Property Background

3 Ecclestone Drive (Bird Mill Mews)

3 Ecclestone Drive is currently owned by the Town and leased to two tenants: the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce in the front, who operates a Visitor Information Centre (VIC) on behalf of the Town, and the Riverwalk Restaurant in the back, where it is being utilized to prep for catering services.

Built in 1918, Bird Mill Mews is the former warehouse for the Bird Woollen Mill. It was originally a single story building and has undergone significant transformations over time. Historical references indicate that the Bird Woollen Mill was operated between 1872 and 1954. The Mill buildings were abandoned after the mill closed. The Town acquired the building from a group of local business men in the late 1950s for tax arrears. In 1966, it was sold to H.J. Brooks and Sons and was used primarily for storage. In the late 1980s, the building belonged to Ken Cummings and was leased as commercial space. The Town repurchased the building in 1990 and used it for storage while a proposal for upgrades to the building and property were considered. In 1994, the Chamber of Commerce, an art gallery and a café began leasing the building.

The building has had significant renovations over the years and is in good condition for resale. While the building is the last remaining structure associated with the Bird Woollen Mill operations aside from Woodchester (the Bird family home, owned and maintained by the Town), it does not have heritage features and is not historically designated.