Hundreds of irate locals gathered outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake's town hall on Tuesday to loudly demonstrate against a luxury hotel project recently greenlit for the city.

The planned Parliament Oak Hotel was approved by local council in late June, but despite the project already having the go-ahead, locals flooded the area outside of town hall on Tuesday during an unrelated council meeting to protest what they characterize as a tall building that would challenge the historic charm of the community.

Specifically, they have argued that the project's four-storey height is "completely inappropriate" for the small tourist town — a point that has been the subject of ridicule on social media.

It's clearly a hot-button issue for the community, as residents formed what Niagara-on-the-Lake Local has described as an "angry mob" to speak out against the project this week.

God forbid a 4 storey building 🙄🙄

— insertnamehere (@insertnamenow19) August 1, 2024

The outlet describes how councillors Erwin Wiens, Wendy Cheropita and Maria Mavridis were pelted with insults from the crowd as they arrived for the council session, and that the town's Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa was "swarmed by protestors."

Niagara-on-the-Lake planning staff recommended that the planned Parliament Oak Hotel be approved in early June. The project was officially greenlit at a June 25 council meeting in a narrow 5-4 vote.

But that was over one month ago, and protestors who assembled outside of Tuesday's council session didn't seem to get their message across, as local outlets report that the item wasn't even discussed during the meeting.

Faux Georgian style, if that’s what it’s called, in unbecoming.

— Emily Farina (@EmilyFarina5) June 11, 2024

Set to replace an existing Maple Leaf Montessori School at 325 King Street, the new luxury accommodation will offer 129 guest rooms, a restaurant, a bar and private event spaces.