Newmarket's 'landmark' heritage properties hit the market

Vision for downtown's iconic clock tower, rebranded as 'The Landmark on Main', entirely open-ended, realtors say

Newmarkettoday.ca
November 5, 2019
Debora Kelly

As the restoration and renovation work continues behind the scaffolding and green hoardings on Main Street, the heritage properties are now back on the market in preparation for the next phase of their story.

Appropriately branded “The Landmark on Main”, the centrepiece of the multiple properties listing in historic downtown Newmarket is the “iconic former Federal Post Office and Customs House building with a four-faced clock and bell tower (that) dominates all views from the historic downtown at a key corner location at Main Street and Park Avenue".

Listed at close to $9 million, the Clock Tower building at 180 Main is comprised of the original 1914 building and a 1956 addition.

The last proposal by current owner the Forrest Group to build up to a seven-storey condo tower was soundly rejected after a drawn-out battle that began in about 2011.

The town’s stop-work order on 184/186 Main, on which the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson building was demolished Oct. 9, remains in place.

The circa-1850 Simpson building was home to Ontario’s first female druggist, Anne Mary Simpson, who ran an apothecary there from 1886 to 1914.

The parcel of 188, 190 & 192 Main is listed for $1.25 million, and the slightly larger building at 194 Main is listed at $1.19 million.

Longtime local realtors and Newmarket residents Joshua A. Campbell, of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, and Graham Purvis, of Royal Lepage RCR Realty, have partnered for the listing.

They are intentionally avoiding associating the parcel with the name “Clock Tower”, but are “embracing the heritage aspect” of the properties and the vibrancy of the growing town itself, Purvis said.

Their website features local historian Wes Playter, outlining the history of the parcel of properties.

According to Campbell, the facade of the Simpson building was saved in the demolition, as had been required by the town.

The vision for the 25,000-square-foot 180 Main is “open-ended”, from a boutique hotel -- hotels like the Broadview in Toronto are setting a trend -- to office space and/or residential.

“The building is stunning, and will be really sought after," said Campbell, adding the view from the rooftop is breath-taking.

“Our Main Street Newmarket is unique. Aurora doesn’t have it, Vaughan doesn’t have it, Richmond Hill doesn’t have it,” Purvis said. “In fact, it’s fairly unique in Ontario. We’re very proud to be doing this."