NORTH END COOL
An 1880s industrial building gets a sleek, ultramodern reno
Gritty steel town charm has merged with modern design on Brock Street in Hamilton’s North End.
It’s where you’ll find a funky, upscale red-brick building nestled between Hughson and John streets and one block south of the waterfront trail along Guise East. A flat and boxy profile has been transformed using materials from the city's industrial era: corrugated metal, brick, glass and steel. It’s surrounded by a traditional neighbourhood that’s seeing its share of renovations and upgrades.
Bill Curran, principal at Thier + Curran Architects Inc., who lives a few blocks south, got up close and personal with this once-rundown 1880s machine shop that was put on the market two years ago. He refused to dismantle it, instead morphing the one-storey heritage building into three “distinct” freehold townhomes.
It is “a project we are very, very proud of.”
The building was once used to make metals and tools for the Jobborn Manufacturing Co., which made parts for the Ford Motor Co. until the 1960s. During Prohibition, it was used as a liquor warehouse; in fact, a barrel ramp and two large brick safes were installed. Decades later, it would be operated as a telemarketing boiler room with more than 100 phone lines and, in more recent years, the space was used to store equipment for Complete Rent-Alls.
“The building reminded me of the grim, dark, gritty warehouse that is the setting for the movie ‘Reservoir Dogs,’” Curran recalled. “It was so moody and ethereal inside.”
Inspired by the film’s main characters — Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink and Mr. White — all three units are one-bedroom-plus-den and have minimalist designs with similar features. But each has unique touches aimed at attracting owners with an appreciation for craft and art.
“The city’s staff recommended we tear it down and build a fivestorey apartment building. We didn’t want to do that,” said Curran. “We tried to find balance; not trying to get maximum profit, just trying to get the right fit for the community.”
A letter was circulated around the neighbourhood, detailing Curran’s plans to rehabilitate the single-storey space.
“Some people were ecstatic because they saw it as an empty building that was an eyesore,” he said. “We’ve tried to be respectful of our neighbours. I think we’re doing something good for the micro-community.”
The “open-concept” custom designed homes are ultra-modern and functional, ranging from about 1,300 to 1,800 square feet
“Each unit has its own personality,” said Curran. “Each one has its own colours, details and materials.”
They are all impressive; bright and spacious with “generous” windows, massive glass doors to access side and rear gardens, 12to 14-foot ceilings accented by multiple skylights to allow natural light to cascade throughout each home. Exposed Douglas fir timber and massive posts are a striking composition as you walk past sprawling “gallery walls” meant to showcase art.
“The industrial windows, the glass blocks, the garage doors, the raw metal doors with (Brantford artist) Dave Hinds’ fabulous painting finishes to it are all things we think fit the building,” said Curran. “There’s lots of exposed steel, the floors are all wood … All of them have French limestone and glass tiles and unusual plumbing fixtures and lighting you wouldn’t see in a typical house.”
Each unit also incorporates natural wood burning fireplaces with built-in concrete hearths, a touch Curran said was an essential detail.
“Fire in every unit, because fire and water are really important to me. We try to put them in every building we do.”
The kitchens are roomy and practical with massive “floating style” custom millwork islands and wall cabinets. Natural stone countertops draw the eye towards the oversized pantries and storage drawers with built-in stacking laundry machines.
The largest unit, No. 11, has a few bonus features like a brick safe converted into a wine cellar. A roll-up garage door opens to a front deck. A steel staircase with maple treads leads you to a small writer’s loft that connects to a rooftop terrace. On the other side of the bathroom, an unexpected element — an outdoor shower with a fenced enclosure.
“These lemons you turn into lemonade are these ugly ducklings you turn into a neighbourhood landmark,” said Curran. “We’re trying to get people stimulated to think about the possibilities.”
A realtor priced units No. 7 and No. 9 at $699.99, and unit No. 11 is $999.11 partly to be “funny” said Curran but also to reflect the market value of the area.
“The mortgage rules are intended to take people on the entry level of the market, to be a little bit more responsible and sane in their purchases,” said Curran. “We’re not at entry level properties.”
“What we’re trying to do is raise the bar on architecture in town,” he added. “I built these like I would live in any of them.”