ACO’s Heritage Awards include two Amherstburg recipients

79-81 Murray St. captured the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse in the Small-Scale/Individual/Small Business category.

The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) handed out its 2025 Heritage Awards earlier this month and there are two winners with Amherstburg connections.

The building at 79-81 Murray St. captured the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse in the Small-Scale/Individual/Small Business category. That building houses the Bucket List Coffee Roastery Café and Eatery and Beauty & Co. By Bretton.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum were also award recipients, capturing the ACO Public Education and Engagement Award. The award comes as the museum is in the midst of its 50th anniversary celebrations.

The 79-81 Murray St. building is owned by Adam Rossetto and the design team was the firm Mean Studio, located in Windsor. Mean Studio consists of project lead and designer Crystal Waddell, project lead and designer Nicole Baillargeon and architect Siniša Simić.

The building was originally constructed in 1883. The restoration was fully completed in 2024.

“I have always loved the history and old world charm of downtown Amherstburg, so it was important to me that the design of the ‘new and improved’ 79 Murray building, maintained the heritage feel, while incorporating today’s technology,” said Rossetto. “The team did an outstanding job of respecting the heritage feel throughout all aspects of the building, while still meeting today’s stringent building code requirements related to energy efficiency and accessibility. I am very proud of the final result, and with all the efforts put forth by the whole team involved!”

Baillargeon said they knew the project was nominated for the Paul Oberman award for adaptive re-use (small scale) as team members had been contacted by a member of the local ACO chapter, inquiring about their process, concept, and challenges with the building. 

“We happily provided them with photos and insight and hoped for the best. But to be perfectly honest, the ACO, being a fairly large province-wide organization, I don’t think any of us had expectations of winning,” she said. “We almost didn’t make it to the award ceremony. Busy schedules made the trip to Toronto difficult for all of us - including owner Adam Rossetto and contractor Robert Polewski - but in the end my partner Crystal Waddell and I fixed our schedules so that we could go. Being able to attend an awards ceremony is a nice treat that we wanted to take advantage of.”

Baillargeon added they were “completely caught off guard when they announced that the 79 Murray project had won over the jury and been chosen for the award.” 

“The recognition is truly gratifying. It was an extremely challenging project from start to finish as the building had multiple structural and site issues, leading to several recommendations to demolish it and start over. Indeed, the building was known to have originally been a ‘log cabin’ and was still partially, and quite precariously balanced on a few rough hewn lumber beams,” she said. “It had been through many modifications over decades, some more skilled than others, and at least one big fire. Being a listed heritage property, ‘just tear it down’ was not such a simple suggestion, either. Luckily the owner was steadfast in his resolution to work through reconstructing entire sections of the building to make it work.”  

Baillargeon added RTP construction, was “able to work through various bumps in the road.”

Baillardon said Mean Studio had “put together a thoughtful design concept, celebrating the building’s past uses and configurations, materiality, and highlighting its historic relationship to the street through restoration of an inviting storefront and corner entrance - modifying it to meet modern functionality and code.”

The yard side of the property was treated with a more modern touch using concrete panels formed on rough wood slatting fabricated by the owner’s company ANR Concrete Studio.” 

The design concept was “unanimously applauded by Amherstburg’s Heritage Committee during pre-approvals, which laid the groundwork and tone for the rest of the permitting process with the town,” she added. 

“With a shared vision and solid plan in hand, we were able to work really well together through the myriad construction and regulatory challenges methodically and with confidence in the outcome,” said Baillargeon. “we are super proud of this project, of the transformation it has realized at this prominent corner of Amherstburg’s beautiful downtown, and of the dedicated work of the whole team.”

Mary-Katherine Whelan, curator with the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, said the museum’s award was “wonderful news” and said they are thankful for the recognition.

“Receiving the ACO Public Education and Engagement Award is an incredible honour for the museum, particularly as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year,” said Whelan. “This recognition affirms our ongoing commitment to making local Black history accessible, engaging, and meaningful for our community. It’s also a deeply meaningful tribute to the vision of Melvin ‘Mac’ Simpson and the dedication he and his wife, Betty Simpson, demonstrated in preserving and promoting Black history in our region. Their passion laid the foundation for the museum’s work today, and we continue to build upon that legacy with pride.”

Whelan added that “to be acknowledged at the provincial level underscores the impact that dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters have made over the last 50 years of preserving and sharing our regions rich Black history. We’re deeply grateful to the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario for this recognition and to everyone who continues to champion the museum’s mission.”

ACO’s Heritage Awards include two Amherstburg recipients

By Ron Giofu