Although rezoning and an official plan amendment was only approved last week interest in Port Dalhousies, Dalhousie House, has been vocalized by a couple of parties.
The city owned heritage building has sat idle and empty since 2001, this will soon change as the building is now zoned community commercial. The rezoning was done in an effort to form a long term plan for the hertiage site and building.
The Dalhousie House Possibilities
The sites exterior will not change as apart of it’s heritage designation and you will not see businesses like a car wash or a garage on the property. What you could see, as in what is permitted for the site ranges from a retail store to an office space, a cultural facility like a museum to a recreation facility.
Councilor Garcia is pushing to add restrictions to the list of types of uses for the building. Meaning it’s unlikely you will see the property turned into residential (apartment) building like it’s three neighbours to the right.
Commercial make-up of the area
The building overlooks Rennie Park, and to the right Martindale pond and it sits near the base of the Henley Rowing Course. The area is of mixed-use properties between hospitality, residential, retail and industry (Lincoln Fabrics across the street).
The buildings official address is 52 Lakeport Rd., and is accessible through the parking lot entrance of the Tim Hortons anchored plaza.
History of the building
The Dalhousie House served as a main building for the Muir Brothers Dry Docks. The business repaired and built the ships that sailed the Great Lakes. The business operated out of the 52 Lakeport Rd. building from 1867 to 1948, but the Muir brothers had been in business since 1850.
The building then went on to serve as a city senior’s centre for just over 25 years but, has remained empty since 2001.
Since announcing that the building will be repurposed for private commercial uses, Port Dalhousie City Councillor, Carlos Garcia says he has received two separate proposals of interest. The city has yet to release an RFP for the site, but this shows the interests developers have in working in and continuing to build with Port Dalhousie.
To read my other blogs on how Port Dalhousie is changing and redeveloping click here and here.
