Municipal council votes in favour of new commercial extension on Maison Samuel-Stewart at 774 Chemin Aylmer. Construction set to start in 2023.
Greg Newing
A new extension on Maison Samuel-Stewart, one of Aylmer’s oldest heritage homes, was recently approved by the municipal council. The project involves demolishing and rebuilding the extension at the back of the home located at 774 chemin d’Aylmer in order to repurpose it for commercial use and to restore and renovate the original home.
The planned development follows an earlier decision by the city’s demolitions committee (Comité sur les demandes de démolition (CDD) in June to demolish the home’s back extension. While the whole building is listed as a heritage property of strong value, the front part of the home was built in 1880 while the extension was built more recently in 1990.
The new extension will be a three-story contemporary style commercial property with a dentist’s office at the top level. The other two floors will be used for either business or other professional services. The project includes an additional 61 parking spaces and planting of 27 new trees (8 of the existing trees on the property will be retained).
The original 1880 home will remain unchanged but will be renovated for longevity with the help of heritage experts and two additional low walls will be built in front to frame the home (see photo). The building’s project manager explained that while the home may also be used for commercial purposes, it will be open to the public insofar as residents will be able to see inside when they enter the new extension via its front entrance.
Gatineau’s Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Service (Le service de l'urbanisme et du développement durable), Urban Planning Committee (Comité consultatif d'urbanisme) and Local Heritage Council (Conseil local du patrimoine) did not consider the newly proposed extension to blend with the architecture of the original building and issued unfavourable recommendations to the Municipal Council.
However, the Council ultimately approved the project at its November 15 meeting with a vote of 14 to 5.
Councillor for the Mitigomijokan district Anik des Marais, described the project as a much-needed revitalization of the property which fits well with the other buildings in the neighbourhood and blends modern architecture with original 19th century style of the home. She noted that the local resident’s association, the Association des résidents du quartier Connaught, were also in support of the proposed extension.
While an exact timeline for the project is yet to be determined, construction is set to begin in 2023.
Photo caption: Architect’s concept for the proposed three-storey extension behind Maison Samuel-Stewart at 774 Chemin d’Aylmer. Photo credit: BBL Construction.
