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So, you might be asking yourself, “What makes a house sexy”? Of course there are a combination of factors, but for me, I look for a home that has been appropriately restored/preserved, curb appeal, balanced proportions and symmetrical features, uniqueness, and of course, its history. Scroll through to see why these homes have been deemed the “sexiest”—at least in my book.  

1. The Prest House (1755 York Road; also, the 2021 Sexiest Home Winner) 

This Georgian home was built around 1819 and is made from local sandstone. The stonework, in my opinion, is what truly sets the home apart from the rest in Town. To my knowledge there isn’t another stone Georgian home in Niagara-on-the-Lake; all the others are made from brick! There was also so much care taken when restoring this home including the exterior paint colours complementing the tones within the stone. This home doesn’t have a heritage designation, so the owner didn’t have to use period-appropriate windows or doors when they were fixing it up, but they did. The end result is just simply beautiful. It also doesn’t hurt that this home’s backdrop is the Niagara Escarpment. All of these factors likely contributed to it being voted Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s 2021 Sexiest Home Winner. Make sure you follow us on social media (@NOTLMusuem), as we will be reprising this competition in 2024. 

Photograph by Cosmo Condina 

2. The Rowley House at 177 King Street 

This home, nestled behind the Apothecary and Exchange Brewery, looks like a dollhouse on steroids. It has a tower, wraparound porch, gingerbread trim, multi-angled roofs, fancy stained-glass windows, and is painted pink. Chef’s kiss. These characteristics are typical of the Victorian era’s Queen Anne-style homes, and when painted pastel colours, these homes are often called “Painted Ladies”. I also love the history of this home. It was built for a biracial woman named Fanny Rowley, whose family went from being enslaved two generations previously to her being the largest female landowner in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She actually owned the entire block from the Apothecary to Regent Street, which became known as the Rowley Block.  

While enjoying a pint…or two… on the balcony of The Exchange Brewery, I have seen many people pose for “the ‘gram” on the porch of this home. So, it might be the most photographed home in NOTL, and proves I am not the only one who finds it sexy!   

Let’s all hail this Queen!  

3. 14902 Niagara River Parkway  

During your stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake, I highly recommend a drive along the Niagara River Parkway. It is a beautiful drive, especially in the fall when the leaves are at their peak of colour. There are also several wineries, markets, and fruit stands along the route. But the drive also shows off some of our town’s beautiful homes. I love this one in particular. Every time I drive by it, I think of the movie, Gone with the Wind. I picture women with their massive hoop skirts standing on the balcony and porch enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea, while also “spilling some tea” (aka gossiping) amongst each other.  The setting is also quite beautiful with trees to one side, vineyards to the next, and a view of the Niagara River.  

4. 31 Prideaux Street 

There are so many grand and beautiful homes in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but this is the one I can actually picture myself living in. The curb appeal is amazing…I mean that red door set against the white clapboard siding, come on! The mansard roof is really unique and funky, and the addition of the dormer windows gives the home more character.  I just love a home's unique features. The home is also connected to one of my favourite historical residents of Nagara-on-the-Lake, Mary Servos. She was married to someone in the Servos family, and they owned the family’s homestead located in the Lakeshore and Four Mile Creek Road area. When her husband cheated on her, she separated from him (unheard of in the mid-1800s), kept his family’s property for herself, and didn’t allow him to be buried in the family cemetery. While she didn’t live at 31 Prideaux Street, she acquired it as an income property. What a spitfire!  

5. The Promenade House at 55 Prideaux Street  

So, I have to be honest. This home isn’t the sexiest, especially when comparing it to other homes on Prideaux Street. It’s actually kind of plain-looking, but it’s got a bit of a sexy history! In the late 1820s, this house became an inn and tavern known as The Promenade House. Now you wouldn’t find a Bridgerton promenading out front searching for a suitor, instead, the inn had a reputation of being the place where “ladies of the night” would promenade out front in the hopes of obtaining the company of a gentleman. Yes, the “Prettiest Town” at one time did have a fair amount of prostitution. You can watch my talk on this subject (and more) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoZ5OQQHNFc. The house was also at one time a school, a stable, and a barracks for soldiers during the First World War.   

So, there you have it, my top 5 sexiest heritage homes in Niagara-on-the-Lake! You can learn about many more of our Town’s “sexy” homes in our current exhibition, The Prettiest Town: Beyond the Bricks & Mortar, which is on display until April 6, 2025.