Demolition of Vintage Row buildings underway in downtown Halifax

The demolition of a vibrant row of buildings on Queen and Birmingham streets in Halifax has commenced, marking the end of an era for several local businesses that once called these structures home. Among the establishments that were housed in these downtown properties were Woozles Children’s Bookstore, the Neighbourhood Witch General Store, and Elsie’s Consignment Clothing.

As construction workers worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clean up the debris left behind after the buildings were torn down, a fence was erected to block access to the property. For Maureen Elsie Court, the owner of Elsie’s, the past week has been filled with mixed emotions. Having operated her business on Queen Street for 25 years, seeing the buildings demolished was a poignant moment for her. She expressed, “I kept telling myself that if nobody’s ever going to be in them again, it’s probably better that they’re just gone. But when I actually saw them gone … it felt very sad.”

The row of houses on Queen Street, affectionately known as Vintage Row, held a special place in the hearts of many locals. Court reminisced about how people would come downtown to admire and take pictures of the quaint buildings. Despite their age and lack of ornate features, these structures held historical significance for the city.

After being forced to vacate last year, Elsie’s relocated to nearby Grafton Street. The fate of the buildings was sealed in 2019 when Halifax regional council voted against designating them as heritage properties. Concerns raised by owners about the potential impact on property value and development options ultimately led to the decision.

According to a report by Halifax’s heritage advisory committee, the majority of the buildings dated back to pre-Confederation times, with the newest structure constructed between 1879 and 1889. The rich history and architectural charm of these buildings made them a beloved part of Halifax’s urban landscape.

In 2020, a sizable parcel of land between Birmingham Street and Queen Street, advertised as a mixed-use development site, was put up for sale. The property is now owned by a numbered company controlled by John Ghosn, the owner of Enqore Developments. Despite the change in ownership, the future plans for the site remain uncertain.

Coun. Laura White, representing the Halifax South Downtown district, expressed her lack of knowledge regarding the upcoming development on the site. Efforts to reach Ghosn for comment were unfruitful at the time of publication.

The demolition of these historic buildings marks the end of an era for the local community and paves the way for new developments in downtown Halifax. While the landscape may change, the memories and legacy of Vintage Row will forever be etched in the hearts of those who frequented these beloved establishments.