{"id":660,"date":"2024-10-12T13:17:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-12T17:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niagaraholidayrentals.com\/itineraries\/?p=660"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:20:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T17:20:42","slug":"so-you-might-be-asking-yourself-what-makes-a-house-sexy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niagaraholidayrentals.com\/itineraries\/so-you-might-be-asking-yourself-what-makes-a-house-sexy\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Heritage Homes This Assistant Curator Finds the \u201cSexiest\u201d in NOTL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
So, you might be asking yourself, \u201cWhat makes a house sexy\u201d? Of course there are a combination of factors, but for me, I look for a home that has been appropriately restored\/preserved, curb appeal, balanced proportions and symmetrical features, uniqueness, and of course, its history. Scroll through to see why these homes have been deemed the \u201csexiest\u201d\u2014at least in my book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prest House (1755 York Road; also, the 2021 Sexiest Home Winner)<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit to Cosmo Condina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This Georgian home was built around 1819 and is made from local sandstone. The stonework, in my opinion, is what truly sets the home apart from the rest in Town. To my knowledge there isn\u2019t another stone Georgian home in Niagara-on-the-Lake; all the others are made from brick! There was also so much care taken when restoring this home including the exterior paint colours complementing the tones within the stone. This home doesn\u2019t have a heritage designation, so the owner didn\u2019t have to use period-appropriate windows or doors when they were fixing it up, but they did. The end result is just simply beautiful. It also doesn\u2019t hurt that this home\u2019s backdrop is the Niagara Escarpment. All of these factors likely contributed to it being voted Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum\u2019s 2021 Sexiest Home Winner. Make sure you follow us on social media (@NOTLMusuem), as we will be reprising this competition in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rowley House at 177 King Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s all hail this Queen! Photo credit Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This home, nestled behind the Apothecary and Exchange Brewery, looks like a dollhouse on steroids. It has a tower, wraparound porch, gingerbread trim, multi- angled roofs, fancy stained-glass windows, and is painted pink. Chef\u2019s kiss. These characteristics are typical of the Victorian era\u2019s Queen Anne-style homes, and when painted pastel colours, these homes are often called \u201cPainted Ladies\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also love the history of this home. It was built for a biracial woman named Fanny Rowley, whose family went from being enslaved two generations previously to her being the largest female landowner in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She actually owned the entire block from the Apothecary to Regent Street, which became known as the Rowley Block. While enjoying a pint\u2026or two\u2026 on the balcony of The Exchange Brewery, I have seen many people pose for \u201cthe \u2018gram\u201d on the porch of this home. So, it might be the most photographed home in NOTL, and proves I am not the only one who finds it sexy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14902 Niagara River Parkway<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
During your stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake, I highly recommend a drive along the Niagara River Parkway. It is a beautiful drive, especially in the fall when the leaves are at their peak of colour. There are also several wineries, markets, and fruit stands along the route. But the drive also shows off some of our town\u2019s beautiful homes. I love this one in particular. Every time I drive by it, I think of the movie, Gone with the Wind. I picture women with their massive hoop skirts standing on the balcony and porch enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea, while also \u201cspilling some tea\u201d (aka gossiping) amongst each other. The setting is also quite beautiful with trees to one side, vineyards to the next, and a view of the Niagara River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are so many grand and beautiful homes in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but this is the one I can actually picture myself living in. The curb appeal is amazing\u2026I mean that red door set against the white clapboard siding, come on! The mansard roof is really unique and funky, and the addition of the dormer windows gives the home more character. I just love a home’s unique features. The home is also connected to one of my favourite historical residents of Nagara-on-the-Lake, Mary Servos. She was married to someone in the Servos family, and they owned the family\u2019s homestead located in the Lakeshore and Four Mile Creek Road area. When her husband cheated on her, she separated from him (unheard of in the mid-1800s), kept his family\u2019s property for herself, and didn\u2019t allow him to be buried in the family cemetery. While she didn\u2019t live at 31 Prideaux Street, she acquired it as an income property. What a spitfire!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Promenade House at 55 Prideaux Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
So, I have to be honest. This home isn\u2019t the sexiest, especially when comparing it to other homes on Prideaux Street. It\u2019s actually kind of plain-looking, but it\u2019s got a bit of a sexy history! In the late 1820s, this house became an inn and tavern known as The Promenade House. Now you wouldn\u2019t find a Bridgerton promenading out front searching for a suitor, instead, the inn had a reputation of being the place where \u201cladies of the night\u201d would promenade out front in the hopes of obtaining the company of a gentleman. Yes, the \u201cPrettiest Town\u201d at one time did have a fair amount of prostitution. You can watch my talk on this subject (and more) here<\/a>. The house was also at one time a school, a stable, and a barracks for soldiers during the First World War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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