Developer’s pitch for Auchmar land leaves heritage buffs uneasy

Heritage advocates are grumbling about proposed plans to restore and develop Hamilton’s Auchmar estate.

The same developer that refurbished the Lister Block is interested in restoring the crumbling gothic revival mansion in exchange for the rights to build townhouses on the surrounding property.

But heritage advocates say the property around Auchmar, a 3.8-acre plot on the corner of Fennell Avenue and West 5th, is just as valuable as the building itself. Sacrificing the land to save the building will be a difficult compromise for those fighting to preserve the entire estate, said Alissa Denham-Robinson, chair of the city’s heritage committee.

“I could see why it would be a concern to heritage supporters,” Denham-Robinson said. “The inherent value of the property is that it’s a heritage estate … it’s a heritage landscape and property.”

The city acquired Auchmar in 1999 after a land swap with DeSantis Developments that saved the estate from being turned into a subdivision. However, decades of neglect have left the building in shambles. The city is about to spend $50,000 in stabilizing repairs and is also considering spending $550,000 more.

Warren Green, president of the Toronto-based Hi-Rise Group, met with city staff and ward councillor Terry Whitehead to discuss the plans Thursday afternoon.

The meeting was “a pre-pre-type discussion” about the deal, Whitehead said. There are many hurdles the city would have to cross if it decides to partner with Hi-Rise — including cost. While Hi-Rise estimated the project at about $4 million, the city said to fully repair the house, stone wall and dovecote would cost closer to $10 million.