Thorold’s ongoing downtown revitalization is built on the back of small businesses, an entrepreneurial spirit and the financial support of the city and Region. It’s their investments that have allowed the community to transform and evolve.
Every revitalization effort undertaken has worked to encourage the maintenance and improvement of other buildings in the downtown leading to beautiful facades and full storefronts you see today.
To continue upon the success of the revitalization efforts, the City of Thorold is applying more smart growth principles with the development of a streetscape master plan. This master plan ensures that the new look of Thorold’s downtown buildings are supported with an attractive public realm.
Downtown Thorold streetscape master plan
Completed by GSP Group Inc. with input from a stakeholders consultation group, the streetscape master plan provides Thorold with a long term strategy for improving the public realm of the downtown. The vision for the master plan is to match Thorold’s recent revitalization efforts with improvements to the streetscape. Areas of improvement for the public realm include streetscape furnishings, pavement treatments and improvements to the Battle of Beaverdams park. This is a twenty year strategy with an overall budget topping $7.4 million. To review the master plan, click here.
Revitalization spotlight
The first facade grant was approved in 2007 for 12 Albert St. Since then, the number of revitalized buildings has risen to over 20. Below is a look at a number of downtown Thorold buildings that have been restored or revitalized.
Quebec Bank Building
Address: 28 Front St. S.
Build: 1875
Original Architect: Wm. B. Allan
Over 2008-2011, this building was restored to it’s original 2nd Empire Style designed facade. The restoration project was awarded a Niagara Community Design Award in 2012.
Old Firehall
Address: 12 Albert St. W.
Build: 1878
Original architect: John Latshaw
The old firehall underwent two facade improvements. It’s final was completed by Silvergate Homes for Shannon Passero’s first retail store and design studio.
Henderson’s Pharmacy
Address: 15 Front St. S.
Build: 1872
Originally the Maccartney Drug Store, this Thorold staple was one of the first buildings to undergo a facade improvement. The restoration of this building maintained historical integrity while adding colour and character.
51 Front St. S.
Address: 51 Front St. S.
Revitalization architect: Kevin Emrich
This project was both a restoration and revitalization project. The upper stories were returned to their historical features whereas the street level was updated to a contemporary look with unique arch entrances. This facade improvement received a Niagara Community Design Award in 2013.
If you missed last weeks blog, click here to read the gentrification of Thorold - part 1. And for more stories about the successful revitalizations of Niagara's downtowns click here.
