The deal that would have seen a Pointe-Claire realtor buy the heritage building that once served as the Canada Post outlet in Pointe-Claire Village has fallen through.
John Deakin, the owner of Deakin Realty in Pointe-Claire, says he no longer has a purchase and sale agreement to buy the two-storey heritage building at the corner of Lakeshore Rd. and Cartier Ave.
The property was vacated in the fall of 2012 when Canada Post shut down its outlet at 250 Lakeshore Rd.
“We are no longer a participant” in that sale, said Deakin. He added all he could say was that the deal had been off “for about two months.”
Federal government officials were even more evasive about what soured the transaction that would have delivered the prime location and landmark building into private hands.
“We do not provide details on the status of sale of our properties,” said Phil Legault, a Canada Post media spokesperson wrote in an email.
Deakin made an offer to acquire the two-storey, 2,700-square-foot building from the Crown corporation in the spring of 2013. The building’s valuation on the municipal tax roll was then just over $300,000.
At the time, Deakin said, he was anxious to move his real estate office into the former post office and praised the building for its “beauty” and “tremendous presence.”
The building is included on the city’s list of about 150 buildings with heritage interest.
The list notes the château-style building was designed by architect Hugh Vallance and was constructed in 1937.
Yvan Desrochers said he is aware of three others who are interested in buying the building but they are holding off making offers until it is clearer what the city of Pointe-Claire plans to do revitalize the village.
He said there were also various rumours circulating among Pointe-Claire Village merchants and property owners about various problems with the building.
Desrochers previously owned commercial property in the village and now manages a commercial property owned by his mother.
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