In 1965, two local lawyers (W. B. Gordon and James B. Lillico) moved their partnership from second floor offices around the corner in the Cluxton Building on George Street, to 163 Hunter St. West. They substantially renovated with traditional mahogany panelling and modern glass walls, but retained the century old safe and steam heating plant.

In 1974, almost exactly 100 years from construction, most of the old structure was demolished, leaving only 163 still standing. Vestiges of the Oriental still linger on our third floor – seven hotel rooms with faded floral wallpaper, a washroom with marble sink, doors with glass transoms that still swing on their original hinges – poignant reminders of what was once “Peterborough’s most elegant hotel”.

In 2012 the building’s current owners, Stephen Bazuk and Peter Lillico, initiated substantial renovations designed to restore the building to reflect the historical Oriental Hotel so far as was feasible. This included replacement of all of the windows facing Hunter Street with the same gracefully arched and double-arched windows. A cornice, faithful to the original structure that was removed at some time in the early 20th century, is also part of the restoration. Finally, the paint scheme and exterior finishings are based upon the early photos of the Oriental Hotel.

The Oriental Hotel itself may be gone, but it has not been forgotten. The County of Peterborough’s Historic Places Commemoration Project has honoured it with a plaque denoting its architectural and historical importance to the Community.