Halifax Alehouse, HFX Sports Bar & Grill facing demolition
The iconic Halifax Alehouse, along with the neighbouring HFX Sports Bar & Grill, may soon face the fate of a wrecking ball, as developer George Ramia has applied for a permit to demolish the historic buildings. The Alehouse, which has stood for 132 years, was purchased by Ramia in December 2024 from the Khoury brothers, who co-owned the bars. The bars were closed due to liquor-law violations and a homicide investigation involving an Alehouse bouncer. The new owner’s plans for a blank slate have sparked controversy, with the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia launching a petition to protect the red-brick building, citing its architectural and cultural significance.
The Alehouse building, erected in 1893 and once home to the Salvation Army, is considered one of the last vestiges of the lost neighbourhood known as the ‘Upper Streets.’ The Heritage Trust’s petition has garnered over 1,100 signatures, with supporters arguing that demolishing the building would erase a piece of Halifax’s rich history. However, conflicting views exist, with historian David Hood’s book painting a picture of an historic underclass in the Upper Streets, while other historians question the accuracy of his portrayal.
The Halifax Heritage Advisory Committee had previously considered designating 1717 Brunswick Street as a heritage property, but as of now, the property remains undesignated. Despite council’s previous vote to set a date for a heritage hearing, the fate of the Alehouse building hangs in the balance as the city reviews Ramia’s demolition permit application. The controversy surrounding the potential demolition serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between progress and preservation in a city with a rich architectural and cultural heritage.
