Notice of intention to designate 3367 Dundas Street West

On August 12, 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:

Rivaz Family Farmhouse
3367 Dundas Street West
Part Lot 34, CON 1 Trafalgar North Dundas Street, as in 645159 excerpt Part 1 HR1836450 and Parts 1,2 HR1999996; Subject to an easement over Parts 2,3,4 HR1836450 as in HR1836450; together with an easement as in 645159; Town of Oakville

Description of Property

The property at 3367 Dundas Street West is located on the north side of Dundas Street West, east of Tremaine Road in north Oakville. 

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

Design and Physical Value

The Rivaz Family Farmhouse is a representative example of vernacular architecture with Edwardian Classical and Queen Anne Revival influences. The Edwardian era house, with its square form, horizontal lines and solid detailing, began to gain traction in the early 20th century. This particular house incorporates a number of architectural features of the Edwardian Classical style, including: the smooth, red-brick exterior; a relatively square footprint; a pyramidal hipped roof with a flat deck; wide, overhanging eaves; and an attic dormer. The house also includes details carried over from the more picturesque late Queen Anne Revival style, such as: the asymmetrical front façade with two-storey bay and pedimented gable; the protruding bay window on the east elevation; and the front porch with brick detailing.

Historical and Associative Value

The Rivaz Family Farmhouse property has historical value for its associations with the theme of agricultural development in early 20th century Trafalgar Township. The house remains as an important reminder of this agricultural period while the area transitions to suburban development. These historic farmsteads produced a substantial amount of produce that contributed significantly to the local economy. With the loss of these farmsteads across the town, the conservation of the Rivaz Family Farmhouse provides a visual link to this important part of Oakville’s past. 

Contextual Value

The Rivaz Family Farmhouse property has contextual value because it is physically, visually and historically linked to its formerly rural surroundings, currently transitioning to suburban development. The house acts as an important remnant of this former rural landscape that contributed to the early development of Trafalgar Township and to Oakville. 

Description of Heritage Attributes

Key heritage attributes of the property at 3367 Dundas Street West that exemplify its cultural heritage value as a representative example of an early 20th century farmhouse with Edwardian Classical and Queen Anne Revival style influences, as they relate to the north, east, south and west elevations of the two-and-a-half-storey brick house, include its:

• Square massing and footprint with two-storey bay with pedimented gable on south elevation and protruding bay window on east elevation;
• Pyramidal hipped roof with attic dormer on east elevation;
• Smooth red brick cladding in Common bond with brick voussoirs above windows and doors;
• First storey front porch with its low brick wall and brick columns;
• The fenestration of windows and doors on the east, south and west elevations of the house, excluding the windows on the enclosed porch on the northeast corner;
• The presence of doors and 1/1 windows in the Edwardian era style;
• Stone sills; and
• The fieldstone foundation above grade.

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than September 13, 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 August 14, 2024.