WATCH ABOVE: Some worry a piece of Edmonton’s history could be lost now that a Westmount estate property has been put up for sale. Vinesh Pratap explains.
EDMONTON — It dates back to 1912, sits nestled among trees in Edmonton’s Westmount neighbourhood and was recently put up for sale.
The $1.65-million listing boasts stained-glass windows, wood panelling and even a fireplace mantle from Italy.
“It was built by James Cornwall who was an entrepreneur and traded furs in this house, with the aboriginal people,” explained realtor Brian Vane.
“It takes your breath away because it’s almost like a museum in there.”
But the sale of this property could spell its demolition.
“When I first listed it, I was trying to sell the history of the house and people weren’t buying that.
“When we changed the advertising and entered in that it could be re-purposed – this land could be re-purposed because it is RF3, which means infill – all of a sudden the phones started ringing,” said Vane.
“People are concerned that the house is going to be torn down.”
The private home does not have any official historical designation and thus, there’s nothing preventing the new owner from tearing it down.
The home has been owned by an Edmonton family since the 1960s.
“The sellers of the home, because it’s an estate, don’t have a choice. It has to be sold,” Vane explained.
READ MORE: Historic Edmonton building demolition on list of worst national losses
The city would like to see the home preserved.
“We do legally have the opportunity to designate a property against the owner’s wishes, without consent, but we are required to provide lost economic value compensation to that owner,” said David Johnston, principal heritage planner for Edmonton.
“So, the city has typically not done that in the past.”
If the home is officially designated, the most the city can offer the new owner is $75,000 to help with restoration and preservation efforts.
“We need someone who has a real interest in Edmonton, in keeping this type of property for as long as possible,” said Vane.
He hopes the new owner will be open to options that include preservation in some way, shape or form.
“The land itself, with the city’s blessing, could be split into two. If the owner wanted to sell the lot, they’re worth around $700,000 around here. That would offset a lot of the cost of fixing the house.”
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