160-year-old Ontario flatiron building transformed into boutique hotel

One of Ontario's most beautiful villages — conveniently located a two-hour drive from Toronto — will soon be home to a chic new boutique hotel housed in the country's oldest flatiron building.

Opening in June, The Ayrshire Hotel is bringing new life to Elora's historically significant Dalby Building, also known as Dalby House or Gordon's Block.

Originally constructed in 1865, the heritage landmark of Elora's picturesque downtown was previously home to doctors' offices and stagecoach operations, a watering hole and a public court.  

Currently owned by Elora locals Teal and Eric Parkinson, the building has been meticulously transformed into a 10-room boutique property.

Designed with luxury and convenience in mind, the hotel also includes nods to the town's, and the family's, Scottish heritage. Elora's founder, William Gilkison, and Eric Parkinson's grandmothers both hail from Ayrshire, a county on Scotland’s west coast.

"This is a deeply personal endeavour for our family," says Teal Parkinson, an archaeologist who previously worked as a professor at Wilfred Laurier University. "Realizing a years-long vision of restoring and revitalizing our town's landmark flatiron into its next chapter as The Ayrshire Hotel is a tremendous honour."

The Ayrshire Hotel is an expansion upon the Parkinsons' first hospitality project, a cozy six-bedroom property known as The Ayrshire House.

"We're deeply conscious of the importance of this deeply special piece of Elora history," says Eric Parkinson. "We believe in Elora, and we're all in on making this a destination that guests will fall in love with."

Known for its majestic gorge, hiking trails, and location on the Grand River, Elora offers visitors a serene respite from hectic city life. Quaint with undeniable small-town charm, the village's downtown is also home to enough shops, cafés and restaurants to fuel a day trip or a peaceful weekend.

The Ayrshire Hotel will begin welcoming guests this June.