The historic Bell Mansion sold to local firm Devla Properties Inc. for $1.25 million, Laurentian University has revealed.
“The proceeds from this sale will be solely used to support the ongoing renewal of Laurentian University’s facilities,” said a press release put out by the university on Nov. 3.
The university’s board approved the purchaser’s offer back in August, but the details of the sale price and buyer were kept confidential pending the transaction’s Oct. 31 closing date.
Laurentian said the new owner took possession of the property on Nov. 1.
The purchaser, Devla Properties Inc, is owned and operated by local developer Peter Nault, who is well embedded in the Greater Sudbury community, said the Laurentian press release.
“Our hope was to be able to transfer this property to someone who can carry forward the legacy of the Bell Mansion, engage with local cultural and community groups, and honour the history of this important Sudbury landmark,” said Laurentian president Lynn Wells.
The Bell Mansion has long stood as a recognizable part of Sudbury’s architectural heritage. Laurentian University is privileged to have played a part in that history, the press release said.
“We extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to the stewardship and care of the Bell Mansion throughout its history,” said Laurentian.
“We would also like to thank the Art Gallery of Sudbury for their collaboration and partnership during their occupancy of the building. Finally, a special thank you to Tanya Vanden Berg at Sutton-Benchmark Realty.”
The property located at 251 John St, close to Bell Park, was listed by Sutton-Benchmark Realty Inc. in early August for $1 million.
Also known as Belrock, the 8,000-square-foot building was built in 1907 by pioneering couple William and Katherine Bell and sits on 2.1 acres of land north of Bell Park.
The historic building closed as Art Gallery of Sudbury headquarters in 2023 due to repair issues. Owned by Laurentian University, the board of governors passed a motion to list the building for sale last year.
The building’s sale is controversial and has been subject to petitions, with community members saying it should remain in public hands, as the property was originally transferred to Laurentian in the 1960s for a symbolic $1 to be opened for the people of Sudbury.
In purchasing the Bell Mansion, Devla Properties Inc. also inherits along with it the property’s heritage designation, which affords it certain protections when it comes to development.
The building is also zoned “I,” or institutional, so if the new owner has purchased the property for a use outside of those allowed for in the current zoning, they’d have to go through a rezoning process.
Laurentian also sold its former president’s home, also located on John Street, in 2024 for proceeds of $894,000 (although the sale price was stated to be $925,000).
The university said initially that the proceeds would be going to Laurentian’s creditors from its 2021-2022 insolvency, but LU recently said it would be retaining the president’s house money, as the creditors’ pool had been fully funded from the sale of other university property.