Restoration of one of County’s most historic homes to continue with ‘Major Heritage Permit’ approval

Alex Fida posted this photo to his Facebook upon purchasing the historic downtown Picton home.

Council is expected to approve a ‘Major Heritage Permit’ at Tuesday night’s meeting to allow Alexandre Fida to continue his restoration of one of the County’s most historic homes at 1 Walton Street, in Picton (edge of Sobeys Plaza).

Historically, the house is known as ‘Grove Place’ aka JP Downes House, named after Capt. John Pepper Downes. It was built c1858 and bought by Capt Downes shortly thereafter. He was a Clerk for the County Court as well as a well-known artist for his pencil sketches. It is also known as The Falconer House as they were the last family to live there.

The permit would allow Fida to restore and adapt the historic back shed to a commercial use. The stone kitchen is to be restored with a new foundation and the existing two verandas rebuilt with new foundations.

He is adapting the original home and shed to operate a bed and breakfast and create a commercial space.

The Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee recommended the permit be approved, subject to modifications that the doors on the carriage house be wood or glass or a combination which would allow natural light to reach the commercial space.

It was noted that while the applicant proposes significant changes to the property in terms of substantial work (disassembling, reconstruction, involving work to roof, cladding, doors, windows, trim, porch, foundation and landscaping) the bulk of the changes do not detract from the heritage attributes of the property and in many cases, the applicant proposes to showcase the heritage importance on the subject lands.

The committee was supportive of the work, and commended Fida for a solid application submission and demonstrated effort in attention to detail for the restoration of a heritage building.