A proposal for the redevelopment of a semi-industrial building to a three-unit condominium near Bank and Cooper streets was put on hold last week amid concerns of residents and heritage officials.
Built in 1956, the building at 375 Cooper St. was bought in July by Paul Reichheld of Manray Glass and Aluminum Incorporated.
Set further forward on its lot than surrounding homes, it stands out on the block, says a report to the local architecture conservation advisory committee.
A contemporary new design proposed for the building and its structure will use several different materials, including stone and brick elements, as well as glass and charcoal painted aluminum panels, the report says.
The current structure is classified as a category four in the heritage district, which means it does not contribute to the heritage value of the area, says Lesley Collins, heritage planner.
“[It] doesn’t really fit in with the themes of the district,” she says.
Because the building is an anomaly, there are no clear guidelines as to how the design proposal should be handled, she says.
The new building should be sympathetic to, but not copy, the existing homes or surrounding area, Collins adds.
This idea came under fire at the advisory committee meeting last week. Resident Gabby van Husen says she does not want this “modified box” next to her home.
“This new design concept is very,very different from the kinds of structures on both sides of the street,” says van Husen, adding she also dislikes height additions to the building that would block light coming into her home.
Other residents and committee members brought up a variety of issues, such as the building's dark colour and the lack of red brick.
Because of these concerns and a need for more information, the commitee deferred the issue to a future meeting.
“I’m going into this with an open mind," says Reichheld. “If I get shot down, I’ll just leave the building the way it is and use it for my company.”