Cobalt Station, located at 1 Argentine St, was built in 1910, according to the Ontario Heritage Trust website, which corresponds to the beginnings of rail transportation in northern Ontario.
Today, it is possible to acquire this unique building displayed at $590,000. Yes, the station is for sale!
About a year ago, the sale of this property was entrusted to Suzanne Othmer, a real estate agent in New Liskeard.
“The Town of Cobalt inherited the station and kept it for several years. There was an interpretation centre and a war museum there. When the City decided to sell it, a businessman bought it for his wife. She wanted to open an antique shop. Eventually, health issues changed the plans and the property is still for sale."
For Othmer, who has more than 30 years of experience in the Temiskaming region, this type of property does not sell overnight. It takes patience, time, and energy to find customers interested in this type of purchase.
"It's not for everyone. The top is 900 square feet and the [ground floor] is 5,600 square feet. There is therefore the possibility of making two accommodations at the top or a very large apartment. The bottom could be commercial, such as a restaurant, brewery, or art centre, for example. The place is sometimes rented for receptions, including weddings since the cachet is conducive to this kind of event.
“There are a lot of people from Toronto who came to visit. For now, there is someone from Alberta who is interested, but what is difficult for this type of property is borrowing money. Banks don't want to be stuck with a train station."
This is not the first time that Othmer has gone off the beaten track to sell exceptional properties.
“I already had Haileybury prison for sale and a slaughterhouse around here. I also had the agricultural college for sale. These big properties, it takes a lot of work to sell them."
Some details about the architecture
This century-old building is the work of Toronto architect John M. Lyle. The latter has designed more than 100 of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the Toronto area, but also across Canada.
“The station is a long, low, one-and-a-half-story brick building with a wide overhanging hipped roof, supported by tall wooden corbels. The imposing roof is pierced with pedimented dormers and a Flemish gable forming a central block that breaks the roof line and marks the location of the main entrance, as well as the former office of the station master. The interior has imposing roof trusses and a wooden ceiling."
This is the description that can be read on the website of the Ontario Heritage Trust. This is a typical station model from the early 20th century. The architecture is inspired by the arts and crafts movement and the neo-Tudor style.
Suzanne Othmer specifies that the building is very solid and that it has undergone many renovations over time, including major electrical work. The doors and windows are original. “In summer, it is possible to open the large doors and windows. With the view of the lake and the gentle wind coming in, it is absolutely beautiful."
In 1979, the Town of Cobalt placed the building under the protection of the Ontario Heritage Act, and in 1993, the Ontario Heritage Trust established a heritage conservation easement on the building. The exterior appearance of the building cannot, therefore, be modified. However, the interior can be renovated and redone according to the tastes and uses of the next owner.
The Prince of Wales, who would become King Edward VIII, stopped at Cobalt Railway Station in 1919. At that time, representing his father, King George V, he was visiting the O'Brien mine.
Dominique Roy is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Reflet Témiscamien. LJI is funded by the Government of Ontario.
