Historic Toronto hotel and tavern for sale for close to $10 million

A historic property in Toronto’s west-end that has functioned as a hotel and beloved local watering hole has a new lease on life as a mixed-use building with apartments and enough ground-floor space to, once again, offer beer to the thirsty masses. 

A few days ago, the old Blue Goose Tavern, located at 1 Blue Goose Street in the city’s Mimico neighbourhood, hit the market for $9,620,000. 

According to the listing, the power of sale opportunity offers a buyer a chance to own “a unique piece of Toronto history.” The heritage building, which is almost fully renovated following several years of redevelopment (and rebranding as The New Goose), sits on a 25,000-square-foot site and boasts 5,000 square feet of ground-floor and lower-level commercial space that can accommodate a brewery, restaurant or shops. 

The property also offers 18 residential bachelor and one-bedroom units spread across the upper three floors. 

The building itself has a storied history. According to a 2017 City of Toronto report, the lot was acquired by an individual named Charles Henry Vint in 1890 and in 1892, he opened the Windsor Hotel. In 1905, the hotel, then under the proprietorship of W.F. (William) Young, was destroyed by a fire.

It was rebuilt and reopened in 1909. 

According to the document, the building remained a hotel for some time, undergoing several name changes over the years. In 1913, it was called the Ritchie Hotel and in 1919, it was recorded in the city directory as Hotel Bruce. In 1948, the Young family sold it to the Chemij family and in 1971, it was finally dubbed The Blue Goose Tavern. 

In 1989, Vincent Street was renamed Blue Goose Street in honour of the long-standing property. 

In the report, the city said the property qualifies as a heritage structure because of its Edwardian Classicism features and the fact that the more than century-old hotel had been serving locals and visitors (some of whom were passengers and crew members from the Grand Trunk Railway) throughout a substantial portion of Toronto’s history. 

“The Windsor Hotel is associated with the history of Mimico, from its origins as a community linked to the railway, to its development and evolution as an independent municipality,” the report reads.  

“…As a community hub with its links to Mimico’s sports culture, the hotel has been in continuous operation for more than a century. Contextually, the property at 1 Blue Goose is historically and visually related to its setting southeast of the railway tracks and Royal York Road in Mimico with its proximity to the original location of Mimico Station (the latter building is now found in Centennial Park on the west side of Royal York Road). The Windsor Hotel remains a local landmark in the community.” 

As for the current state of the building, the MLS listing says construction is 90 per cent complete and in the finishing stages. While the building is almost move-in ready, it also boasts a lot that’s been approved for the construction of 12 townhomes, as well as a mid-rise condo development. 

The listing highlights its prime location. 

“Whether you’re a developer, investor, or visionary entrepreneur, 1 BlueGoose Street presents the ideal canvas to shape Etobicoke’s next iconic urban village, blending historical charm, transit accessibility, and smartdensity in one dynamic package. Sold as-is, where-is,” the listing reads.