493 Ouellette Avenue, Lazare's Furs Building and Sign
Notice of Intention to Designate - 493 Ouellette Avenue
In the Matter of "The Ontario Heritage Act"
And in the Matter of the Lands and Premises at
493 Ouellette Avenue, in the City of Windsor, in the Province of Ontario
Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Windsor intends to designate the property, including lands and buildings, at the following municipal address as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of “The Ontario Heritage Act”:
- Lazare’s Furs Building and Sign, 493 Ouellette Avenue
The Lazare’s Furs Building and Sign are located at 493 Ouellette Avenue, on the north-west corner of Maiden Lane. The property contains a three-storey commercial building originally constructed in 1928 as a two-storey commercial building designed by architect Albert J. Lothian. Following acquisition by Lazare’s Furs in 1941, substantial alterations undertaken by Sheppard and Masson between 1941 and 1944 included the addition of a third storey, interior reconfigurations, façade alterations, and installation of a projecting neon sign along Maiden Lane. The Lazare’s Furs Sign is an Art Deco neon commercial sign constructed circa 1942 featuring neon tubing supported by a sheet metal backing with painted flourishes. Together, the building and neon sign function as a prominent downtown Windsor landmark and illustrate the evolution of commercial architecture and retail branding from the late 1920s to 1940s.
Further information respecting the proposed designation is available upon request. Notice of Objection to designation may be served on the City Clerk within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice, setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts. If such a Notice of Objection is received, the Council of the Corporation of the City of Windsor shall consider the objection and make a decision whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property within 90 days after the end of the 30-day objection period.
Take notice that an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal in respect to all or part of this Notice of Heritage Designation may be made by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk either via the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) e-file service (first-time users will need to register for a My Ontario Account) by selecting “Windsor (City): Clerk” as the Approval Authority or by mail to 350 City Hall Square West, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6S1, no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 25, 2026. The filing of an appeal after 4:30 p.m., in person or electronically, will be deemed to have been received the next business day. The appeal fee of $1,100 can be paid online through e-file or by certified cheque/money order to the Minister of Finance, Province of Ontario. If you wish to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) or request a fee reduction for an appeal, forms are available from the OLT website. If the e-file portal is down, you can submit your appeal to clerks@citywindsor.ca by email.
Dated at Windsor, Ontario, this 26th day of August 2026
Signed by Anna Ciacelli, Deputy City Clerk