BYLAW - Heritage Designation 21 Victoria St (Whimster House) - 20230523 - 6507-23The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6507-23
Being a By-law to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or
interest (21 Victoria Street "The Whimster House").
Whereas under subsection 29(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.0. 1990, c. 0.18, as
amended, the council of a municipality may, by by-law, designate a property within the
municipality to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
And whereas on June 28, 2022, the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
(the 'lTown") approved the recommendations contained in Report No. PDS22-042, to
designate the property municipally known as 21 Victoria Street, as described on the
attached Schedule I'A" (the IIProperty") to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
And whereas the Town Clerk caused notice of the intention to designate the Property to
be served on the owner of the Property and the Ontario Heritage Trust and published in
a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality;
And whereas there were no objections to the proposed designation of the Property
served on the Town, or a person who has served a notice of objection has withdrawn
the objection;
And whereas the Council of the Town deems it necessary and expedient to enact a by-
law to designate the Property to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
Now therefore the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora hereby enacts
as follows:
1. The Property, as described on the attached Schedule IIA", be and is hereby
designated to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
2.A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the Property and
a description of the heritage attributes of the Property are set out on the attached
Schedule I'B".
3.The Town Clerk shall serve a copy of this by-law on the owner of the Property and
the Ontario Heritage Trust and publish notice of this by-law in a newspaper
having general circulation in the municipality.
4.A copy of this by-law shall be registered against the Property in the appropriate
land registry office.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 23rd day of May, 2023.
om Mrakas,Mayor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
By-law Number 6507-23 Page 2 of 4
Schedule “A”
Description of Property
All and singular those certain parcels or tracts of land and premises situate, lying and
being in the Town of Aurora, in the Regional Municipality of York, municipally known as
21 Victoria Street, and being composed of PT LT Homestead PL 68 Aurora on the corner
of Wellington Street and Victoria Street, as in R417477, being all of PIN 03651-0020 (LT),
including the primary building thereon.
By-law Number 6507-23 Page 3 of 4
Schedule “B”
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
21 Victoria Street is of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest based on its design and
physical value, historical and associative value, and contextual value.
Design and Physical Value:
The property is a representative example of a 2.5 storey Queen Anne style building. The
building was constructed circa 1892, over 130 years ago. The dwelling features an array
of features that are indicative of its period of construction and high craftmanship and
detail, including the decorative red brickwork and voussoirs, the hipped roof and
lowered gables, the particularly ornate wood bargeboard, large parlour window, bay
windows, portico, covered porch, transom, leaded glass windows, and the front
elevation second storey balcony inclusive of the rare and unique decorative lattices,
spindles, bargeboard and support columns. An article published in the Aurora Banner
dated April 15, 1892 describes the dwelling to be “…perhaps the finest residence in
Town”, which speaks to the uniqueness of the property and quality of the design and
construction.
Historical and Associative Value:
The building was constructed circa 1892 by James Whimster. James Whimster was an
early merchant in Aurora, who established a long-standing commercial business and
grocery store in the original Machell’s Corners (original name for Aurora) at 15243
Yonge Street. The “James Whimster and Company” would later expand their
commercial presence by also offering clothing and other general conveniences
throughout the early 1900s. 21 Victoria Street is uniquely tied to the history of its
successful owner and the growth of the Town as an early centre for commercial activity
and housing growth. 21 Victoria Street also received a wooden plaque from the Aurora
Heritage Committee in 1991 to recognize the uniqueness and heritage value of the
property.
Contextual Value:
The property defines, maintains and supports the historic character of the Aurora core.
The building and its proximity to Yonge and Wellington Streets provides a significant
link to the early growth that occurred in and around the early Machell’s Corners. The
building and its detailed craftmanship help tell the story of the evolution of the
community and the new dawn that was the growth of Aurora in the late 19th century.
The building can also be considered a landmark, particularly looking south down
Victoria Street, due to its height, orientation and specifically the uniqueness and detail
of the architecture.
Description of Heritage Attributes
The following provides a description of heritage attributes for the property which
contribute to the reasons for which the property is of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.
Important to the preservation of the property are the original key attributes of the
building that express its value, which include:
Exterior Elements
• Overall 2.5 storey massing constructed of red brick with a stone foundation
By-law Number 6507-23 Page 4 of 4
• All decorative brickwork, string courses, and voussoirs
• Hipped roof with two lower front/hip gables
• All decorative wood bargeboard present under the roof gables and balconies
• Front elevation two storey balcony, including all decorative lattice, spindles,
bargeboard, and support columns
• Two storey wood frame portico/balcony above the recessed front entrance
• Attic gabled former with semi-circular window
• Large parlour window at front elevation, including leaded glass
• All original window and door opening visible from the public realm, including the
rusticated stone stills and brick voussoirs
• Two storey bay windows at the north and south elevations
• Chimneys at the south and north elevations above the roofline, including all
decorative stone and chimney work