Notice of Intention to Designate

The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill

Re:       Notice of Intention to Designate
             10239 Yonge Street
             City of Richmond Hill ON L4C 3B2
             City File No.: D12-07469

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill (“Council”) intends to designate the above noted property as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under part IV and pursuant to section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990,c.0.18.

And take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill stated their intention to designate said property under the Ontario Heritage Act on June 19, 2024.

A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the property and a description of the heritage attributes of the property is set out below.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest:

Built circa 1853, the Hart House at 10239 Yonge Street has design and physical value because it is a rare and early example of Georgian architecture in Richmond Hill, and because it is an early remaining example of residential development along Yonge Street. The Hart House is a two-storey, timber frame structure with rectangular plan, three bays at grade, and two bays on the second floor. Historical architectural features that contribute to the rare and early representation of Georgian architecture include its timber frame construction, medium-sloped side-gable roof with eave return, the asymmetrical, yet balanced, composition of the front (west) façade, and flat-headed windows and door on the front (west) facade. Historical architectural features that contribute to the early representation of development along Yonge Street include its orientation and placement flush with Yonge Street.

The Hart House has historical and associative value for its direct association with John Hart, a prosperous early Richmond Hill farmer, shoemaker, and village resident whose family lived on the property from 1862 to 1912. Hart was a successful businessman, acquiring 271 acres of land, four dwelling houses, and one village lot, and retired to the subject building at 10239 Yonge Street at the relatively young age of 48. Hart Street in Richmond Hill has been named in commemoration of John Hart.

The Hart House has contextual value because its scale, form, and Georgian architectural style are important in defining and maintaining the predominantly 19th and early 20th century main street character along Yonge Street. The property also contributes to the historic character of Richmond Hill’s village core more broadly, which is typified by fine-grained residential, commercial, and institutional built form concentrated to Yonge Street, and fine-grained residential built form located on side streets east and west of Yonge Street.

The Hart House also has contextual value because it is visually and historically linked to its surroundings on the east side of Yonge Street in Richmond Hill’s historic village core. The structure is visually linked to its surroundings because it has a similar scale, massing, material, and character to other 19th century structures still standing on Yonge Street. As one of the earliest structures remaining on Yonge Street in the village core, it is historically linked to the early wave of development that arose to accommodate the village’s growing population in the early- to mid-19th century.

Description of Heritage Attributes:

• The scale, form, and massing of the two-storey structure with a side hall plan;
• The medium-pitched side-gable roof with return eaves;
• The timber frame construction;
• The asymmetrical, yet balanced, composition of the front (west) façade, with three bays at grade and two bays at the second storey;
• Flat-headed window and door openings on the front (west) façade;
• The building’s scale, siting, and orientation on the east side of Yonge Street; and
• The building’s Georgian architectural style and material palette.

Note: the building’s circa 1960s rear (east) addition is not considered to possess significant heritage attributes.

Notice of Objection:

Any person who objects to the above noted Council’s intention to designate shall, within 30 days after the publication of this notice, serve on the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill, a Notice of Objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts.  The last day to submit the Notice of Objection is July 26, 2024.

Service may be made digitally by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by delivery personally to the City Clerk or by Regular Mail at the following address:

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill ON  L4B 3P4
 

Obtaining Additional Information:

Additional information about heritage planning at the City of Richmond Hill may be obtained by contacting Heritage Planning City staff by e-mail at heritage@richmondhill.ca. Take note that a Notice of Objection may only be served to the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill as stated above.

Dated this 26th day of June, 2024

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4
E-mail: clerks@richmondhill.ca