Committee backs demolition of former Kent Brewery building

A long heritage fight over the fate of the former Kent Brewery building and Brewmaster’s house was back in front of a city committee.

A long heritage fight over the fate of the former Kent Brewery building (1859) and Brewmaster’s house (1893) on Ann Street was back in front of the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) on Wednesday.

A staff report recommends consenting to the demolition of the historic buildings if they are commemorated in the redevelopment by York Developments.

The commemoration would include salvaging specific architectural elements and incorporating them in a new high rise residential building that will include a craft brewery.

“Choosing to designate doesn’t mean you have to preserve everything perfectly for all eternity,” explained Jean-Marc Metrailler, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee on Planning. “In some instances, a designation can encourage reasonable compromises.”

In 2022, city council approved the two buildings for heritage designation because of their historic connection to London’s brewing industry.

At the same time the property was rezoned to permit the 23-storey student-oriented residential development, pending a number of conditions.

An appeal of the heritage designation by York Developments remains before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Coun. David Ferreira, who represents Downtown London, expressed disappointment that the façades weren’t being incorporated into the new development, “Commemoration is really something that we (do) when something is already lost. This is not lost yet. We are talking about a demolition right now and commemoration-- but we have not lost it.”

Anna Maria Valastro of the North Talbot Neighbourhood Association questioned why the city’s heritage planner wasn’t present to answer questions from members of PEC.

“Why are the heritage staff not here?” she asked. “And whether they endorsed this proposal or whether the two senior staff (overrode) them?”

A heritage planner had been present for a different heritage matter earlier in the meeting.

In response to a direct question from Coun. Sam Trosow about the heritage planner’s absence, the Director of Planning and Development Heather McNeely replied, “The heritage staff actually work under our portfolio, Scott Mathers and myself, who is the Director of Planning and Development, and it is our recommendation that is before you today.”

“We’ve heard from the community that this brewery is important and I would hate to see that lost,” said Coun. Anna Hopkins.

“I’m happy to support this at committee, but again, I think a number of good points were raised by colleagues,” said Mayor Josh Morgan.

Members of PEC voted 4-1 to recommend the demolition be approved.

Afterwards, Chair of PEC Coun. Steve Lehman suggested the new craft brewery would serve an important role in the commemoration, “My understanding is they want to actually resurrect and brew beer in this part of the city for the first time since 1917. What better way to celebrate heritage?”

Council will make a final decision about the fate of the Brewery and Brewmaster’s House on June 3.