Clocktower Application

The Clocktower Planning Application pertains to the following buildings:

  • 178/180 Main Street
  • 184/186 Main Street
  • 188/190/192 and 194 Main Street

The above noted buildings were purchased by Main Street Clock Inc. (MSC Inc.) in 2011.

Currently, MSC Inc. is working on renovations within the existing buildings. The front of the buildings is also being restored using appropriate heritage conservation techniques. These works were approved after a development application submitted in 2013, and updated development proposal submitted in 2016, and two Ontario Municipal Board Hearings where the Town and MSC Inc. were able to reach an agreement.  

To learn more about the Clocktower Planning Application

Summary of proposed Works for the Clocktower Application

184/186 Main Street South
January 2020: The historic Simpson House will be fully reconstructed by the developer, Main Street Clock Inc. (MSC Inc.), who will also be
184/186 Main Street South
penalized $200,000, after an unauthorized demolition. MSC Inc. has accepted a stringent set of conditions imposed by the Town of Newmarket to ensure the rebuild of the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson House, at 184/186 Main Street South (Simpson House) in a heritage fashion, as well as the completion of renovations to other associated properties (188/190/192 and 194) on Main Street. 

Originally Proposed Works: This two-storey building is identified as a Historic Commercial Building in the Lower Main Street South Heritage Conservation District. The existing multi-layered siding will be carefully removed from the upper storey. Once the original siding material is exposed, final façade restoration will be determined. The District Conservation Plan indicates that the original finish was likely plaster.

188/190 Main Street South
188/190 Main Street SouthThe existing painted brick is in fair condition on this two-story Historic Commercial Building. The façade will undergo a gentle cleaning to remove the paint and brickwork will be restored, repaired and repointed as necessary depending on the condition of the brick. The original parapet, extending above the ridge of the gable roof behind, will be replicated based on historic photographs.  
194 Main Street
The removal of the metal siding revealed a number of anchors throughout the façade and missing heritage attributes such as the parapet, lug sills and cornice and pilasters on this Historic Commercial Building. The façade restoration will see the upper portion of the heritage façade rebuilt to match the façade of the building to the south and replica cornice and pilasters matching as close as possible to the original configuration above the storefront. The brickwork will be restored, repaired and repointed as necessary. The storefront will be brought forward to be in line with the upper façade.

Window and masonry restoration is based on the below principles:

Windows:
  • Restoration and re-glazing of windows 
  • Documentation of all windows 
  • Replicate existing muntin profiles and fenestration pattern
  • Documentation of all windows 
  • Replicate existing muntin profiles and fenestration pattern
  • Clean sills and lintels were soiled, stained or painted 

Masonry

  • Structural analysis of the street facade walls
  • Stabilization and restoration of masonry
  • Selective masonry cleaning
Storefront Restoration
All storefronts will be replaced with new glazing and trim ready for new occupants. The existing one storey late 20th century infill building between 190 and 194 Main Street South is noted as being neither Historic nor Complementary in the Conservation District Plan. The one storey building will have a new storefront and is proposed to have a false wall representing a second storey bringing the height up to that of the building at 194 Main Street South to keep a consistent height between the existing buildings.

(Click image to enlarge) 
Clocktower Storefront work drawing

Clocktower Application News and Updates

2020 Clocktower Updates

January 20, 2020 

The historic Simpson House will be fully reconstructed by the developer, Main Street Clock Inc. (MSC Inc.), who will also be penalized $200,000, after an unauthorized demolition. MSC Inc. has accepted a stringent set of conditions imposed by the Town of Newmarket to ensure the rebuild of the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson House, at 184/186 Main Street South (Simpson House) in a heritage fashion, as well as the completion of renovations to other associated properties (188/190/192 and 194) on Main Street. 

