Notice of intention to designate - 383 Spruce Street

On January 22, 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:

Crossley House
383 Spruce Street
Lot 101, Plan 127; Town of Oakville

Description of property

The property at 383 Spruce Street is located on the north side of Spruce Street between Allan Street and Watson Avenue, in the Tuxedo Park subdivision. The property contains a 1911 vernacular two-storey brick house known as the Crossley House.

Statement of cultural heritage value or interest

Design and physical value

The Crossley House has design and physical value as a representative example of a vernacular brick house in Oakville, influenced by Edwardian Classicism and the Arts and Crafts movement. The house was built in 1911 with elements of these styles, including: hipped roof with a rectangular brick chimney; red brick cladding in a common bond pattern; the small but decorative wooden covering for the front step with wooden brackets and wooden ceiling; wooden soffits; arched-shape window openings with two-row brick voussoirs and concrete sills; and multi-paned windows. Together, these elements form a unique vernacular home with influences from styles that were popular in Ontario at the time.

Historical and associative value

The Crossley House has cultural heritage value for its direct associations with the theme of development of the local residential area known as ‘Tuxedo Park’, and still retains exterior heritage aspects that have lent to the neighbourhood’s character over the last 100 years. It is also located just outside of the Brantwood neighbourhood and adds to the heritage character of that subdivision, which stems from the same period. Its presence contributes to the story of Oakville’s early 20th century residential development that was defined by large lots with well-designed Arts and Crafts era homes built by well-to-do families.

Contextual value

The Crossley House has contextual value because it defines, supports and maintains the character of the Tuxedo Park and Brantwood neighbourhood. It is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to the surrounding residential neighbourhoods and places the area’s origins in a specific timeframe. The house was one of the earliest built in the area and one of the first in the Tuxedo Park subdivision specifically. As an anchor point in the neighbourhood, this house helps to define the original aesthetic of Tuxedo Park and Brantwood and continues to support and maintain the character of the neighbourhoods.

Description of heritage attributes

Key heritage attributes of the property at 383 Spruce Street that exemplify its cultural heritage value as a vernacular brick house with influences from the Edwardian Classicism style and Arts and Crafts era, as they relate to the historic two-storey house, include:

• The massing and form of the two-storey building with hipped roof;
• Rectangular brick chimney;
• Red brick cladding in a common bond pattern with headers every six rows of
• running bond and two rows of brick voussoirs over doors and windows;
• Wooden soffit;
• Small, decorative roof over front stoop with wooden brackets;
• Fenestration of the windows and door on the south, west, and east elevations;
• The presence of multi-paned wood windows in the Arts and Crafts style with wood
• trim; and
• Concrete windowsills.

For the purpose of clarity, the cultural heritage value or interest and heritage attributes do not include:

• The rear covered porch with second storey living space.

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than February 26, 2024. 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 January 25, 2024.