Inside Newmarket’s Postmark Hotel, a new boutique hotel in an old post office

After narrowly escaping the indignant fate of being turned into condos, Newmarket’s 1914 post office is looking pretty good these days. Credit goes to Archive Hospitality Group, which meticulously preserved the Italianate red-brick exterior and clock tower while giving the interior a sleek 21st-century upgrade. A discreet three-storey wing was added to expand the space, but preservation was the main goal. Even the name—the Postmark Hotel—is a nod to the building’s postal roots, keeping its history front and centre.

The new wing—a bright 20,500-square-foot space designed by Kirkor Architects—is tucked behind the original building, so Newmarket’s Main Street can maintain its twee trapped-in-time charm. Though the addition only adds a single storey to the building’s height, it houses the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Overlea; an event space; and guest rooms spread across three floors.

In betting on Newmarket, Archive wasn’t just counting on luring Torontonians looking for a staycation an hour from the city. They also knew that the historic backdrop would be attractive to brides and grooms. The Postmark Hotel was built with events in mind, especially weddings. With areas like a cozy 28-seat private dining room and an all-glass event space that can hold 200 guests, it’s got parties of all sizes covered.

The Postmark offers two dining options. The Lobby, an all-day café and bar, serves casual fare and drinks—perfect for a cinq-à-sept, a laid-back coffee or a Sunday breakfast. Meanwhile, Overlea, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, delivers a more elevated experience, showcasing the farm-to-table plates of chef Jon Turner (previously of Fairmont Royal York) alongside panoramic views of Newmarket’s picturesque historic streets.

To honour the building’s past, interior design firm Navigate Design incorporated subtle nods to its original look, including penny tiles in the lobby and vintage post office boxes built into the concierge desk.

Retrofitting a historic building means that no two of the 55 guest rooms—ranging from a snug 215 square feet to a 539-square-foot suite—are the same. Some even offer ground-level private terraces. But every room has high ceilings, oversized windows, blackout curtains, and a stylish mix of modern and industrial design. With made-in-Ontario bath products from Toronto’s Consonant Skin Care and locally sourced artwork, the rooms are rooted in the hotel’s Ontarian identity.

Archive’s in-house curator, Lee Petrie, took a two-pronged approach to the art. Roughly half of the pieces on display celebrate local talent, showcasing a diverse range of media from artists working within an 80-kilometre radius of the Postmark. The other half would make any philatelist swoon: enlarged vintage Canadian stamps, first-day covers and postcards depicting Edwardian-era Canadian post offices.

While not all of the local art has a postal theme, some does—like Peter Andrew’s pigment print of a blown-up five-cent stamp, or a commissioned envelope-inspired mirror mural by Studio Kimiis.

The hotel’s original 800-pound clock tower bell, once a fixture of Newmarket’s skyline, has been reimagined as a striking neon-text-wrapped art piece.

Even the in-room snacks highlight local favourites, like Nomz and Wakewater. Instead of having a traditional minibar, guests can order from a curated snack menu, with treats delivered right to their door.

Named after a 102-year-old community icon, the Margaret Davis Fitness Centre is tucked away in the basement. Davis, known for her athleticism, long-time ownership of a sporting goods shop in town and being one of the loudest voices opposing the condos proposed for the Postmark site, has even stopped by to check it out.

Guests will also find the lounge down there. It’s a cozy hideaway with a pool table, a fireplace, an enormous flat-screen TV and plenty of plush seating—perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.