ELORA – Pearle Hospitality has begun restoration of the Walser building, the final piece in its eight-building heritage revitalization as part of the Elora Mill redevelopment.
Already restored are the Elora Mill Hotel, the Elora Mill Spa, the James Ross House, Coach House, the Granary, the Elora Mill Chapel, and the Potter Foundry ruins.
The Walser building is a well-known landmark in Elora and has survived floods, fires and the rise and fall of industry.
“When we purchased the Walser Building in 2011, it was in rough shape – fragile, deteriorating, and in need of constant intervention just to keep it standing,” Elora Mill partner Aaron Ciancone and managing partner Jocelyn Maurice stated in a letter to the editor published in the Advertiser last week.
Through planning with the Centre Wellington Heritage Advisory Committee, unsafe building remnants were removed from the Walser building and construction fencing was installed in 2023 to secure the remains until restoration could begin.
“While the Walser restoration is an exciting milestone, it’s not the end of the overall projects,” Pearle project planner Mackenzie Meek stated in an email.
“We are committed to continuing our work with the township and moving forward with the broader vision for the site.”
The Elora Mill was acquired by Pearle Hospitality in 2010 and the lands south of the river purchased in 2011.
After years of restoration, the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa and associated restored heritage buildings reopened in 2018.
Last year the newly constructed Elora Mill Residences were completed and are now occupied.
Once restored, the Walser building is to have hotel rooms on the upper level and a casual dining restaurant with patio on the main level.
Meek said publicly accessible walkways are part of the overall vision for the property, including paths that extend to the river.
But it will be a while before that happens.
“The timing for opening these pedestrian walkways will be coordinated with construction activities to ensure they are safe and not located within an active construction zone,” she said.
