Ontario Abandoned Places will be rebranded as Ominous Abandoned Places

Petrie Building 1882

Closed Commercial in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Apr 28 2013

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Recent status Closed
Location # 6757

The Petrie Building in downtown Guelph is a prime example of the term, demolition by neglect. The present owners, of this building and Apollo Eleven restaurant[Active], at street level, have no concern as to the rest of the building and its state of disrepair and cant afford to renovate, they say. I say they made a commitment to this building when they bought it. This building is just a violation away from being considered hazardous and ordered destroyed by city inspectors, and so the time to document this building is now. This building has only gained an architectural and historical interest level, with just the city of Guelph, in 1990, at this point, and not a National Historic site. The Petrie building was built in 1882 by architect John Day for Alexander Bain Petrie, a pharmacist. Its bold cornice on, top of the building, of a large mortar and pestle lets everyone know of its original purpose of a pharmacy. There are only three buildings in Canada erected before 1890 with this stamped galvanized iron facade. The other two buildings like this are the Victoria Hall in Hamilton and the Empire Hotel in Winnipeg. The 3 floors above the restaurant are abandoned and closed, with no access to the small fourth floor[maybe only elevator access?] and the third floor access is only from the Kelly building next door. Petrie sold the building shortly before his death in 1921 and the present owners the Agelakoses, have had it since 1976. The windows above are boarded up[ except two half round ones on the third floor front and skylight 3rd floor roof] and painted with now worn and peeling green paint. This building is constructed out of stone and timber. A very rare Video link inside as as owners are extremely selective and is sealed up very well ; http://vimeo.com/52528863 and in the links column. Graffiti from the early 1900s to the 1960s can be seen in this video as well as old medical posters. The more people to know about this the better and maybe a wealthy member might come forward in the future. UPDATE; http://imgur.com/r/Guelph/xpxz9 Inside skylight on third floor. .........................UPDATE.............IT"S GETTING ReNOVATED!!!!!!!!!!! see last link

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5 years ago

I am going to have to be dropped off here one day and maybe get a tour of their brewery on each floor ........and ride home;)

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7 years ago

GOOD NEWS !!! http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/guelph-s-petrie-building-restoration-to-start-soon-1.2988780 Really really good news

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9 years ago

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/new-buyer-has-big-plans-for-guelph-s-historic-petrie-building-1.2271485

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10 years ago

Added close ups, top and rear shots . The 131 year old galvanive can only do so much to protect this incredible structure without help. Thanks all , and ya that video took me a while to find.

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10 years ago

it would be sad to see a place like that go, the craftsmanship is incredible.

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10 years ago

What a grand looking building!! great pictures!!!!!!!!!

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10 years ago

Truly an amazing building. Its a shame that the owners lack imagination. This place would make for some killer lofts.

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10 years ago

Guelphites started a Facebook page and were granted access to shoot the interior. I have posted the link.

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10 years ago

Wow, awesome place. What cities need to start doing is properly designating historical buildings. Then, if they are neglected, take over the maintenance & then pass on the costs to the owners.