The building that until recently contained the bustling China Gate Restaurant in Belleville’s Downtown District is almost completely gutted.
What’s formally known as 249 – 253 Front Street will begin 2021 being converted into apartments on the second and third floors with commercial and/or more residential units on the ground floor.
The China Gate building was constructed 150 years ago in 1870 by John Forin the same man that built Belleville City Hall.
It was recently purchased by Ottawa-based developer Bruce Firestone.
Mark Turner, owner of Restoration Services Inc, a Belleville company that has done a lot of facade work downtown, says the gutting of the building has led to the discovery of a room at the back of the building that was likely used as a stable and general workshop/ storage area in the first few years of the building’s life.
Demolishing the interior of the former China Gate Restaurant building led to the discovery of what likely was a stable/workshop area at the rear of the building.(Photo: Quinte News)
In 1920, a century ago, the building was home to a furrier, dry cleaner, a dressmaker, a barber, insurance companies, a CPR ticket office and the Conservatory of Music.
Meanwhile, 50 years ago in 1970, the China Gate building was populated by two shoe stores, a dentist, a lawyer, a tots and teens clothing store, insurance companies along with six apartment units.
(Photo: Quinte News)
