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Saint John’s historic Anglin House faces wrecking ball

Click to play video: 'Saint John attempts to balance heritage and development as destruction of Anglin House looms'
Saint John attempts to balance heritage and development as destruction of Anglin House looms
The City of Saint John has to walk a fine line as they attempt to balance development and heritage. Now, a citizen-led group is raising red flags over the impending loss of another historic structure – Nov 18, 2019

The City of Saint John has approved an application for the demolition of a piece of the city’s history — the home of Canada’s second speaker of the House of Commons.

Once home to Timothy Warren Anglin, the building located at 157 Waterloo Street is also known as the Anglin House.

It has become something of a symbol of development in Saint John.

READ MORE: Saint John throwing away ‘millions’ through demolition instead of deconstruction, former heritage planner says

Anglin ended up in Saint John after fleeing Ireland in 1849 during the Potato Famine.

While in New Brunswick, he served as an outspoken advocate for the city’s Irish-Catholic community.

“His daughter was a famous Broadway actress,” said Janelle Russell, president of Heritage Saint John.

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“There are all sorts of stories, the carriage house around back being used as a theatre before she made it big.”

Click to play video: 'Saint John police adds armoured rescue vehicle to its fleet'
Saint John police adds armoured rescue vehicle to its fleet

The Anglin House was purchased five years ago by Ivano Andriani, a Nova Scotia-based businessman.

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Andriani told Global News that he made the purchase as an investment opportunity with no plans to demolish it.

Instead, he planned to convert the home into a mixed-use space with four luxury apartments upstairs and a doctor’s office on the ground floor.

“He claimed that he wasn’t given the go-ahead as far as any potential zoning,” said Russell on Monday.

When reached for comment, the City of Saint John confirmed that the city staff “did meet with the property owner to discuss available options” but that “a rezoning application for 157 Waterloo Street was never received.”

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READ MORE: Councillor believes ‘needless delay’ holding up demolition of Fundy Line Motel

It’s nearly impossible to keep up growth in Canada’s oldest incorporated city without stepping on something with history.

“I can understand that and I’m all for new development,” said Russell.

The Anglin House is set to be torn down by the end of the month.

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