Notice of intention to designate 323 Douglas Avenue

On December 9, 2024, 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:

Guess House Stone Wall
323 Douglas Avenue
Lot 169, Plan 113; Oakville

Description of property

The property at 323 Douglas Avenue is located on the east side of Douglas Avenue, between Macdonald Road and Galt Avenue in the Brantwood neighbourhood. The property contains a circa 1913 dry-laid lakestone wall originally associated with the Guess House at 329 Douglas Avenue. 

Statement of cultural heritage value or interest

Design and physical value

The Guess House Stone Wall has design and physical value as a representative example of an Arts and Crafts era landscape wall. The goal of the residential Arts and Crafts movement was to portray the house as a place of serenity, with a focus on the home as part of the natural environment. There was a strong emphasis on artisanal and hand-crafted objects and structures and natural materials such as brick, stone, stucco and wood. The stone wall is constructed of natural lakestone sourced from the bed of Lake Ontario nearby. The wall was less a functional structure and more a decorative one, grounding the house on the site and adding a natural, organic aesthetic that was typical of the Arts and Crafts era. It also spoke to the owner’s wealth and status by highlighting the expansive size of the property at the time. The craftsmanship can be seen in the originally dry-laid structure topped by vertical pieces of lakestone and its stone columns topped by large fieldstones.

Historical and associative value

The Guess House Stone Wall has cultural heritage value for its associations with the theme of development of the local residential area known as ‘Brantwood’. Developed in the early 1900s, this subdivision was designed with large lots and was sold to city dwellers as a secluded, beautiful and modern neighbourhood in which to construct their own cottage or stately home. The stone wall was built as part of the Guess House, a large estate home constructed circa 1910 in the Tudor Revival and Craftsman styles, typical architectural styles of the Arts and Crafts period. The wall still stands on four separate properties that make up the original estate property.

Contextual value

The Guess House Stone Wall is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to its surroundings. It is also important in defining, supporting and maintaining the historic residential character of Brantwood. The stone wall was built for one of the oldest houses on the street and is representative of the Arts & Crafts era. It was designed, along with its original house, to recall the English countryside and tie the house to the land through this hand-made natural landscape feature. It remains a rare remnant structure from the early 20th century and is a distinguishing feature of the streetscape. Running along four separate properties, the wall provides a physical and visual reminder of the large historic estates that were originally constructed within Brantwood. Despite multiple severances and the construction of new homes over many decades, the stone wall remains as a defining feature of the neighbourhood. 

Description of heritage attributes

Key heritage attributes of the property at 323 Douglas Avenue that exemplify its cultural heritage value as an early 20th century Arts and Crafts era landscape wall, include the following:

• The low lakestone wall and columns topped by vertical pieces of lakestone.

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than January 15, 2025.  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 December 16, 2024.