NOTL’s historic Randwood Estate on market for $19M
Current owners had wanted to convert site into hotel and convention centre
The historic Randwood Estate is back on the market with a price tag of $19 million.
The 13-plus acre historical estate, at 144 John St. E. in Niagara-on-theLake, features a home built in 1825, along with mature trees and plant life. It currently belongs to Benny Marotta, who purchased it in 2016 along with 176 John St. E., the lot next door. He paid $8 million for both.
Marotta, who owns Solmar Development Corp. and Two Sisters Resorts, had proposed converting the property into a six-storey hotel and convention centre, with two levels of underground parking.
It was a development that some in the community opposed.
During a packed meeting at the NOTL Community Centre in January 2018, neighbours expressed concerns over potential destruction of significant heritage features of the
property, including historic trees.
While the proposed hotel and convention centre never took off, Marotta said the unique heritage of the property was part of the draw.
“Our intention was always to preserve the integrity of this heritage property and enhance its already
robust landscape for guests and the community to enjoy, while creating a beautiful establishment that would elevate hospitality in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” he said.
In an emailed statement, Marotta said the decision to put the estate on the market wasn’t easy, but seemed the only option given the current stalemate between the town and the citizens’ group Save Our Randwood Estate (SORE), which had long opposed Marotta’s proposal for a hotel and convention centre.
“Arriving at this decision was very difficult, but it is apparent that there is no path to amicable discussion with either the Town or SORE.”
In an emailed statement, SORE representative Lyle Hall said he is skeptical of Marotta’s intentions in selling the property.
“We’re not persuaded that his listing of 144/176 John St. is sincere. SORE is not opposed to development on the Rand Estate.
“We are, however, opposed to the wanton destruction of heritage features, clear cutting of trees, and the development of a structure that is completely out of scale with the surrounding land uses as well as a vast departure from the approved land use.”
Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero said news the estate would be back on the market came as a surprise, but the town will continue to prioritize the protection of heritage now and in the future.
“The town’s position has always been that we need to determine heritage before we can move forward on discussing any type of development, and that will continue to be our position.”
Disero said she plans to meet with town legal representatives to determine what steps, if any, will be taken.
“The town needs to come to some sort of discussion on if there is anything else we need to do at this point. We just need to get a word from our legal counsel on what, if any, next steps there are for the town.”
The estate is listed for sale through Sotheby’s Realty at a price of $19 million. Liesa Lepp is the listing agent.
“The Randwood Estate is an iconic piece of Niagara that feels like a step back in time. It is an experience unto itself,” reads the listing description. “The commercial zoning provides an unparalleled development opportunity in the form of a world-class hotel, conference facility and spa/resort.”
The property has had a number of prominent owners over the past two centuries, including Peter Russell, a member of the executive council of Upper Canada; American Civil War general Henry Lansing; Capt. Robert Melville of the Niagara Harbour and Dock Company fame; the Rand family; and more recently, world-class artist Trisha Romance.
Throughout the years, it has been used as a private home, a summer home, as well as a think tank for the Niagara Institute and a school of philosophy for a religious organization.