Clarington Intends to Designate 33 King Street West as Heritage Property
The Municipality of Clarington announced on July 7, 2025, its intention to designate 33 King Street West in Bowmanville as a property of historical and architectural value under the Ontario Heritage Act.
According to the municipal notice, the proposed designation recognizes 33 King Street West for its Italianate architectural style and its significance as the last remaining structure from the Andrew Block in Bowmanville's commercial core.
Municipal records state that 33 King Street West is a two-storey brick building completed in 1883. It was one of three attached commercial properties known as the Andrew Block, built between 1881 and 1883 by Reginald B. Andrew and Joseph Ruse. The property was originally owned by Annie Smith Anderson, who operated a millinery and fancy goods store from 1883 until around 1888. The building continued to house businesses owned and operated by women for 65 years. Alice Ann Ives ran a merchant tailoring shop from 1888 to 1921, followed by Edith Scobell with an insurance agency from 1921 to 1948. Other subsequent businesses included a television repair shop, a paint and wallpaper shop, florists, and a café.
The municipal notice lists architectural details of 33 King Street West, including its rectangular plan, flat roof, ornate parapet with paired end brackets and a birdhouse motif, decorated cornice with moulded trim and gingerbread, and upper windows with segmentally arched openings and a decorative thistle keystone. The storefront features an asymmetrical entrance and a large display window set in wood panelling.
The other two buildings of the original Andrew Block—25 and 29-31 King Street West—were destroyed by fire in 2008. Municipal records indicate that 33 King Street West was damaged in the same fire but was restored.
According to the notice, the property forms part of Bowmanville’s historic commercial street wall and exhibits massing and decorative details consistent with other 19th-century commercial buildings in the area.
Residents wishing to object to the proposed designation have 30 days from the publication of the notice to submit written objections to the Clerk of the Municipality. If an objection is filed, Clarington Council will consider the objection and decide on the designation within 90 days after the period ends.