Realtor makes offer for heritage landmark
A local real estate agency has made an offer to acquire the former post office in Pointe-Claire Village, a landmark at the corner of Lakeshore Blvd. and Cartier Ave.
Canada Post shut down its outlet at the site last fall and then listed the commercial property on the market. The two-storey, 2,700-square-foot building dates to the 1930s. Its current valuation on the municipal tax roll is just over $300,000.
The commercial Crown corporation has a purchase and sale agreement with a buyer and expects the deal to close in May or June, a Canada Post spokesman, John Caines, confirmed.
The Gazette has learned the interested buyer for the former post office is Deakin Realty, which is now located a few blocks west on Lakeshore Rd.
“It’s the premier building in the village,” said owner John Deakin of the former post office, adding it would be a perfect fit for his realty company. “It’s the most impressive building. It’s a stand-alone building, it has tremendous presence. It’s beautiful and will be much more so when we are done with it.”
The agency intends to relocate to the former post office once Canada Post clears up title issues on the property, Deakin said. Holding up the deal is land bordering city parking spots that Canada Post thought it owned but apparently doesn’t, he said, adding this matter is not serious enough that it would negate a sale contract from being finalized.
The former post office at 250 Lakeshore Rd. is included on the city’s list of about 150 buildings with heritage interest, which notes the château-style building was designed by architect Hugh Vallance and was constructed in 1937.
Mayor Bill McMurchie said the city has not been approached with any potential redevelopment plans.
Meanwhile, the city is preparing to start a long-anticipated planning study of the village. A consultant is expected to be hired next month.
“The village redevelopment plan is presently under study,” the mayor said, adding there is a freeze on village zoning until it is completed. “The village was set aside in the urban plan. It required a redevelopment plan.”