A piece of history in old Hull will be demolished

The days of the famous matchbox house on rue Notre-Dame-de-l'Lay in Old Hull, Gatineau are numbered.

The Supreme Court gave the green light to the owner to demolish the heritage building after a months-long siege with the municipal council to save it.

Gestion Champline Inc. to permit the demolition of the Allumette house located at 207 rue Notre-Dame-de-l'ÎIe. The court has ordered the city of Gatineau to grant the company a permit, we can read in the ruling issued by the superior. Court.

The court's verdict said the building was dangerous to public safety and there was no effective solution other than demolishing it.

Note that the owner bought it with the intention of building 159 housing units in 2020.

The municipal council voted in favor of keeping the house, especially for heritage reasons. The developer later responded that he would go to court.

According to Michael Prevost, president of the Outaois Historical Society, the decision to approve the house's demolition is sad news.

“I am very disappointed that the Otaouais Historical Society and other groups, particularly the Hull Island Residents Association, strongly opposed the demolition of this matchbox house, as we consider it to be very interesting to old Hull,” declared Michel Prévost, president of the Outaouais Historical Society.

In an email, the city of Catino said it has read the court's ruling on the matter and is currently reviewing the decision to determine whether an appeal is possible and appropriate.

The decision is expected to be confirmed by the end of next week.

Gestion NDI Champlain declined an interview request from TVA Gatineau-Ottawa.