Redpath Mansion demolition approved by culture minister

Quebec's culture minister says the Redpath Mansion is not worth saving,saying that after studying the building, the province has determined it does not have national heritage value.

On February 17Maka Kottohaltedthe demolition of the 128-year-old building for 30 days to assess its heritage value.

• Redpath Mansion demolition suspended for 30 days

I suspended the demolition of the Redpath house to make an informed decisionin the interests of Quebec's heritage... I am aware of howsymbolic thisbuilding is for heritage groups in Montreal, saidKotto in a statement.

Kotto says he wished action had been taken to maintain the building at 3457duMuseStreetbefore it fell into disrepair.

The mansion was built in 1886 by architect Sir Andrew Taylor and, according to HeritageMontreal, it is one of therare remaining examplesof Queen Anne architecture in the city.

• Montreals historic Redpath Mansion in its final days

The homewasoriginally built for a member of theRedpathfamily, one of the most influential Montreal families of the19thcentury.

The building's preservation has been contestedsince 1986, whenHeritage Montreal and Save Montreal obtained an injunction to stop it from beingdemolished by the owner.

• Historic Redpath House demolition underway

Kotto says theMinistry of Culture and Communicationsdecided that saving the house could notbe justified based onits historical value, because itwasnot directly associated with JohnRedpath, theprominent 19thcenturybusinessmanassociated with the development of theLachineCanal and the founding of Quebec's first sugar refinery.

The Sochaczevski family, which owns the RedpathMansion, plans to build a four storey,80-unit student student residence in its place.

"I hope the owner will include historical background on the site or in the new building, with the aim ofpreservingthe memory," wrote Kotto.