Horner + Mapes Houses
Aurora, Ontario
Horner House was constructed as a farm residence at the corner of Leslie Street and Major Mackenzie in Richmond Hill. The Mapes house had been relocated from elsewhere, and adjacent to the Horner House. The farm property was sold for redevelopment, and the two Designated Heritage Houses were required by the City to be incorporated into the new planned development. MW Hall Corporation was commissioned by Garden Homes as heritage architect to prepare Conservation Plans and to integrate the two houses into the planned development, working with Hunt Design Associates as architects for the new development and the owner, Garden Homes. The two heritage structures were temporarily relocated while the site was regarded and new infrastructure installed, then moved back to approximately their original sites facing Leslie Street on new foundations, and with new additions to the rear.
Such a project is not for the ‘faint hearted’, as the historic houses had to be upgraded and integrated with the new. The president of Garden Homes, Ignazio Giardina, is a master carpenter and has worked diligently to restore the houses to ‘his standard’, while retaining and restoring the historic fabric of the buildings.
Such a project is not for the ‘faint hearted’, as the historic houses had to be upgraded and integrated with the new. The president of Garden Homes, Ignazio Giardina, is a master carpenter and has worked diligently to restore the houses to ‘his standard’, while retaining and restoring the historic fabric of the buildings.
