Thorold is another city in the Niagara Region that has seen its fair share of restoration. With plenty of both residential and commercial infrastructure surrounding the Downtown area, Thorold has implemented a Facade Improvement Grant Program to assist and encourage commercial owners and tenants to improve/restore building facades. Programs like this one along with foreign and local investment have helped with the growth of the region through the revitalization of existing buildings.
The Keefer Mansion
One of Thorold’s most dramatic landmarks, the Keefer Mansion was in danger of being torn down a few years ago after being abandoned for some time. The mansion was originally a home to one of the communities founding families and eventually became a hospital. Today, the 130-year-old building is available for private use of the dining and lounge areas, grounds, along with four guest suites that can accommodate up to 12 persons.The Keefer Mansion was purchased by the City of Thorold for $625,000 in 2011, and then with the help of Keefer Development, was restored and transformed into the beautiful inn that it is today.
Skrtich Living
Developer Mike Skrtich saw the potential in Downtown Thorold and started purchasing buildings on Front Street and Albert Street. He’s transformed and created the new opportunity for businesses and residential dwellings and continues to invest money into projects. Some of the Skrtich Living work includes:
26-30 Albert St E – Bought in 2010, renovated in 2010-11 with a second-floor addition for 5-bedroom student rental apartment, and 3 brand new commercial units on ground floor
30 Front St S – Bought in 2011, renovated in 2011. Took an entire vacant building back to frame, full rebuild for new ground floor café, and added 14 student rental bedrooms
40-42 Front St S – Bought in 2011, renovated in 2011-12. Redid entire building, 2 new ground floor commercial units, and 2-4 bedroom student apartment units on 2nd & 3rd floors
24 Front St S – Bought in 2012, renovated in 2012. 2 new ground floor commercial units, and renovated to 5 apartments on 2nd floor
51 Front St S – Bought in 2012, renovated in 2012-13. Redid entire building, new ground floor commercial unit, and a new personal residence over 2.5 upper floors
The Old Firehall and The Post Office
Located at 12 Albert St. West and built in 1878, the long-vacant Old Firehall was refurbished and is now home to Shannon Passero’s business. The previous owner of the building and local architect, Grant Sauder, took advantage of Thorold’s facade grant to make renovations prior to the ownership change. The building still needed some work, and the most recent restoration project on the building was undertaken by local firm Silvergate Homes.
The Post Office was restored two years after the Old Firehall, also by Silvergate Homes. The original black marble was repaired, the doors were restored, and the window sills were scraped so that they could be repainted with the same original blue. The building was named co-winner of the annual Niagara Community Design Award in the adaptive re-use category.
Quebec Bank
The Quebec Bank is Canada’s second oldest bank and was Thorold’s sole banking facility from 1897-1912. The building sat vacant for several years until it was purchased in August 2009 by Cottage. The building has been recently praised by the Region for the prestigious restoration work, mainly involving the restoration of the top-storey cornices.
Cottage was one of the first people to take advantage of the facade improvement program offered by Thorold, and after multiple sales, the Quebec Bank maintains its place as one of the prime examples of restoration projects that continue to revitalize the Niagara Region.
Realizing the potential of these grand projects, my wife and I had been given an opportunity that we couldn’t refuse and I thought I’d share the great news with you all. We’ve recently acquired the Quebec Bank building and look forward to being a part of its great history as it stands as one of Thorold’s exciting restoration projects that have been taking place throughout its Downtown core.
