The Town of Newmarket is preparing to breathe a new life and design into the historic Mulock House.
The town announced that contractor Clifford Restoration Limited will begin work to restore and revitalize the house starting this month. As part of the ongoing Mulock Park project, the town plans to make the house a centrepiece of the new park, as well as make it a space for the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said it is a place that has sparked interest in the community for generations.
“Now, we’re transforming a beautiful private residence, which once hosted social parties and even royalty and a prime minister, into a public space for everyone in the community to enjoy,” Taylor said in a news release.
The three-storey house built in 1871 will be “thoughtfully restored and renovated” into a new community space with a cafe, works from the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Indigenous and Canadian collections, and spaces such as a public lounge.
The town approved $11.5 million for the restoration in 2023 as part of the overall park budget, to be funded through grants, development charges and reserves.
Heritage design specialists +VG Architects worked to make the new design that "restores and renews the historical character elements,” the town said. The building will also be made accessible with an elevator, ramps and universal washrooms.
The town has already done some work on the building, with roof repairs and electrical work completed in 2023.
Construction on the Mulock Park project has been ongoing for several months, with the town planning to open the park to the public in 2026.
More information on the project status is available at heynewmarket.ca/mulockpark.
