Renascent’s Paul J. Sullivan Centre Heritage Reconstruction
Brooklin, ON
The mid-19th-century Stephen Mead Thomas House in Brooklin, Ontario – now the Paul J. Sullivan Addiction Treatment Centre - is a designated heritage property recognized for its Gothic Revival architecture and its association with an important early local businessman. By the time of our involvement, the home’s distinctive wrap-around porch—an important character-defining feature—was structurally failing and required reconstruction. Weiss A+U undertook careful documentation of the existing assembly, digitally recording the ornate gingerbread trim and column profiles to ensure faithful reproduction.
While the original decorative trim had functioned structurally to support the porch roof, contemporary performance and durability standards required a more resilient approach. Weiss A+U developed concealed structural solutions, including hidden steel beams and slim metal columns embedded within the traditional detailing, allowing the restored porch to maintain its historic visual character while meeting modern loading and weather-resilience requirements. The resulting reconstruction preserves the elegance of the original design while ensuring its long-term stability and continued public appreciation.
Credits
Photography: David Whittaker
