Historic Saint Andrews dormitory demolished, with news of new apartments to come

It was the end of an era in Saint Andrews, with the demolition of O'Brien House, a building that has stood behind the Algonquin Hotel for more than a century and once housed hotel employees.

"There's a lot of people that came through that building over the years that have a lot of good memories of, you know, summers in Saint Andrews, meeting friends, sometimes, you know husbands, wives," said Saint Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson.

"There's a lot of history tied into that, and when you look at the building kind of being demolished, it does bring back … memories."

According to the Canada's Historic Places website, O'Brien House was built in 1917 by Canadian Pacific Railway, the then-owners of the Algonquin Hotel.

Saint Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson says the building planned for hotel employees will take some pressure off of the rental market in town. (Submitted by Brad Henderson)

The building was one of the Tudor Revival dormitories used over the years by the seaside resort.

The dorm was for male staff only.

The building had a common room with 32 bedrooms upstairs, housing two men each, the website says.

In 1929, Matthews House was built and had units for women, as well as housing the powerhouse and recreation centre.

Henderson said O'Brien House was cordoned off more than a decade ago, and it just wasn't financially possible to repair it.

"It literally got to the point where there was nothing left to save," he said.

Images made available earlier show renderings for the apartments that is expected to replace O'Brien House. (Town of Saint Andrews website)

In place of the building, Henderson said, the plan is for a new apartment building with 20 units, designated specifically for Algonquin workers and their families.

InnVest Hotels, the Toronto-based company that bought the Algonquin last year, will foot the bill, he said.

Henderson said if all the approvals are given without a hitch, construction could begin this fall, with the goal of having staff move in next summer.

"When the Algonquin Resort invests in staffing, it helps the entire community," he said.

"Having 20 new apartments for their staff, that's 20 new units that people aren't looking for in the community."

Henderson said there have been mixed reactions to the demolition of O'Brien House.

The Algonquin Resort would be footing the bill for the new staff apartments. The resort was taken over by new ownership last summer. (CBC)

Some people are excited about the new apartment building, and others wonder why a building with history would be torn down.

While it's sad to see the building go, Henderson said, the news is positive, given a new building will provide needed housing to families.