BYLAW - Heritage Designation 55 Metcalfe St (Bowman House) - 20230523 - 6514-23The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6514-23
Being a By-law to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or
interest (55 Metcalfe Street 'lThe Bowman 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 IlTown") approved the recommendations contained in Report No. PDS22-042, to
designate the property municipally known as 55 Metcalfe Street, as described on the
attached Schedule IIA" (the "Property") 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served on the Town, or a person who has served a notice of objection has withdrawn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 l'A", 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 IIB".
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.
/Tom Mrakas, Mayor
AN
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
By-law Number 6514-23 Page 2 of 3
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
55 Metcalfe Street, and being composed of Part Lot 8 S/S Metcalf Street Plan 68 Aurora
as in R451156 except R608020, being all of PIN 03648-0108 (LT), including the primary
building thereon.
By-law Number 6514-23 Page 3 of 3
Schedule “B”
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
55 Metcalfe 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 1.5 storey brick dwelling constructed in
the Gothic Revival Cottage architectural style. The dwelling includes features indicative
of its period of construction and high craftmanship and detail, including the side gabled
roof and steeply pitched front elevation gable, the ornate front entrance and
porch/verandah and original window openings and trim details. The building is a very
early representative example of the architectural style, particularly as a corner lot with
significant views from the public realm.
Historical and Associative Value:
The building was constructed circa 1875, over approximately 145 years ago. The
building was originally constructed by George Harrison, who owned a local sawmill and
lumber business. The property derives its name from the members of the Bowman
family who owned the property from 1929 to 2019, for 90 consecutive years. Merle B.
Bowman was married to Hugh A. Bowman, who was an insurance agent by trade and
also served as Town Councillor in 1933. The property helps contribute to our
understanding of the development of the Town post Confederation, and is also directly
associated with a significant family.
Contextual Value:
The property defines, maintains and supports the historic character of the Southeast
Old Aurora neighbourhood. In particular, the building orientation as a corner lot at the
intersection of Wells Street and Metcalfe Street, and also directly across from the
historic Town Park, make the property significantly linked to its surroundings. Again due
to the corner orientation the property has a significant view from the public realm and
can be considered a landmark.
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 1.5 storey brick construction with side gabled roof and steeply pitched
front elevation gable
• Original window opening within the front elevation gable
• Original window openings at the first and second storey at the east and north
elevations which are visible from the public realm