'Total game changer': Newmarket's historic Clock Tower to be redeveloped into boutique hotel

'We could not have dreamed of something better,' mayor says of Main Street project

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 22, 2021
Lisa Queen

Newmarket’s historic Clock Tower on Main Street will be turned into a boutique hotel, the town and developer announced late afternoon on Nov. 19.

The project, which will be York Region’s only boutique hotel, will accelerate the ongoing revitalization and renewal of downtown Newmarket, the town, along with Streetcar Developments and its partner Dream Unlimited Corp. said in a statement.

Mayor John Taylor called the purchase of the Clock Tower by Streetcar and Dream “a total game changer” and one that will enhance the already unique vibe of the area.

“The new future of the Clock Tower is going to put Newmarket on the map in the GTA as a must-visit place. It’s going to be an economic development boon for the downtown. It’s going to bring a lot of new visitors and shoppers to our downtown,” he told The Era and yorkregion.com.

“We could not have dreamed of something better to move in to renew and re-invent the clock tower.”

The heritage of the building is being “completely preserved and enhanced,” Taylor said.

“This project will reinforce, throughout the GTA, that downtown Newmarket is a destination of choice,” he said in a statement.

“When this renewal is complete, visitors of the hotel will walk and shop each day on our Main Street and enjoy our festivals and events.”

Taylor acknowledged parking will be “a challenge” but said the town plans to address the issue.

Over the past three years, Streetcar and Dream have undertaken similar transformative projects -- Toronto’s Broadview Hotel and Gladstone House -- to the Clock Tower.

“The historic post office in Newmarket is poised to join this unique boutique hotel collection and give this property, that is so important to the town's history, a very special role in its future,” a statement from the town said.

The site has gone through a couple of difficult years.

In October, 2019, Taylor said he was “infuriated” when a heritage building just south of the historic tower was demolished.

The town issued a stop work order on the evening of Oct. 10 of that year after being made aware of the missing buildings at 184 and 186 Main St.

The town then issued a statement confirming Main Street Clock Inc. Development, the owners of 184, 186, 188, 190, 192 and 194 Main St., including the historic tower, had building permits with a scope of work and conditions only allowing interior alterations to the buildings and not demolition.

In January, 2020, the town announced the historic Simpson House would be fully reconstructed by the developer Main Street Clock Inc. (MSC Inc.), who would also be penalized $200,000 after an unauthorized demolition.

MSC Inc. accepted the stringent conditions the town imposed to ensure the rebuild of the historic Charles Hargrave Simpson House in a heritage fashion.

The developer was ordered to rebuild Simpson House at 184/186 Main Street, plus complete renovations to other associated properties (188/190/192 and 194) on Main Street.