THE ORANGE HALL, at 46 Mimico Avenue, was opened in 1919 but does not have a heritage designation.
The historic Mimico Orange Hall which has seen better days helping members of the community for more than 100 years may now be facing the wrecking ball.
The iconic property at 46 Mimico Avenue has been listed for sale sending a shockwave to area residents in the fast-changing Mimico community. The Hall was opened in 1919.
Real estate company Avison Young has listed the Orange Hall at $1,525,000.
The realtor said the lot size is .12 acres and that it now operates as a Montessori day care centre.
The Hall was previously the Mimico Baptist Church, which held its services there starting in 1920.
THE ORANGE HALL has had many uses during its 103-years. Photo by Tom Godfrey.
The building remains as a reminder of the Orange Order that was well organized throughout Ontario and Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
“Excellent commercial, residential location in close proximity to the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd,” according to the realtor. “Official Plan land use designation and zoning permit for future redevelopment potential and increased density.”
There are concerns by some concerned members of the community that another condo tower may be built on the site.
SIR EDWARD CARSON was an official of the Orange Hall in Mimico back in the day.
Les Veszlenyi, co-chair of the Mimico Lakeshore Community Network, said in an e-mail the hall is not listed on the Toronto Heritage Register and there is “no upcoming application for development.”
“After any sale, the new property owner would have to deal with the City concerning heritage designations to sew what development opportunities exist,” he wrote.
The Grand Orange Lodge of British America, more commonly known as the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada or simply Orange Order in Canada, is the Canadian branch of the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization that began in County Armagh in Ireland in 1795, according to research by historian Michael Harrison.
“The Hall played a large part in the history of Canada with many prominent members including four Prime Ministers, among them Sir John A. Macdonald and John Diefenbaker,” Harrison wrote.
The Grand Orange Lodge of British America was established in Toronto in 1830, and it expanded to more than 20 lodges in 1860, 31 in 1880, and 56 by 1895.
That was a time when Toronto was nicknamed “The Belfast of Canada,” according to historians. By 1844, six of Toronto’s ten aldermen were Orangemen, and in later years 20 of 23 mayors would be as well.
The building is dedicated to the memory of the men of Sir Edward Carson Loyal Orange Lodge of Mimico who died in World War I.