Notice of intention to designate - 361 Macdonald Road

On November 13, 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:

Miller House
361 Macdonald Road
Part lots 58 & 59, Plan 113; As in 347520; Town of Oakville

Description of property

The property at 361 Macdonald Road is a corner lot located on the northeast corner of Macdonald Road and Allan Street in the Brantwood neighbourhood. The property contains a one-and-a-half storey brick and frame house constructed in 1913, known as the Miller House.

Statement of cultural heritage value or interest

Design and physical value

The Miller House has design and physical value as a representative and early example of a Bungalow style home in Oakville built during the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900s. The house, which was built in 1913, features many architectural elements typical of the style including its one-and-a-half storey ground-hugging massing that is typical of the Bungalow style. With its broad, gently pitched gable roof covering its expansive porch, and its red-brick, wood shingles, and rough-cast stucco and half-timbering cladding materials, the Miller House reflects the Arts and Crafts movement’s commitment to informality and the use of rustic and natural building materials. The house contains many original architectural elements that are reflective of the Bungalow style of architecture, including: a variety of window styles, including the typical Bungalow style small-paned casement windows; exposed rafter tails; a rusticated stone foundation; stone pillars topped by wood columns; and a large rustic stone chimney.

Historical and associative value

The Miller House property has cultural heritage value for its direct associations with the theme of the development of the local residential area known as ‘Brantwood’, an early 20th century subdivision of Oakville. The Arts and Crafts era character of the house has contributed to the neighbourhood’s character over the last 100 years. Its presence contributes to the story of Oakville’s early 20th century residential development that was defined by large lots with well-designed homes built by well-to-do families.

Contextual value

The subject property has contextual value because it defines, maintains and supports the character of the Brantwood neighbourhood. As one of the earliest properties to be developed, and as a representative and early example of the Bungalow style of architecture in Brantwood, the Miller House property’s presence as well as its design elements are important in supporting and maintaining the historic character of Brantwood. The property is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to the surrounding residential neighbourhood. As an anchor point in the Brantwood neighbourhood, this house helps to define the original aesthetic of Arts and Crafts aesthetic of Brantwood and continues to support and maintain the character of the neighbourhood.

Description of heritage attributes

Key attributes of the one-and-a-half storey Miller House that exemplify its value as a representative example of a Bungalow style house, as they relate to the original one-and-a-half storey portion of the building, include the following:

• The footprint and form of the original one-and-a-half storey building with gently pitched intersecting gable roof, including front gable dormer with balcony, and first storey bay window on west elevation;
• Red brick cladding on the first storey in a running bond pattern, including brick voussoirs over windows and doors;
• Wooden shingle cladding on the upper storey with stucco and half timbering cladding in the gables;
• Wooden soffits, fascia, trim and exposed eaves;
• Front porch with stone plinths, square wooden columns, wooden fascia with gently sloping arches, and low wooden railings with square pickets;
• The fenestration on all four elevations, excluding the bay window on the east elevation;
• The presence of multi-paned wooden windows on the front elevation and on the rear sunroom on the northwest corner;
• Front entryway with central door flanked by multi-paned sidelights;
• Dressed stone sills and wood sills;
• Lakestone chimney on west elevation; and
• Rusticated concrete exposed foundation.

The small one-storey, lean-to entryway section on the back elevation and the circa 2007 single car garage are not considered to be of significant cultural heritage value.

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than December 15, 2023.  Objections must be directed to the Town Clerk at townclerk@oakville.ca or 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6H 0H3. The objection must include the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts.

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. 

Issued at the Town of Oakville on November 15, 2023.