Essex approves heritage designation for former Imperial Bank of Canada building

The Town of Essex has approved a heritage designation for a historical building.

On Tuesday night, Essex Town Council approved a recommendation to designate 18 Talbot St. north, the former Bennigan’s and Imperial Bank of Canada building.

Council voted 7-1 in favour of the designation. Ward One Coun. Katie McGuire-Blais casted the lone nay vote.

According to town staff, the owner of the property was “happy” with the proposal and there were no objections.

The decision triggers a 30-day appeal period for those who may oppose the heritage designation.

The former Imperial Bank of Canada, later known as Bennigan’s, first opened in December 1947, replacing the town’s original branch with a larger, more modern building.

This building was designed in the Art Deco Style, which is rare in Essex.

The building has been vacant since February 2020 as the structure of the build is currently listed as unsafe.

The approval of the designation could pave the way for the building’s owner to access funds under the Town of Essex Heritage Grant Program.

Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said this report first came to council in August 2024 but was deferred.

“Council wanted to have more information, so now we have more information outlining the cultural heritage aspects of the building, and council will be asked to go further with designating this property, or not designating this property. And I think it’s a good idea to designate our natural heritage buildings in our downtown core,” said Bondy.

She added, “Perhaps the owner now with a designation can access the grant, and maybe rejuvenate that building for it to become usable. It does have a unique look in our downtown core, it has that Essex Branch on its facade, and it fits in nicely, and we don’t want to lose it before it’s too late.”

Bondy said she’s in support of approving the designation.

“Once a heritage property is demoed, you never get that back. I’m in support, we’ll see what the balance of council is. It is a little bit contentious, that’s why we put it off back in August to get more information. There is something to say too for private properties, having land owners being able to do what they want with their own private property.”

The Town has 31 heritage designated properties.

— With files from AM800’s Meagan Delaurier and Rob Hindi