About
The project involves the preservation, restoration and revitalization
of an important designated building in the Collingwood Heritage
Conservation District and its adaptive reuse to provide commercial
opportunities and live/work space for the creative sector. The
building will incorporate sustainable and environmental measures along
with heritage preservation. Some of the green energy components the
building will feature include solar PV and solar thermal as well as
grey water recycling and heat recovery.
The restoration of the building’s 1889 facade will be protected by a
heritage conservation easement agreement with the Town of Collingwood.
Richard and Anke are excited equally about the restoration of the
exterior; bringing back its original beauty and the interior; creating
an exciting vibrant space for new ideas.
The plan also allows the Town of Collingwood to retain over three
quarters of the property for downtown parking with a small parkette
proposed between the Tremont and the new Collingwood Library.
“A frequently underappreciated component of historic buildings is their role as natural incubators of small businesses. In both downtowns but especially in neighborhood commercial districts a major contribution to the local economy is the relative affordability of older buildings. It is no accident that the creative, imaginative, small start up firm isn’t located in the corporate office “campus” the industrial park or the shopping center – they simply cannot afford the rents there. Older and historic commercial buildings play that role, nearly always with no subsidy or assistance of any kind.”
- Keynote Speaker, Donovan D. Rypkema
Landmarks Not Landfill Heritage Conference
Collingwood, May 30, 2008 |
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