Amherstburg Revisits Convention Centre Proposal for Historic Belle Vue Property
The town of Amherstburg is once again examining the possibility of constructing a convention centre on the grounds of the historic Belle Vue House property. This renewed interest follows a report from the town's economic advisory committee, which identified developing a business case for a Belle Vue Convention Centre as a near-term priority in January 2026.
Historic Property and Development Challenges
The Belle Vue manor, a two-storey white brick house built between 1816 and 1819 for Robert Reynolds, has stood empty and in a dilapidated state since 2001. Designated as a national historic site in 1959 for its Palladian architectural style, the property at 525 Dalhousie Street was purchased by the town in 2016, but restoration efforts have been stalled due to funding constraints.
In 2024, Amherstburg voted to proceed with negotiations on a proposal by Amico Properties and the Loop family to transform the manor and surrounding property into a hotel and convention centre. The site was declared surplus later that year to facilitate its sale to private interests for development.
Current Status of the Amico-Loop Proposal
Mayor Michael Prue stated that the town is still awaiting a response on the Amico-Loop proposal as of January 2026. The town has completed necessary studies on natural habitats, archaeological findings, and environmental issues. According to Prue, they are now waiting for a comment from Amico president Dominic Amicone regarding whether the company wishes to acquire the land.
The original proposal involved Amico requesting the seven acres behind the house for free, land valued at approximately $8 million in the downtown area. Negotiations are ongoing to determine what offer the developers might make for the property.
Proposed Development Details
The Amico-Loop plan envisions a comprehensive redevelopment of the Belle Vue property, including:
- Transformation of the historic manor into hotel rooms
- Addition of a spa, restaurant, and event space
- Construction of an outdoor pavilion and green space
- Development of 52 three-story townhomes on the land
The proposal is available on the town's public engagement platform, talktheburg.ca, though public commenting has since closed. Mayor Prue anticipates a response from Amico sometime during the first quarter of 2026.
Historical Context and Previous Plans
This is not the first time Amherstburg has considered redevelopment of the Belle Vue property. In 2019, the town sought partners or sponsors for a project that would restore the historic home and construct a hotel and convention centre on the land behind it.
Preliminary designs from that period called for a ballroom capable of accommodating 300 people and a conference centre with breakout rooms, connected to the original home by a walkway. The estimated cost at that time for restoring the home and constructing a convention centre and botanical garden was approximately $9 million.
The current exploration of costs for a convention centre business case represents the latest chapter in Amherstburg's ongoing efforts to revitalize this significant historic property while creating new economic opportunities for the community.
