Historic Wellington Crescent home demolished

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This article was published 24/11/2020 (1449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The wrecker’s ball has taken down a Wellington Crescent mansion at the centre of debate between Winnipeg developers, city council and heritage advocates.

Dust filled the air outside the manor at 514 Wellington Cres. Wednesday morning, as several area residents took photos and videos of crews taking apart the home with excavating tractors. They spoke about how upset they were to see it being torn down after years of trying to save it.

After stopping the demolition last year to review its nomination for heritage conservation, the City of Winnipeg notified property owners on Tuesday that it was lifting a stop-work order. A spokesperson confirmed the property had met conditions listed in heritage bylaws that allow for demolition.

In a statement to the Free Press, the city said it “regrets the loss of this community landmark and will be looking to work with the owner to determine if any key elements and materials can be salvaged.

“While the property does embody heritage values of the proposed (heritage district),” a spokesperson said, “It also represents an unsafe condition such that delaying demolition of the building represents a risk of harm to the health or safety of persons or property; and refusing to issue the demolition permit, or failing to lift the suspension of the existing demolition permit, would cause undue prejudice to the owner.”

The home was purchased in 2015 for roughly $1.25 million.

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.

Christine Skene, an organizer for advocacy group Save 514 Wellington, said she feels “appalled at the idea of someone tearing down this grand place for a little bit of money.”

Usually, demolitions must take place within 30 days of the permit being issued, but city officials and property owners can agree on an extension.

Workers at the scene, who did not wish to be named, could not reveal plans for the property. Jeff Thompson, the Winnipeg businessman whose numbered company owns the home, could not be reached for comment.

In 2016, Thompson told city council he planned to turn the space into a condominium complex. While the property is zoned for a single-family residence, it remains unclear if Thompson will go ahead with his plans.

As of Wednesday, there hadn’t been any action on the court file for 514 Wellington Cres. since the filing of some affidavits in March, the Free Press confirmed.

A city spokesperson said the zoning designation does not allow for the development of a “multi-family dwelling,” such as a condo building. Should Thompson wish to do so, his development company must submit a rezoning application and be subject to a public hearing, city committee review and approval from council.

The city’s historical buildings and resources committee has recommended a heritage conservation district plan be prepared for the neighbourhood in Crescentwood.

The designation could require demolitions, new builds, front-yard lot changes and proposed subdivisions to be subject to a special heritage permit process. Since council had not approved that recommendation, however, the demolition of 514 Wellington Cres. went ahead.

“I’m incredibly disappointed with what’s happened here,” said Skene. “I’m just hoping we can save the rest of the neighbourhood now.”

Twitter: @temurdur

Temur.Durrani@freepress.mb.ca