After spending two years of being shrouded in scaffolding, Guelph’s the restored Petrie Building was ready for its close up as one of the features of Saturday’s Doors Open Guelph event.
The Petrie Building was one of 10 local sites open for the Ontario-wide Doors Open event, which allows the public to peek into architecturally-relevant buildings.
Sandra Miller, who is herself an architectural historian, made the trip from London specifically for the chance to see inside the renovated Petrie Building.
“I had seen it years ago and stopped dead in my tracks saying, ‘what is that?’ because it’s such a unique building,” said Miller. “I volunteer with the Heritage Foundation in London, Ontario, so I was interested. I have been following the whole project. It’s fascinating.”
Jeff Klompus was the site captain and coordinator of his team of a dozen Meridian Credit Union employees who were among the volunteers leading tours in the building.
The volunteers received an orientation about a week prior to Saturday’s event.
“The two people who are lovingly restoring the building joined us (for the orientation) to give us context of the historical nature of the building, the work they have done to keep things intact and restored,” said Klompus.
He said the highlight of the tour is the fourth floor, now home of Modern Bride.
“Folks get a chance to look toward the big church and have this spectacular view of Guelph,” he said.
Also of note, said Klompus, are the little preserved details, like restored floors, windows and mouldings — as well as some surprises.
“The tour guides are pointing out some graffiti that goes back quite a while,” he said.
The Petrie Building was included among the 2017 Doors Open Guelph sites, but Saturday was the first time it was able to be viewed in its finished state.
Doors Open Guelph is a program of Guelph Arts Council.
The scaffolding at the site was removed in January. A previous estimate for the restoration was about $2.5 million, not including the purchase of the 130-year-old building by Tyrcathlen Partners.
Some additions were added during the restoration, but Miller said the integrity of the building was not compromised by doing so.
“It’s the best of both worlds. You get the new technology and infrastructure, as well as the new addition and then you get the best of this beautiful old building — the hardwood floors, the big windows, the high ceilings — and this facade is just stunning,” said Miller.
”Downtown Guelph has some really beautiful old heritage buildings and a really interesting mix of old and new — but this is really unique. Kudos to everybody, this is obviously a big project,” she added.
