Ottawa Architecture: Buildings in Hintonburg/Mechanicsville: A Historical Building Exhibit

Architecture & Heritage

Recognized for its historical significance and unique architectural character, sections of 7 Hinton Avenue were designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value, a status confirmed by the Ottawa City Council through By-law 2012-134 on April 25, 2012. The building showcases features of Early 20th Century Industrial Architecture, a style now rare in Hintonburg. This style is characterized by its functional design, open floor plans, high ceilings, and use of raw materials like concrete, brick, and/or metal, all tailored to the specialized systems, equipment, and needs that revolve around the industrial operation.

Ontario Heritage Act



Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, the following criteria are present in 7 Hinton Avenue:
  1. The property has design value or physical value because it is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method. 
  2. The property has historical value or associative value because it has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community. 
  3. The property has historical value or associative value because it yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture.
For more information on Criteria 2 and 3, go to the ‘Historical Timeline’ or ‘Paper & Pulp Industry’ tabs to learn about the historical and associative value found in 7 Hinton Avenue.

Designated Features

Only a section of the building, the original L-shaped structure, meets Criteria 1 for designation, citing design or physical value reflecting the Early 20th Century Industrial Architecture style. The designated architectural features that uphold this value include: the “two and a half storey masonry construction”, the gable roof, and the windows.

Masonry

The masonry of the original 1912 and the 1919 building addition was constructed using silica-lime brick. This cost-efficient material was fire retardant but softer than traditional clay brick, making it less durable to the elements. Through efforts to prevent further brick decay, the building was painted early in its history.

 

Gable Roof

The L-shaped gable roof is a good visual indicator of the older sections of the building in comparison to later additions. This also functions as an identifier for what areas of 7 Hinton are under designation. The L-shaped roof covers the portion of the building along Armstrong Street and Hamilton Avenue. It showcases a good example of 20th century industrial architecture with its pitched standing seam metal roof.

 

Arched Windows

The regular pattern of segmentally arched window openings is designated due to its expression of the early 20th Century industrial architecture style. These shallow arched windows are found on the older L-shaped two and a half storey section of 7 Hinton, making them unique and important to the character of the building.

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