Dundas Masonic Lodge listed for sale at $1.59-million
Sale of the 147-year-old Dundas Masonic Lodge building at 3 Main St. could provide an opportunity for the significant, but undesignated historic building to be improved, according to a local heritage consultant.
The building's sale may also provide for new housing in an existing structure, without impacts of new construction.
Ann Gillespie, former City of Hamilton heritage planner and current consultant, said the original facade has been altered since 1875.
However, the right buyer with the interest and resources to undertake some major facade restoration work could bring it back to, or close to, its original appearance," Gillespie said. This building is a very good example of the Italianate style popular in the 1870s and 80s."
Though not designated, the property is listed in the city's heritage inventory of buildings of interest.
The Masons listed the 4,976-square-foot building, located between Thirsty Cactus and apartments operated by Dundas Valley Co-operative Housing Association, with a $1,599,700 asking price.
A lodge press release stated after 146 years in the building, Valley Lodge is relocating to Dufferin Lodge in Greensville while searching for a new location.
According to the release, two years of pandemic lockdowns put a damper on fundraising and combined with declining membership resulted in the decision to sell.
Realtor and lodge member Craig Knapman said plans for the building rest with whoever buys it.
Ideally the members would prefer to see as much of the character as possible of the building preserved with a use that complements the historic downtown of Dundas," Knapman said.
He said offers were to be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, June 10, for review over the weekend and response by Monday, June 13.
Knapman said there were showings to potential buyers last Friday, Monday and Tuesday, averaging four hours each day. Lots of interest and lots of great ideas from potential buyers who are mostly local people with experience," he said.
Gillespie said it would be great to see the storefront restored for commercial business.
She said options for the building's large main floor banquet, and second floor meeting halls could include space for events, public meetings or performances such as concerts, theatre and film, a dance or music studio or a restaurant. Ceiling heights range from approximately 12 to 17 feet.
It would be advantageous to meet with the new owner to find out (their) plans for the building, advise of its current and potential heritage status, offer some ideas ... if no firm plan has been devised," Gillespie said. She said she'll bring the property to the attention of Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee's inventory and research working group.
The building is zoned mixed use medium density, which permits a variety of ground floor commercial and upper-storey residential uses.
These areas provide the greatest opportunity for future intensification and evolution to more mixed communities with a variety of land uses, with a particular focus on residential uses," the city's website states.
City planning staff have not received any applications or proposals.
The building was constructed in 1875 as a law office for Britton B. Osler, brother of doctor Sir William Osler, according to a 1994 Dundas heritage inventory report. That assessment stated the structure was important in maintaining streetscape continuity.
Masons occupied one of the four units in 1876. By 1881 they occupied the entire second floor," the inventory report stated, adding it was also known as the Osler Block."
According to Valley Lodge's press release, the second floor was purpose-built as a lodge and the ground floor at one time housed the Desjardins Canal Co. offices.
Henry F. Powell, himself a member of the lodge, acquired the building in 1886 and the lodge remained as a tenant, until finally purchasing the building from Powell & Co. in 1945 for $10,000," the release states.
STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We wanted to learn about plans to sell historic Valley Lodge.