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Aurora

Aurora Armoury, 89 Mosley Street

Year built: 1874

Builder: Walter Moberly

Original purpose: Built in 1874 as a drill shed for the 12th Battalion of Infantry or the York Rangers, the Aurora Armoury was part of a network of defence training facilities for citizen soldiers. This purpose-built armoury is one of Ontario’s oldest. When it closed as a National Defence facility in 2023, it was the longest-serving active armoury in Canada.

Adaptive reuse: Today, the facility has partnered with Niagara College to reimagine the armoury as a vibrant community and culinary hub, which honours the building’s rich civic tradition for community assembly. The space is used for private bookings, weddings, family gatherings and culinary classes. The armoury has also been a popular Doors Open Aurora site.

Adapted by: Gow Hastings Architects and ERA Architects

Awards: 2022 Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse: Large-Scale/Team/Corporate (Architectural Conservancy Ontario)

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