Notice is Hereby Given that the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Newmarket intends to designate as a property of cultural heritage value and interest the following property in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.18:
Property Description: 70 Main Street South (William Bunney House) is located on the west side of Main Street in the Town of Newmarket. The subject property contains a two-and-a-half storey Queen Anne building which was constructed in 1894.
Legal Description: LOT 3, PLAN 222 W/S MAIN STREET,NEWMARKET
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2024
Last Date for Objection: Dec 1, 2024Any notice of objection to this Notice of Intention to Designate, setting out the reason for objection and all relevant facts, mustbe served upon the Town Clerk within 30 days of the first publication of this notice.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest:
Physical/ Design Value
70 Main Street South is a representative example of a building constructed in the Queen Anne architectural style.The two-and-a-half storey, brick building follows an irregular plan with complex roofline showcasing cross gable roof, multi- front gable peaks all decorated with detailed ornamental woodwork, wide overhanging eaves, which create the playful and asymmetrical composition typical of the Queen Anne design. The facade exhibits several elaborate and decorative details including a decorative banding, two-storey box bay window with oversized arch windows with brick voussoirs, stone keystone and springers, stain glass on lower level and Queen Anne sash with smaller square panes lining the parameter of the window on the upper storey. In addition to the second two-storey bay window and variety of remaining window openings, the large ornamental wrap around verandah, completed with ornamented, chamfered wood columns, turned and carved woodwork, brackets, spindles, and gingerbread trim provides access to the formal entranceway are characteristics of the Queen Anne style. The use of mixed materials, detailed woodwork, and ornamental design of openings provides a playfulness that is representative of Queen Anne style.
Historical and Associative Value
70 Main Street South is directly associated with the historic Village of Newmarket and William Bunney. The lots lines, layout, and built form of the historic village of Newmarket was well established in the mid-19th century and evident in a well-established commercial core found along Main Street South and the large presence of residences located along several side streets. Historically, 70 Main Street South was a residential building located near the historic commercial core to the south and a prominent commercial intersection located north at Davis Drive. The development of the commercial core and surrounding residential streetscapes in the mid-19th century played a significant role in the social and economic development and growth of the historic Village of Newmarket. Additionally, the brick used in the construction of 70 Main Street was likely from the Stickwood Brickyard. Local historians indicate that almost all of the brick buildings built in Newmarket between 1860 and 1910 were likely constructed with bricks that originated at the Stickwood Brickyard.
70 Main Street South is historically associated with local architect William Bunney. William Bunney was born in Cornwall, England in 1851 and immigrated to Bowmanville in 1871, where he began working as an architect. He joined the Ontario Associated of Architects (OAA) in November 1890 and moved to Newmarket in 1894. William Bunney was locally employed by Wm. Cane & Sons, a manufacturer of a wide range of wood products, and also responsible for the design not only of his own residence at 70 Main Street South, but also several other residences of other prominent local citizens, some of which are still extant. He moved to Ottawa in 1898 and died in Hamilton in 1925.
70 Main Street South reflects the work of local architect William Bunney. Many of William Bunney's local commissions were buildings constructed in the Queen Anne Style for prominent institutions or community members. The elaborate and/or well-known buildings within Newmarket that reflect William Bunney's architectural work includes the Christian Church Manse at 127 Main Street, the William Widdifield House at 266 Prospect Street and the Brunton residence at 480 Eagle Street.
Contextual Value
70 Main Street South is important in supporting the 19th century character of the historic Village of Newmarket. The subject property is location along a section of Main Street which was historically residential but in proximity to the historic commercial core. Many of the early residences we owned by local merchants who owned and/or worked within the commercial core. The buildings in the area are comprised of predominantly one to two-and-a-half storey residences, primarily brick construction most using bricks from Stickwood's brickyard, with modest setbacks and include a range of architectural styles from that time period. 70 Main Street exhibits setback, massing, style, decorative details consistent with the historic village character.
Additional information, including a full description of the rationale for designation is available upon request from Umar Mahmood, Planner, Committee of Adjustment and Cultural Heritage, Planning Services at (905) 895-5193, extension 2458, or at umahmood@newmarket.ca during regular business hours.