Burlington City Council has signaled its intention to formally designate the home at 977 Unsworth Avenue as a historic building under the Ontario Heritage Act. The home, known as the Albert Unsworth House, is uniquely designed and represents an important part of Aldershot’s history.
At a meeting this week of the Planning Committee, politicians directed staff to prepare the required bylaw. Burlington’s Heritage Advisory Committee had earlier endorsed the formal designation of the home.
“Happy to see this. The owners were cooperative. The neighbourhood will also be happy to see this. It’s a very unique, older home that used to house residents related to the greenhouses behind it, so happy to see that it’s going to be on the [historic] register and I’m sure the neighbourhood will agree,” commented local Councillor Kelvin Galbraith.
The home has been described as a two-storey Tudor-style house that was constructed in 1932 for Mr. Unsworth. “Albert was a pioneer in commercial greenhouse farming. He developed a unique tomato variety and supplied tomatoes for the royal train during King George VI’s visit to Canada,” according to the city staff report. The home is on property that has been the source of some controversy. The new owner succeeded in severing its large lot into three separate parcels, but this was only achieved after controversial Committee of Adjustment Hearings and an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. New houses are expected to be built on either side of the Unsworth home.
