New pub to open in historic home while developer waits to construct two 15-storey apartments

New pub to open in historic home while developer waits to construct twin 15-storey apartments. CTV London's Brent Lale reports.

A Victorian-era building in Hyde Park is about to get a new life.

Approved for demolition by London City Council, to make way for two high-rise apartments in November 2025, 1269 Hyde Park Road will soon by home to the Pierside Pub North London.

The housing project is still going ahead but will take a couple of years to get started.

“We are kind of in a holding pattern waiting for market conditions to align, watching the construction costs and interest rates like every other developer,” said Jay Parkinson of North Development Corporation (NDC).

“We’re ready to go and we have all the approvals from the city, so, we could move at any time, but it’s more prudent to wait for market conditions to improve.”

While they wait to get started, they are happy to have a new tenant in the home built in 1872 which was most recently used as Crossings Pub and Grill.

“This part of town has really grown and developed,” said Brent Noels, the new owner of the pub.

“I thought if I could do a bar rescue and turn it back into just a community kind of pub, I will do that”.

Noels owns the popular Pierside Pub in Port Stanley, Ont. just steps from main beach.

That establishment is known for live music and a popular patio.

“When I came in, there was a lot of work to do,” said Noels, of the renovations to 1269 Hyde Park.

“Painting and upkeep. We’ve been hard at work for about two and a half months now, turning it back into where it should be by getting new things on the wall and some new product coming in. It’s going to be a whole vibe for this part of town”.

Four months ago, London City Council approved NDC’s plan to build the 15-storey apartments and voted against granting heritage status to the home built in 1872 by farmer and former MP George Nixon.The housing complex will have 502 units on the property wedged between a car dealership and railroad tracks.

“There was a lot of concerns with that development application and what would happen to the existing pub there?” said Steve Lehman, London’s Ward 8 councillor.

“So to hear that someone’s willing to move in right now - because these developments take years and years to happen – that’s fantastic. I remember going back to the Horse and Hound, there’s been a number of pubs, through the years. I look forward to, having a beer in the patio this, this summer.”

Noels continues to work on reconstructing the patio building an outdoor stage and a horseshoe bar where “the locals can mingle.”

“It’s a fun establishment especially in this great big old house that has a lot of history,” said Noels, who wants to combine an Irish/Scottish pub with a Florida vibe.

“You can go in and out of rooms and just check everything out when you’re here and look at all the old heritage.”Noels built an indoor stage for live music and added a games room on the upper floor.

He hopes to get a few good years out of this building before the development begins.

“Until that happens, we will go full steam ahead,” said Noels.

“We’ve got a great partnership with the owners of the building. The grounds are beautiful and we’ll take full advantage including picnic tables out there.”

NDC was happy to be connected with Noels through a mutual friend.

“Nobody wants a vacant building sitting there just collecting dust,” said Parkinson.

“This is going to be good for the community. I’m excited because I don’t live too far away. It’s a nice, short drive to have live music with some very cool bands in here.”

When the development project does go ahead, Parkinson says they will recognize the home’s heritage by incorporating it into the design.

“We spent a lot of time with that,” said Parkinson.

“There’s going to be a walkway behind our parking structure well lit up. There are stories of historical events that have to do with Hyde Park along that and I think that will be a nice feature. It’ll tie that subdivision and they can walk through. We’re going to do our best to pay homage to the history of the building”.

The opening date for the Pierside Pub is expected to be April 18.