NEOGOTHIC KNOCKOUT: Ballinahinch Circa 1850

“Ballinahinch is one of the last remaining buildings of a compound of stone 1850s estates that ran across along the lower shoulder of the escarpment. It was an absolutely stunning district in its day,”—Nina Chapple.

316 James Street South, Hamilton, ON

I think I have a 'BRICK' crush on this condo.  Well, not really but it is ridiculously stunning in character and boasts some SERIOUS history (see below). 

Neogothic in architecture,  Ballinahinch is one of Hamilton’s most significant castles (alongside Inglewood,  Rock Castle and Dundurn) and now the opportunity to own a piece of it is yours! A two bedroom condo has recently been listed for $329,900.

LEFT: Ballinahinch; TOP RIGHT: Rock Castle; BOTTOM RIGHT: Inglewood

The unit features 12 foot ceilings, hardwood floors,  large windows, a marble mantle and the icing on the  cake is a breathtaking private patio accessed by a storybook Gothic doorway featuring inset stained glass panels. 

If you crave character and city living this is the one. Seize the opportunity and become king or queen of your castle today! 

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Photos by Tom Vogel, www.vogel-creative.com

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FRESH FACTS:

Ballinahinch was built for Hamilton merchant Aeneas Sage Kennedy in the 1850's

Designed by Toronto architect William Thomas , who also designed St. Paul's Presbyterian Church a few years earlier.

In 1870 the house was sold to Edward Martin, a prominent local lawyer and housed the Martin family for 46 years.

It was temporarily used as a hospital during the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918-1919

After World War I and its employ as a hospital, the house was sold to William Southam, the publisher of the Spectator. He rented it to Frederick I. Ker, another newspaperman, who succeeded him as publisher of the Spectator. After World War II, taxes rose and the house became too expensive for a single family. It was divided into apartments.

In the mid 1940s the infamous Evelyn Dick kept apartment No. 3 at what was then called Henson Park Apartments to entertain male friends. She rented under the name Evelyn White. Author Brian Vallée in The Torso Murder: The Untold Story of Evelyn Dick, wrote “the apartment was used as a private hideaway where her male companions could be entertained.”

 In 1980 it was purchased by a firm of architects who preserved the interesting features of the house while creating several condominium apartments.

Sources:

http://historicalhamilton.com/building-material/stone/ballinahinch/

http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/healthcarehistory/places/influenza.html

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/2175019-ballinahinch