Notice of Intention to Pass a Bylaw to Designate
235 King Street West – The Brockville Arts Centre

The Council of the Corporation of the City of Brockville intends to pass a By-Law under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18, to designate the Brockville Arts Centre to be of cultural heritage value and interest:

Description of Property

The property is located at 235 King Street West, Brockville, legally described as Part Lots 38 to 41 Lots 35, Block 42, Plan 67 and 36, 42 to 44 RP 28R4516 Parts 2 and 3 And 9 ROW Over Parts 5 And 10.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The Brockville Arts Centre, originally constructed in 1858 by John Steacy, a prominent Brockville master builder and architect, is a significant example of Italianate architecture and reflects the early civic development of Brockville. Steacy also designed Victoria Hall and contributed to other notable buildings in the city.

The building originally served as Brockville’s first Town Hall, housing municipal services including the police station, lock-up cells, fire hall, and butcher’s market. In 1880, it was converted into an opera house, featuring one of the largest stages in Canada at the time. The 1911 expansion, designed by Canadian architect Andrew Stuart Allaster, introduced the Fly Tower, a rare and significant feature in Canadian theatre architecture, showcasing Beaux-Arts design principles such as symmetry, monumental scale, and rich decorative detailing.

The property continues to serve as a vital cultural venue, hosting performances by renowned entertainers and supporting local theatre and community events.

Heritage Attributes

The cultural heritage value of the Brockville Arts Centre is expressed through the following heritage attributes:

Exterior architectural features, including:

• Stone and masonry elements, both structural and decorative
• Brick cornice and stepped parapet
• Original rounded-top windows with keystones (now filled in)
• Inscriptions on the front façade
• The distinctive 1911 Fly Tower, a landmark in Brockville’s skyline

These attributes apply to all elevations and the roof, including original facades, entrances, window shapes and trim, and construction materials such as wood, brick, stone, stucco, concrete, and glazing.

Contextual Value

The Brockville Arts Centre is a landmark in downtown Brockville. The Fly Tower remains a prominent feature of the city’s skyline and contributes to the visual identity of the area. The building’s historical façade and architectural detailing enhance the character of King Street and reflect Brockville’s civic and cultural heritage.

Further Information

Any notice of objection to this notice of intention to designate the property, setting out the reason for objection and all relevant facts, must be served upon the City Clerk (clerk@brockville.com) within 30 days of the first publication of this notice.

Dated at the City of Brockville the 12^th day of November, 2025.

Clerk’s Office
City of Brockville
1 King Street West
Brockville, ON  K6V 7A5

For further information, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 613-342-8772 or at clerk@brockville.com