Harbour House

Harbour House sits prominently at 194 Main Street in Port Stanley, Ontario, overlooking the town’s scenic harbor. This distinguished heritage building blends industrial charm with contemporary mixed use, offering boutique shops, galleries, and residential units. Its generous windows and waterfront views make it a welcoming hub for both locals and tourists exploring the lakeside village.

The structure was originally built around 1917 by the East Side Fish Company. Though it was never used as a full fish-processing facility, it played an important role in the local marine economy. The building was primarily used for net mending and storage, a function continued until the post‑World War I decline of the independent fishery. Its completion marks an era when Port Stanley’s harbor supported active fishing operations.

Architecturally, Harbour House reflects early‑20th‑century functional design with a symmetrical facade, multiple large windows on its east, south, and west sides, and modest coal‑stove ventilation details from its early days. Today’s appearance retains that industrial character while accommodating a row of charming storefronts and residential spaces inside, bringing together the building’s past and present.

Harbour House is open to the public without an admission fee. The interior shops operate during regular hours, typically Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the building’s exterior and walkways are accessible whenever you walk along the harbor or Main Street. It functions as a part of Port Stanley’s commercial heart and is ideal for leisurely browsing, lakeside views, and exploring local artistry.

Smoking is not allowed inside the building or within a few meters of the entrances, in line with Ontario’s public health rules. While there are no official designated smoking zones, visitors who wish to smoke should do so at a respectful distance from the doorways and pedestrian areas.