Two heritage-designated properties on Victoria Street will be demolished to make way for the new Royal George Theatre.
Niagara-on-the-Lake town council has given approval to tear down two houses on Victoria Street as part of the Shaw Festival’s plan to rebuild the 110-year-old theatre.
The properties at 178 and 188 Victoria St., next to the current Royal George, house Shaw Festival administrative offices and are listed in the town’s heritage registry.
Council made the decision Tuesday by approving minutes from the heritage committee’s Sept. 3 meeting, which included a recommendation to demolish the houses.
Cathy Cowan, communications consultant for the Shaw, said it’s planning for the Victoria Street buildings to come down in late fall, “pending approvals from the town.”
Shaw Festival executive director Tim Jennings, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said several conditions must still be met before the teardown can begin.
“We’ve still got more work to do from here,” said Jennings. “But it’s just another step in the process.”
One of those steps is submitting a commemoration plan to the municipal heritage committee for its Oct. 1 meeting.
“Staff will look at it sooner than that,” Jennings said.
The plan will outline how the Shaw Festival intends to honour the original Royal George Theatre.
Jennings said the festival also needs to secure site plan approval and a vibration study before moving forward.
The site plan would confirm the design and appearance of the new theatre, while the vibration study would assess whether demolition machinery can operate without exceeding acceptable vibration levels.
Overall, Jennings said the process is going smoothly, moving as expected so far.
“There’s always a bit of a question about timing. We’re trying really hard to stay out of tourist season and so trying to hit all the exact markers are the trick at this point. Plus or minus a week can make a difference at this point.”
The festival company plans to demolish the theatre itself early next year, with a new facility expected to be completed by summer 2028.
daniel@niagaranow.com
