The Ancaster company that owns the old Elora Mill Inn wants to re-open the iconic building within three years and extend the village’s downtown business core to the south side of the Grand River.
“It’s not even fair to call it a renovation,” Matthew Opferkuch, managing director of Landmark Group, said of his company’s plans for the mill.
“We really want to make Elora a destination … and give people a reason to come here year round.”
Landmark Group, which purchased the property in December 2010 and closed the business due to its financial losses and “state of general disrepair”, plans to spend millions to restore the mill to a “world-class inn.”
Opferkuch said the plan is contingent on his company’s purchase of the Little Folks property across the river, which will be used as an extension of the inn and also to house a small residential development – likely condominiums – and a commercial development that could include galleries, shops and other businesses.
The mill itself would be expanded from 21 to between 50 and 70 rooms, Opferkuch explained, adding the inn would also include two restaurants (one fine dining and one a pub), a spa and gym.
Landmark Group held a private meeting on June 28 to unveil its plans and to receive feedback from about 40 representatives within Centre Wellington, including the township, businesses and other local stakeholders.
Opferkuch hopes the meeting will also help to dispel any rumours circulating in the community about the site of the old mill. He said he is well aware of the desire of many residents to preserve the existing pathway along the river.
“It is very much top of mind for us, as it is the residents of Elora,” he said.
He added those wanting a hint of what the Elora proposal might look like can visit the company’s other projects, including the Ancaster Mill, Cambridge Mill and Spencer’s at the Waterfront in Burlington.
The choice to come to Elora was an easy one, given its idyllic setting and the location of the old mill, Opferkuch told the Advertiser.
“Elora’s almost preordained,” he said. “We look for landmark properties and properties that are irreplaceable.”
Many residents privy to some of his company’s plans are very enthusiastic about the prospect for the sites, he said.
However, he stressed the plans depend on the sale of the Little Folks property which, if approved, should go through in November.
“That is contingent on a few zoning challenges, which I think we’ll overcome,” said Opferkuch.
Brett Salmon, Centre Wellington’s planning director, said the current owners of the former toy factory have been in the process of seeking an official plan amendment from the county for a few years.
Salmon said that property is classified as “future development” and any township zoning would be dependent on what the owners propose there.
“We’re waiting to see what Landmark is proposing,” said Salmon, adding he planned to attend the June 28 information meeting.
The original mill site is zoned commercial, Salmon said, and thus would accommodate the uses proposed by Landmark Group. The company would still have to address several other issues with the township, such as setbacks and parking, and, depending on the scope of work at the two sites, it may also require approval from the Grand River Conservation Authority, Salmon added.
Opferkuch said provided the sale goes through, Landmark Group plans to break ground next summer and expects to complete the plans by 2015.
