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A 1960s low-slung office building at the corner of Main Street and East 4th Avenue would be given a major makeover under plans recently submitted to the City by Westbank and Henriquez Partners Architects. The development team is eyeing to convert the Royal Bank of Canada processing facility into the first phase of a digital media and tech campus.
In an interview with Daily Hive, Westbank CEO Ian Gillespie said that the building would house space for social media management company Hootsuite, along with a number of other firms specializing in the digital world. Gillespie and Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes established a "personal partnership" in 2015 to envision the multi-faceted campus and subsequently secured the subject lands for $40.5 million.
The development application notes a slight increase in the building's overall floor area, growing from 57,600 square feet to approximately 60,000 square feet, largely to permit an upgraded lobby and the addition of balconies on the west facade. A 'living screen' hanging over the facade of the existing building would be composed of vertical sunshades and perforated panels. The exterior device would provide a support framework for urban landscaping, helping to activate the streetscape below. It would also incorporate the proposed outdoor balcony spaces, where tenants can look out onto the streets.
Renderings for the project show how the building may meet the street. The architectural drawings underscore an opportunity for the provision of colourful murals at the base of the building, cementing Mount Pleasant's image as a bustling creative community.
If approved, the development could spark further investment in the tech industries and creative culture that already defines much of the area's character. Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