The conditions include:

  • A commitment that the Simpson House will be fully reconstructed by MSC Inc. in a full heritage restoration, acceptable to the Town of Newmarket. Other associated properties, (188/190/192 and 194 Main Street), that are part of the development must also be completed according to approved plans and permits. 
  • A letter of credit in the amount of $300,000 to secure the completion of the Simpson House reconstruction and completion of work on other associated properties (188/190/192 and 194 Main Street) to the Town's satisfaction and to the full satisfaction of the Chief Building Official and the Town's Heritage consultant. 
  • Penalty payment of $100,000 by MSC Inc. to the Town.
  • Withdrawal of Community Improvement Plan (CIP) funding of $100,000 by the Town that would have been provided to MSC Inc. for the entire project under the previous agreement.
  • Acknowledgement of unauthorized demolition by MSC Inc.

After the unauthorized demolition of the Simpson House by MSC Inc. in October, the Town immediately launched an investigation and issued stop work orders and compliance orders under the Building Code Act. The original scope of work and conditions for the building permits were only to conduct interior alterations to the Simpson House building. During the Town’s investigation, the developer MSC Inc. acknowledged the unauthorized demolition of the Simpson House.

MSC Inc. has provided the following statement regarding its actions:

“Main Street Clock Inc. acknowledges and regrets that the Simpson Building was taken down without proper permissions. We accept the penalties and conditions being imposed by the Town and we are committed to a full heritage rebuild and the completion of the adjacent restorations.”

For more information please view the full media release and the amended Minutes of Settlement.

2019 Clocktower Updates

October 21, 2019 

The Town of Newmarket continued its thorough investigation into the unauthorized demolition of 184/186 Main Street, part of the Main Street Clock Inc. development. Stop Work Orders remained in place on two of the buildings (184/186 and 188/190/192). In order to preserve the heritage aspects of the middle building (188/190/192) and maintain safety, the Chief Building Official authorized bracing work to proceed at this time, but the Stop Work Order remained in place. 

The remaining building (194) was previously issued an Order to Comply under the Ontario Building Code. The requirements have now been met and the Town does not have any legal grounds to stop work at this address. Construction on this building is nearing completion and it is in the best interest of the Town and Main Street for it to proceed.

October 10, 2019 

In October 2019, the Town was made aware of an unauthorized demolition of one of the buildings, the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson House located at 184/186 Main Street. This was inconsistent with the previously agreed upon Minutes of Settlement and in violation of the Building Code and the Ontario Heritage Act. The original scope of work and conditions for the building permits were only to conduct interior alterations to the building. The Town immediately issued stop work orders and compliance orders to the MSC Inc. properties on Main Street and began a thorough investigation.

Main Street Buildings Diagram

May 2019

Applications for consent and minor variance have been submitted to the Town's Committee of Adjustment.  The intent of the consent applications is to create legally, separate parcels for each building that could facilitate individual ownership.  As each newly proposed parcel would exceed the allowable Floor Space Index (FSI) permitted by the zoning by-law, minor variance applications have been submitted concurrently.   

A Committee of Adjustment for these applications was held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. 

2018 Clocktower Updates
In 2018, the Town and MSC Inc. reached an agreement (Minutes of Settlement), resolving the two outstanding OMB hearings. The new proposal consisted of renovations within the existing buildings. As part of the agreement, the front of the buildings on Main Street were to be restored using appropriate heritage conservation techniques
2016 Clocktower Updates
In 2016, the Town received an updated development proposal. This application was denied because it was not consistent with the building regulations outlined for the Heritage Conservation District. This resulted in an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The Town's Heritage Conservation District bylaw had previously been appealed to the OMB by Main Street Clock Inc. 
2013 Clocktower Updates
In 2013, MSC Inc. submitted the original application to the Town for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit a mixed use development. That year the Town passed the Heritage District Bylaw to implement the Heritage Conservation District for lower Main Street South.
2011 Clocktower Updates

In 2011, Main Street Clock Inc. purchased the Town's historic Clock Tower (178/180 Main Street) and the accompanying buildings located at 184/86, 188/190/192 and 194 Main Street.

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