Old brick Victorian getting royal treatment
Hamilton Spectator
By Mark McNeil
The vacant Victorian era building has a long way to go before it becomes remotely 'royal,' but developers of the new Royal Brick Works project on John Street South believe they have a winning plan for modern offices and commercial space.
The building between King and Main, at various times a butcher business, bowling alley and thrift store before lying vacant for several years, has four storeys, each with 7,000 square feet of space, and long exterior walls of exposed brick.
The "Royal" moniker comes from its proximity to the Royal Connaught, which is just around the corner.
Developers and realtors behind the project hosted a pre-construction open house Wednesday to announce their plans and feel out the market for tenants.
"The downtown core is changing quickly. There is no need to have buildings of this nature sitting empty," said Derek Doyle, a broker and partner with Ambitious Realty Advisors, which is working with the developer, Yoke Group Inc.
Anthony Quattrociocchi of Yoke says the development company is looking at maintaining the exposed brick as part of giant open-concept work spaces. They also plan to create a fifth floor with a glass ceiling that might find use as a spa or health club.
"I see a lot of opportunity to bring young professionals into the downtown core. They are more urbanized than their parents. They're looking for urban places to live and work," he said.
"We are trying to accomplish that by taking old buildings and putting a modern twist on them that will, hopefully, generate interest for new companies to come into the downtown and create jobs."
A strong possibility for a tenant, he said, would be a law office. The building is directly across the street from the John Sopinka Courthouse.
Glen Norton, manager of urban renewal for the city, was enthusiastic about the project "but the tough part is it doesn't have parking."
Quattrociocchi admits that might deter some. But he believes as the downtown evolves, there will be less demand for parking as workplaces are staffed with young urban professionals who use public transit, walk and cycle to get to work.
Coun. Jason Farr said he was impressed with the presentation and the "young people who are taking on a pretty important task and using their enthusiasm for all things downtown.
"It's all part of the momentum that is building downtown."
He said he especially liked how the people behind the project wanted to reach out into the community for ideas about the most suitable tenants.
Construction will begin soon, said Doyle.
mmcneil@thespec.com
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/55...yal-treatment/
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