Neighbours protest possible demolition of historic mansion By: Ryan Thorpe Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2019 Last Modified: 11:03 AM CDT Monday, Jun. 10, 2019 Updates

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This article was published 03/06/2019 (2033 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Residents of Winnipeg’s Crescentwood neighbourhood are sounding the alarm that a stately, historic mansion may soon crumble beneath the blows of a demolition wrecking ball, possibly to make way for a condominium complex.

The home, located at 514 Wellington Cres., has been the site of a protracted battle between Jeff Thompson, whose numbered company owns the property, and area residents desperate to save it. Thompson is a prominent local businessman who purchased the property for roughly $1.25 million in April 2015.

Built in 1909 and known as the Gordon Residence, the 8,000-square-foot mansion has been home to numerous prominent Winnipeggers over the years, including former Free Press owner-publisher Victor Sifton and former senator Douglas Everett.

Heritage Winnipeg executive director Cindy Tugwell said for decades the home was protected from demolition, but that changed in 2014 when the city revised its heritage bylaws.

“For 40 years the city recognized this home as having immense historical significance, but now it has no official protection from demolition. We have repeatedly challenged the city to explain this change. To date, Heritage Winnipeg has never received an official response,” Tugwell said.

Whether the building had protection would be a secondary concern to area residents if the current owner was committed to saving it. However, in 2016, Thompson revealed his intention to demolish the home and erect a condominium building in its place.

Those plans did not materialize and to this day the property remains zoned for a single family residence.

But the City of Winnipeg confirmed Tuesday that Thompson’s company applied for demolition and building permits earlier this year. The permits were approved and issued April 25.

Typically, demolitions must take place within 30 days of the permit being issued, although it’s possible for city officials and the property owners to agree on an extension.

It remains unclear if an extension has been granted in this case. There is currently a movie being filmed at the property, which has led area residents to suspect the demolition will begin after the shoot wraps.

The residents first learned of the newly-issued permits — which grant permission to tear down the building and build a two-storey, 3,500 square-feet home in its place — last week.

‘For 40 years the city recognized this home as having immense historical significance, but now it has no official protection from demolition. We have repeatedly challenged the city to explain this change. To date, Heritage Winnipeg has never received an official response’
– Heritage Winnipeg executive director Cindy Tugwell

Christine Skene, a spokeswoman for the area residents who’ve banded together to save the property, said they’re not convinced Thompson has shelved plans for a condo development at the location.

Skene and other neighbours are concerned that once the building is knocked down, the company will try again to get the property rezoned for a multi-family development—something area residents are overwhelmingly opposed to.

“Our first request would be for it to stay single family. But if that absolutely can’t happen, then we would consider giving approval to converting the existing building into a three or four unit condo. The key thing is the building has to stay,” Skene said.

“That building in that spot is what we want, to say nothing of the garden and the trees. It’s a very unique property in a fragile neighbourhood that should be protected. It’s history, it means so much more than just a house. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

The Free Press spoke with Thompson Tuesday afternoon. He declined to answer any questions posed to him and accused the reporter of trying to “stir things up for a story.”

Since the initial plans to demolish the building came to light in 2016, area residents started a petition called “Save 514 Wellington” that remains open and active. To date, more than 4,400 people have signed.

Once the opposition to Thompson’s plans from area residents became known, Skene said they found buyers — who were committed to maintaining the home — willing to purchase the property from Thompson for the same price he paid.

That offer was declined, Skene said.

“He’s been telling everyone the building is trashed inside and the truth is it’s not. They wouldn’t be renting it out for movie shoots if it was. The building is beautiful inside, it’s minty. It doesn’t need to come down,” Skene said.

“We have been meeting as a community. We’re in the process of trying to contact everyone we can to get this stopped, whether it be legal action, public demonstration, whatever. This would be a huge loss for our city.

“The group is outraged. We’re mobilizing. We’ve got all kinds of things we’re trying to do to get the word out.”

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe

Ryan Thorpe
Reporter

Ryan Thorpe likes the pace of daily news, the feeling of a broadsheet in his hands and the stress of never-ending deadlines hanging over his head.

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