HIP Developments' Gaslight District has been nominated for the Architecture Conservancy of Ontario's Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse in the large-scale/team/corporate category for its revitalization of a 19th century industrial site into a mixed use community hub.
The award recognizes projects that incorporate and reuse significant heritage structures "in fitting and imaginative ways, thereby conserving them for future use and enjoyment."
It honours the late Paul Oberman, whose company, Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, was responsible for some of the most important examples of adaptive reuse in Ontario.
The nod for Cambridge's Gaslight District says the transformation of the former the former Goldie & McCulloch factory "injected life into downtown Galt" and constitutes the second largest private investment in the City of Cambridge, exceeded only by Toyota.
The ACO says the project included the retention and conservation of the majority of the 19th century stone industrial buildings, converting them to a mix of retail, office, food and service, public open space, and venue space.
The public square, which welcomed thousands for its weekend grand opening event at the end of July, is surrounded by two contemporary condominium towers north of the industrial buildings.
"The strength of the project lies in its commitment to the conservation of authentic 19th century industrial built fabric, which is important to the character of the area," reads the nomination.
"Downtown Galt is unique due to its prolific use of limestone throughout the 19th century and in the presence of industrial buildings. The adaptive re-use of the stone industrial complex is therefore quintessential to the unique sense of place of the community.
"The vision for the development included making as few alterations to authentic heritage resources as possible. For example, the majority of transformed industrial spaces have retained the original masonry, wood floors, blast furnaces, and belts and pulley systems."
The former stone industrial building at the centre of the site in the public square is now a band stand.
"The Gaslight District development successfully combines sympathetic alterations to suit adaptive re-use with contemporary new design. The quality of materials, craftsmanship, and design work together to create a vibrant community hub and regional destination spot."
Other projects up for the award include:
The Niagara Parks Power Station for turning the historic Niagara Falls powerplant into an educational and entertainment destination.
The Waterworks, 505 Richmond St. for adapting the former machine shop building, revitalizing the historic block in downtown Toronto.
The James L. Dunn Public School for the bold transformation of the neglected and abandoned heritage-designated factory.
The John Muir Branch of the Windsor Public Library for the beautiful renovation and transformation of Windsor’s oldest Fire Hall.
The awards will be handed out on Oct. 12 at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse in Toronto.
