Adaptive Reuse

Finding opportunity in our vacant built assets

Items Tagged ‘Canada’

Developer Turning Old Boot Factory Into Trendy Commercial Space

From manufacturing to commercial space, the old industrial buildings along King and Breithaupt Streets in Kitchener, Ontario, are going through a renaissance. These six buildings date back to as early as 1903 and have since had their heavy machinery removed to make way for new life. The first phase, The Breithaupt Block, will provide 175,000 sf of new commercial space marketed to the high-tech, research and creative sectors. The facades of the buildings will be maintained while new courtyards and driveways are incorporated to provide division to the buildings. While some parking will be provided on ground level, the developer is incorporating below-grade parking in some of the basements.

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The Candy Factory Lofts

History
Dating back to the 1930s, this warehouse is located west of downtown Toronto in the West Queen Street neighborhood. It previously had been used as a Ce De Candy Company factory, the makers of Smarties.[1]

(Re)Developer
Quandrangle Architects undertook the conversion of the warehouse. The firm focuses on the rehabilitation and conversion of existing buildings, as well as historical restorations and renovations.

Outcome
Creating new loft residences out of the factory, the building now provides a great housing option in a neighborhood of restaurants, art galleries, and bars. The six-story post and beam loft building now houses 121 loft units. Some of the amenities enjoyed by the residents include 24-hour concierge service, a party room, a guest suite, fitness room, roof terraces and wide hallways.[2]

Case Studies, Residential
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Rock Bay Plan Passes Muster

A proposal to convert a former warehouse in the Rock Bay district of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is moving forward after planning and land-use committee recommended the proposal go to public hearing. The plan calls for a rezoning to turn the former warehouse last used as a kayak retail and rental outlet into a ground-floor commercial building with 25 one-bedroom and studio apartments on the top two floors. The apartments would be owned and managed by the Greater Victoria Housing Society and rented to low-income singles most likely working in low-wage or entry-level jobs. “The rezoning covers both 555 Pembroke, recently renovated for office use, and 575 Pembroke for the commercial/apartment development. Allowable ground-floor uses would include offices, bakeries, financial institutions, retail sales, call centres, drycleaners, restaurants, high tech and artisan trades. The same zoning would apply to 555 Pembroke but residential use will not be allowed.” The building at 555 Pembroke was built in 1914 as a B.C. Electrical Trolley office and repair shop while 575 Pembroke, built in 1939, has been used as a machine shop, warehouse, light manufacturing and retail space.

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Station Facelift Starts

The York Street train station in Fredericton is coming back to life. Renovations are underway to restore the historic building and convert it for retail use. The train station will become a new location for NB Liquor. The work will involve restoration of the original 1923 railway station, the demolition of the 1940s-era baggage wing and the development of the retail store that will be attached to the original train station. The work is welcome relief for residents as they saw this iconic building fall apart in recent years.

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The Adams Fleming House by Levitt Goodman Architects

Architects and home owners converted an old auto-body shop into a secluded private residence. The project is an example of a successful adaptive reuse of a brownfield site that also provides quiet and solitude even though it is next to a railway and supermarket parking lot.

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