BARRA CASTLE
It came so quickly. Almost before anyone - especially lovers of heritage - were able to respond. At a August 31 meeting, members of Heritage Kitchener (the city’s municipal heritage committee) approved a motion (in a split vote) for the demolition of Barra
Castle; on September 7, a mere 7 days later, a Committee of Kitchener City Council approved this action; and on the September 20th, City Council officially approved the demolition.
Kitchener City Council moved to demolish in spite of Barra Castle being categorized by Heritage Kitchener as an “A” Significant Property meaning it has “protection and conservation priority.” [Ontario Heritage Tool Kit – Heritage Property Evaluation”]
Barra Castle was built by Molly Marquette in 1930, and, it is claimed by some that she modeled it after her childhood home in Russia. The structure is a rare local example of neo-Gothic architecture with crenelated parapets and a gothic arched entrance way.
To the 1980s, it was prestigious place to live. Former residents described the castle’s interior in glowing terms. Some apartments had up to 2000 square feet of living area. There were Moorish archways, tiled bathroom floors, old sinks and tubs, sunrooms, hardwood floors, high ceilings, original trim and detailed wooden banisters in the stairways. [To view exterior and interior photos google “barra castle kitchener.” ]
Although the castle was initially used as a private residence, rental apartments were built eventually added at the back of the building. In 2007, the last tenants were evicted after inspectors found serious fire and electrical code violations. The power and gas were shut off. Since that time, the building has been boarded up with no heat or electricity resulting in further deterioration. Break-ins by vagrants did not help the situation. Last year it was reported that vagrants may have started a fire in the building.
Not too long ago, Heritage Kitchener voted in favour of the owner’s plans to restore approximately 3000 square feet at the front of the building, while at the same time removing the back areas. This project was to be done in three stages: first, demolish the rear sections; then, sometime in 2010, renovate and restore the front section; and, in 2011, construct a new building at the back. However the owner would be required to assume all restoration costs.
It was going to cost in excess of a million dollars to restore Barra Castle according to the owner’s HIA study (heritage impact assessment). A City funded study supported the owner’s conclusions. The building’s structural damage was too severe to make Barra Castle a profitable commercial enterprise. Reconstructing the front portion of the building with modern materials would cost considerably less.
Barra Castle no longer exists except in our memory
Barra Castle - “Rest in Peace”
