Model maker Leslie Mann couldn’t have timed his latest project better.
Mann’s three architectural models of the front façade of the Royal George Theatre, which he built almost a year ago, have been getting some attention this fall in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with the theatre’s closure at the end of this year.
With the Royal George’s not-yet-approved demolition scheduled for early next year, these models may soon serve as lasting reminders of the 110-year-old building’s first life.
“I’m hoping that now with the whole situation with the building coming down, there should be some patrons or townspeople who are fond of the building,” he said. “Maybe they would like a replica they can put on the coffee table or up on the wall to remind them of it.”
Mann has spent more than 40 years as an architectural model maker. He built models for clients in the Toronto condo market, with his first major client being the CN Tower. His wife, Kathy, also worked with him in the business.
Living in St. Davids for the past eight years, Mann has developed strong ties to NOTL — it was the members of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, where he volunteers, who suggested he create a 3D model of the Royal George.
The first model took 100 hours of work to build, from putting together detailed drawings of what it would look like to the finishing touches.
Fortunately for Mann, winding down from his career gave him time to complete the project, free from deadlines. The subsequent models took less time, 70 to 80 hours.
Each model of the Royal George Theatre costs $950.
“A lot of people don’t appreciate the time it takes to put it together,” Mann said. “So, they don’t value it in the same way.”
While Mann is not a “big theatre-goer,” he has a deep appreciation for the Royal George as an architectural gem, much like other landmarks in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
He has also built models of Just Christmas, the year-round Christmas store on Queen Street, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery and the gazebo at Queen’s Royal Park.
Mann praised the Royal George’s design, calling it “a lovely building.” He believes the redesign of the theatre is “on the right track,” but, as a St. Davids resident, he feels its size, set to be 38,000 square feet above-ground, won’t impact him the way it will Old Town.
The new Royal George will have what’s called a “ghost façade” — the theatre will keep its current face on Queen Street while an entirely new building will be constructed behind it.
Mann said he’s unsure whether a ghost façade is the best option, but likes the idea of keeping the theatre’s front.
“If the new Royal George Theatre is built, I would probably not do a model of it,” Mann said. “I want to focus on buildings with heritage value.”
Mann’s models are valued by those who appreciate both art and architecture, he said. He believes the 3D models offer a unique way for people to experience structures in a way digital images cannot, including for projects that haven’t yet been built.
“Even though a lot of stuff is done digitally today, people don’t always believe what they see on a screen,” he said. “They know it can be manipulated. But when they see the model, they believe it’s an exact representation of what’s going to be built.”
