Restoration underway at Truro’s historic John Stanfield House
TRURO, N.S. — Paul Blenkhorn plans to restore one of Truro’s old inns to its former glory.
This fall, the Blenkhorn family purchased the former John Stanfield Inn and renovations are now underway.
“It was rough when I first came in,” said Blenkhorn. “It had been vandalized. It needs a lot of love but it’s a pretty incredible property.”
The Queen Anne revivalstyle building was constructed for John Stanfield in 1902. After Stanfield’s death, it went on to become a rooming house, an apartment building and then housed professional offices.
Blenkhorn made his first visit to the structure, which was on Elm Street, when he bought his first property. His lawyer and accountant had offices in it at that time.
In 1996, Loblaws purchased the building, which was on land designated to become parking space for the new Atlantic Superstore. To prevent it from being demolished, the company sold the building to Donald Keddy for $1. He was able to move it to his property, Keddy’s Inn and Convention Centre (currently the Inn on Prince), without disconnecting any street-side electrical wires.
The building arrived at its new home in July 1997 and opened as the John Stanfield Inn in September 1998. After operating as an inn, with fine dining, for a few years the business closed and the building sat empty, falling prey to time, weather, and vandals.
“I always wanted to restore an old house and didn’t like to see this falling apart,” said Blenkhorn. “I contacted Aquilini (Aquilini Properties LP)
It needs a lot of love but it’s a pretty incredible property.” Paul Blenkhorn
in June and asked about buying it. They told me to make them an offer, so, I offered $100,000 and they accepted it.”
He quickly went to work, clearing out items that had been destroyed, cleaning, having power and water reconnected, and doing repair work. There had been some old glass doorknobs in the building but those had been stolen. Luckily, Blenkhorn has been able to source replacements. He also plans to have a damaged stained-glass window, which was one of many broken by vandals, repaired.
Because it was used for fine dining, the building has a fairly new commercial kitchen, which is now being cleaned. A new electrical and fire system was also installed just before it opened as an inn.
“I plan to rent out two apartments and 10 rooms by the month and I’ll live here too,” said Blenkhorn. “There will be a common area where people can socialize. It’ll be a comfortable space.”
He plans to have the exterior painted next year. His daughters Danica, 12, and Mariah, 10, chose blue as the new colour.
He’s also making plans for landscaping and building a garage on the property.
Although he’s heard stories of hauntings connected with the building, he hasn’t seen or heard anything unusual.
“I always enjoyed working on old buildings and I bought this to enjoy so I’m taking my time,” he added.
He hopes to have some of the rooms ready for rent in the spring.