Notice of intention to designate - 356 Watson Avenue

Wednesday, August 16, 2023
On August 14, 2023 Oakville Town Council resolved to pass a Notice of Intention to Designate the following property under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.18, as amended, as a property of cultural heritage value and interest:

Turner House
356 Watson Avenue
Lot 192 and PT Lot 191, Plan 113; Town of Oakville
 

Description of Property


The property at 356 Watson Avenue is located on the west side of Watson Avenue, between Macdonald Road and Galt Avenue in the Brantwood neighbourhood. The property contains a circa 1915 two-and-a-half storey frame house clad in red brick and wood shingles. 
 

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

 

Design and Physical Value

The subject house has design and physical value as a representative example of an early 1900s Craftsman house. The house was built between 1914 and 1915 with elements of Craftsman design such as: a large front verandah; a combination of materials including wood, brick, and cedar shingles; a side gable roof punctuated by rear and front dormers; and multi-paned windows throughout, including character-defining bay windows. The house continues to reflect the serene and natural aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement through these historic architectural details.
 

Historical and Associative Value

The home has cultural heritage value for its direct associations with the theme of the development of the local residential area known as ‘Brantwood’. Developed in the early 1900s, this subdivision was designed with large lots and mature trees, and was sold to city dwellers as a secluded, beautiful and modern neighbourhood in which to construct their own cottage or stately home. The property still retains exterior heritage elements that have lent to the neighbourhood’s character over the last 100 years and its presence contributes to the historic subdivision. 
 

Contextual Value

The subject property has contextual value because it supports and maintains the historical residential character of the Brantwood neighbourhood. It was one of the earliest buildings in the neighbourhood and is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to the surrounding residential neighbourhood and places the Brantwood area’s origins in a specific timeframe. The home is a prominent building on the street and its presence is important for the protection of Brantwood’s historic character. 
 

Description of Heritage Attributes


Key attributes of the property at 356 Watson Avenue that exemplify its cultural heritage value, as they relate to the original two-and-a-half storey rectangular house and the one-storey front porch, include:
 
  • The massing and form of the two-and-a-half storey building with side gable roof and centred front and rear dormers; 
  • Red brick cladding;
  • Cedar shingle cladding; 
  • Red brick chimney;
  • Concrete window sills;
  • Large front verandah with tapered wooden pillars, brick plinths and wooden railings on the first floor;
  • Fenestration on the south, east, and north elevations; 
  • Multi-paned windows that reflect the style and pane division of the original windows; 
  • Remaining wood trim, soffits, and fascia; and
  • Lakestone foundation above grade.

The designation does not include the frame stairwell addition on the north side of the house or the two-storey covered-porch wing on the east side of the house. 

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than September 15, 2023.  Objections should be directed to the Town Clerk, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6H 0H3.

Further information respecting this proposed designation is available from the Town of Oakville. Any inquiries may be directed to Carolyn Van Sligtenhorst, Supervisor of Heritage Conservation at 905-845-6601, ext.3875 (TTY 905-338-4200), or by email at carolyn.van@oakville.ca.