 2016 London Plan, due to the proposed density on the site.
3.The development is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement of 2020 which promotes intensification and redevelopment in appropriate locations while conserving heritage resources.
4.The development is near a rail corridor (the CPR) and does not have enough mitigating measures to protect against a possible train derailment, let alone everyday annoyances such as noise and vibrations. York has suggested a crash wall would be integrated into the building design ... somewhere.
5.The development would mean the demolition or removal of structures on the city's heritage inventory.
Let's take a closer look at the more important buildings on the site:
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| March 2021 |
197 Ann Street, the Kent Brewery, is on the city's register of Cultural Heritage Resources. One of the first breweries in London, it was built and originally operated by Marshall and Hammond. Later it was operated by John Hamilton from 1861 to 1887 and his son Joseph from 1887 to 1916 when it closed due to Prohibition. One of the oldest brewery buildings in Canada, it's also one of the oldest industrial structures in the neighbourhood. By the way, it was named after Kent, England, from where the brewery imported its hops.* Cool, eh?
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| March 2021 |
183 Ann Street, the Queen Anne style house next door, was the brewer's residence, making this a rare example of an early brewing site where both the brewery and the brewer's home remain. (The only other example in Canada is apparently Alexander Keith's in Halifax.) Yes, the Labatt and Carling families lived next to their breweries but those homes are gone. This house was built by Joseph Hamilton in 1893, replacing an earlier frame building on the site in which his father lived and died. This beautiful brick home is an indication of the brewery's success.
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| March 2021 |
Tiny 179 Ann Street, also a Hamilton family home, is the next building to the west. Built before 1881, it was home to Joseph Hamilton from 1887 to 1890. A typical late 19th-century worker's cottage, it features a bay window on the east side.
Ann and St. George is not an HCD. And, as I've mentioned before, London City Council has been known to vote against Planning Department's recommendations. The City often touts the official plan but doesn't follow its rules. So the developer might be asked to merely retain facades. Or be given the go ahead to move the structures. Or to demolish them completely.
But the structures don't appear in poor condition and still have apartments. Undoubtedly, 197 and 183 should be designated. They might be moved, but shouldn't be moved far, since they're still on their original site. And 197 might make a great craft brewery again, being a short distance from Richmond Row, Party Central.
The preliminaries, including possible designation, begin tonight, April 25, when Planning and Environment Committee meets. Stay tuned.
Update, April 26: Last evening PEC voted to grant a heritage designation to the former brewery buildings. And York Developments offered to relocate at least the main brewery building itself.
According to this, two PEC councilors don't think heritage counts for much. Surprise. In the end, the committee voted to send York's application back to city staff. But the designation does mean York Developments will have to try harder to incorporate the buildings into their plans.
Update, April 30, 2025: York has requested demolition of the buildings from 175 to 197 Ann Street and 84-86 St. George Street. To do this, they have appealed the designation to the Ontario Land Tribunal. There will be a Public Participation meeting about this site at City Hall on May 21.
Update, May 20, 2025: York has decided these six buildings mean absolutely nothing but they can satisfy the heritage buffs by saving a few light fixtures, wooden windows and doors, etc., and incorporating them into the whatever they build on the site. Some questions:
1. Exactly how stupid do they think we are? Heritage conservationists can tell the difference between real old buildings and crap that incorporates a few bits and pieces saved from what was there before.
2. What's the point in a heritage designation if any developer can come along and ask for an exception?
3. What is the matter with London anyway? Why can't Council demand a creative way to incorporate the old buildings into whatever York builds on the spot?
Update, May 22, 2025: Not surprisingly, Planning Committee voted 4-1 to allow demolition via a "heritage alteration permit" which basically translates to "knock it down but save a few bits to make it look like we care about that silly heritage thing." Mayor Morgan, and Councillors Lehman, Cuddy, and Hillier voted in favour. Councillor Peloza opposed. Lewis absent. Remember this next election.
Update, June 6, 2025: Council has voted to demolish.
Just found this description that appeared in the March 5, 1861 London Prototype and Daily Western Advocate, reproduced as a Western Ontario History Nugget (No. 13) in 1947. Note the inclusion of a previously unmentioned partnership:
"Dundas and Philips, proprietors, Ann street, off Richmond street; formerly the firm of Marshall and Hammond. The brewery has been very successful since its establishment, and there are enlargements and additions being constantly made to it. With the present spirited proprietors, and the large demand for brown stout and amber ale, we have every reason to believe that the Kent Brewery will steadily and successfully progress. Private families and hotel keepers are supplied with the best ales and porter, at the shortest notice, and upon the most reasonable terms."
Good-bye, Kent Brewery.
* For more information on this and other local breweries, see Glen C. Phillips, On Tap: The Odyssey of Beer and Brewing in Victorian London-Middlesex. Sarnia: Cheshire Cat Press, 2000.
