BYLAW - Heritage Designation 73 Wellington St E (Ashton House) - 20230523 - 6518-23The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6518-23
Being a By-law to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or
interest (73 Wellington Street East 'lThe Ashton 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 "Town") approved the recommendations contained in Report No. PDS22-042, to
designate the property municipally known as 73 Wellington Street East, as described on
the attached Schedule "A" (the IlProperty") 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served on the Town, or a person who has served a notice of objection has withdrawn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 I'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 "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.
//T Mrakas,
Ai[
Mayor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
By-law Number 6518-23 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
73 Wellington Street East, and being composed of LT 8 S/S Wellington St PL 68 Aurora,
being all of PIN 03650-0007 (LT), including the primary building thereon.
By-law Number 6518-23 Page 3 of 4
Schedule “B”
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
73 Wellington Street East 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 dwelling constructed in the Gothic Revival
architectural style. Architectural details indicative of the style include the dichromatic
brick, quoins, steeply pitched dormer gables and lancet window openings, which are
features that also display a high degree of craftmanship and detail as part of enhancing
the local streetscape. The building is a very well preserved and unique example of the
style, particularly within the context of the Wellington Street East area.
Historical and Associative Value:
The building was constructed circa 1884, over 135 years ago and prior to the
incorporation of the Town of Aurora. The property was originally purchased in 1874 by
Seth Ashton, who was a prominent local businessman and municipal politician, who
served as Councillor on the first Aurora Village Council in 1863, and also served several
times as a Reeve. The property is also associated with Thomas Scrivener, who was the
Town’s sole veterinarian at the beginning of the 20th century. The building is also further
associated with the Lorne family, who operated a dairy business on the property
between 1927 and 1944. The property has significant associations with the growth of
the Town and is tied to a number of prominent local figures. The property was also
recognized with and displays a heritage plaque that was granted in 1993.
Contextual Value:
The property defines, maintains and supports the historic character of the Aurora core
in particular along Wellington Street East. The building provides a significant link to the
early growth and development of the village area and its early history, specifically in
relation to growth that occurred in and around the early commercial and residential
centre of Yonge and Wellington Streets (Machell’s Corners). The building and its Gothic
Revival style help tell the story of the evolution of the community, and it is in proximity
to a number of other designated and listed heritage resources as an important part in
supporting the character of the area.
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 massing
• Dichromatic red and buff/yellow brick with an asymmetrical 2-bay façade
• Steeply pitched paired gables at the front elevation
By-law Number 6518-23 Page 4 of 4
• Lancet window openings at the second storey with steeply pitched gables
including the window sills and buff brick voussoirs
• Buff brick quoins at the front elevation
• All original window and door openings
• Front entrance location and wood framed opening with sidelights and transom