The historic Ford Block built in 1894 is the only example left in Sackville of a three-storey, wooden, late 19th century commercial bldg
The 132-year-old Main Street building that houses Goya’s Pizza and Chirps Bar along with several other small businesses and apartments has been sold to AIL CEO Mike Wilson for $1.4 million.
Property records show that he bought it on March 31st through his company Right Coast Realty (Sackville) Limited.
Wilson said through a spokesman that he did not want to comment on any plans he might have for the building, known as the Ford Block, when Warktimes tried to reach him today.
Warktimes has learned that both Wilson and Sackville developer John Lafford were seen wearing white hard hats as they inspected the building in late August or early September last year.
The two are partners in the nearby seven-storey, residential/commercial building that is currently under construction on nearby York Street.
Mike Wilson (L) & John Lafford appeared at town hall in 2024 seeking the lifting of downtown height restrictions on their York St bldg. Photo: Erica Butler
So far, John Lafford has not responded to an e-mail request for comment.
Although it’s not known if the two intend to be partners in any project involving the Ford Block, property records show that JN Lafford Realty Inc. owns the adjacent building that houses the Corner Drug Store and Platinum Realty.
Sackville repealed its heritage conservation bylaw in 2018 allowing downtown property owners to demolish or alter the look of downtown buildings without having to apply for a special permit.
Ford Block history
According to Tantramar Heritage Trust, George E. Ford built the block as a department store in 1894 with three main sections, one for groceries, another for clothing and a third for hardware and furniture. It also had a tailor shop, several display rooms and by 1902, there were 25 full-time employees.
The late historian Bill Hamilton writes that there were office suites on the upper floors and a public hall that was the site of the historic meeting that approved the incorporation of Sackville as a town on January 12, 1903.
“For a number of years following,” Hamilton writes, “the regular Town Council meetings were held in this building.”
He also points out that the Ford Block appears in a 1959 painting entitled “Milk Truck” by Alex Colville. The painting shows a Stedmans and a Simpsons on the building’s main floor.
Hamilton writes in terms of history and architecture, the Ford Block is an important part of Sackville’s heritage:
One testament to the skill of its builders and later renovators is that the exterior is essentially the same as that depicted in a photograph taken in 1894. Further, the classic architectural lines that attracted Alex Colville in 1959 have not been unduly desecrated by
modernization.There is an important lesson here for all who may be interested in architectural preservation.It is quite possible for structurally sound buildings to retain the essentials of their external facade while permitting interior remodeling to meet contemporary needs.
Hamilton’s piece appeared in the Sackville Tribune-Post in 2001, the year a plaque marking the building’s long history was attached to one of its entrances. To read his article, click here.
For further information from Tantramar Heritage Trust, click here.
This is good. That building is in rough shape and is an eyesore. Full steam ahead to the 21st century!
Maybe Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lafford will stop with this desire to have Sackville buildings look like Dieppe/Moncton and build to keep the unique appearances OF Sackville, even if the interior is ‘new’.
Keep the styles, keep the red sandstone bricks/stones. If a building has to come down, take pictures/consider historical images as the source for external appearances even as the internal is updated.
At least they should make it SEEM that they give a damn about the town’s history and not have us become part of Moncton/Dieppe before we have a say.
Where is the red sandstone on this building? You’re just making it up. It’s wood with vinyl siding lol there is no heritage
LOL all you like, it won’t change the fact that the Ford Block is a heritage Victorian commercial building that has been part of Sackville for 132 years. Whether it’s stone or wood has nothing to do with the Ford Block’s heritage value.
https://tantramarheritage.ca/ford-block/
“Making it up”? Making what up, that the downtown has buildings with red sandstone/bricks?
Obviously you’ve never been to the downtown of Sackville in the past or the present.
“Yes, red sandstone is used on the exterior of buildings on Bridge Street in Sackville, NB, most notably on the Wood Block (built 1914-1915), which features medium grey or red sandstone as part of its exterior design.”
Not only Wood Block, but Copp Block, Powell Block, the old Vogue Cinema, Miller Block Hanson Block I and II, all have the red sandstone I reference.
I never said THIS block had the stones, rather it was an overall statement that the downtown was known FOR the blocks, and my personal opinion is that to keep with the historical vibe OF the downtown, buildings should have these blocks as part of the external appearance. But I also didn’t just include the sandstone. I said if a building has to come down, take pictures to make sure whatever goes up in its place KEEPS the previous aesthetic of the town buildings externally and NOT to make them ‘modernized’ echoes of Dieppe/Moncton.
According to the historical images, the block originally was just externally just wood. So THIS specific block would:
– decorative modillions enhancing the cornice and entablature, directly above the bottom floor windows and doors;
– contrasting color used on storefront window frames, entablature and cornice;
– recessed entry ways, one in main three-story building, one in each of the two-story wings;
– windows are set symmetrically in building, half-moon on fourth floor, two narrow double hung windows on third floor, and three part window framed by narrow double hung windows on second floor, with bottom floor featuring large storefront windows ;
– some use of decorative columns outlining the three separate sections of the building;
– modern awnings, commonplace in the Victorian period, over windows.
– https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5403&pid=0
THAT is in keeping with the heritage of the building.
Does that explain it better or are you still grasping at understanding what was said?
The people who care about heritage are losers. You want to represent sackvill3 with ugly buildings that are falling apart? They’re disgusting inside and out.
Wow… just what did heritage to do you to make you so mad?
You’ve limited your view of heritage an awful lot, Bruno. Do you need something? Do you need a Snickers?
I used to live in this building when I went to MTA. It’s disgusting. Moldy, falling apart. Most importantly IT IS UNSAFE. Do you remember the fire that took the other half of the building 25 years ago? The fire that took Joey’s 5 years ago? The fire above the sushi place? All old heritage buildings, all death traps. It’s a miracle nobody died. These buildings MUST come down. It’s a safety hazard. While you sit at home and clutch your pearls at the thought of losing another UGLY building, we want safety and progress.
The building will be lost as a new larger one will rise up to seven stories with even more apartments and desirable ground floor downtown commercial/retail space which is another big win for Lafford/Wilson. Ford Block will however always be visible as it is featured behind Alex Colville’s smiling face on the Sackville Arts Wall.
Onward and upward.