The scaffolding and tarps are down, heritage restoration complete, and a shiny for sale sign sits in the window of one of downtown Newmarket’s long-neglected Main Street South properties.
The 4,445-square-foot building at 194 Main St. S. is listed for sale at $1,299,900. It is part of a package of four properties branded as Landmark On Main that can be purchased individually, and includes Newmarket’s landmark circa-1914 Clock Tower building at 180 Main St. S. that served as the town’s federal building and post office in its first incarnation.
According to a brochure on the properties, the sale of which is being handled by longtime local realtors and Newmarket residents Joshua A. Campbell of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, and Graham Purvis of Royal Lepage RCR Realty, the 194 Main St. S. building permits many uses, including an art gallery, commercial school, hotel, office, personal service shop, restaurant, retail store and apartments.
The properties are owned by Markham-based developer The Forrest Group.
The building itself is a two-storey structure with one retail frontage. The heritage finishes include new storefront glazing, new exterior siding/panelling, existing brick restored, new replica cornice and new/restored heritage windows. Most interior demising walls have been removed. It is located beside the Olde Village Free House.
The Main Street South properties formerly known as the Clock Tower project has seen its share of local controversy.
Most recently, after the unauthorized demolition of the historic Simpson building in October 2019 at 184/186 Main St. S. by the developer, Town of Newmarket officials successfully negotiated its rebuild along with a $200,000 penalty.
The Forrest Group issued a statement of regret and acknowledged that it took down the building without proper permissions.
“Our main objective is to protect our heritage and continue to move forward with the development and revitalization of our Main Street,” Mayor John Taylor said.
For more information on the Landmark on Main properties, visit here.
