Hamilton Terrace, a Beltline rooming house recently connected to a well-publicized murder, may be converted into office space. Full story at this link (free access as of this writing)
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 05&k=90710
CHI's response to the application is below. Here is a link to a pdf of the proposal going to Calgary Planning Commission on Thursday August 24:
http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/BU/pla ... 6_0064.pdf
RE: File Number LOC2006-0064
Hamilton Terrace
August 2, 2006
File Manager: Dwayne Drobot
Hamilton Terrace (the property in question) is a very good example of a
purpose-built rooming house from the period prior to World War One. The
exterior of the building appears to be in fairly original condition and
seems structurally sound. The brick at the front of the building was
stuccoed over sometime in the 1970s, and the portico is also a recent
addition, but these unsympathetic modifications can be repaired. The
building is not currently on the muncipal inventory of potential historic
sites, but it is likely eligible for the list and should be evaluated. A
variety of building types and uses defined the neighbourhood character 90
years ago and are still considered assets in the community.
The Calgary Heritage Initiative Society supports the application of the
owner to include office uses, as we support the adaptive reuse of historic
buildings. But we do ask that the heritage value of the building be
maintained as a condition of the change of land use. The Beltline ARP
generally supports the preservation of older buildings through conversion
to other uses, and more specifically supports the conversion of buildings
on the heritage inventory and houses built prior to 1950. It also supports
flexibility in parking requirements for buildings on the heritage
inventory. The change of use and the parking relaxation would be more
strongly supported if the land use also assured the retention of the
building’s significant historic elements, through sympathetic repair and
renovation, to the satisfaction of the Heritage Planner.
For example, the original exterior appearance finishes and structure of
the building should be restored and not be significantly or
unsympathetically altered. The integrity of the building should not be
compromised by uncomplimentary additions or structures. And interior
finishes and structural elements (e.g. stairs) that remain from when the
building was first constructed should also be re-used and restored without
significant alteration to the extent possible. Finally, the owner may wish
to consider municipal designation as certain benefits are available to
designated buildings under the Beltline ARP.
We recognize that this has been a ‘troubled’ building and that flexibility
is required. At the same time, the heritage potential of the building has
perhaps been overlooked. We want to commend the owner for taking this step
to finding a new and productive use for Hamilton Terrace.
Sincerely,
Jacky Durrie
Member
Calgary Heritage Initiative Society
Bob van Wegen
External Director
Calgary Heritage Initiative Society
cc. Ald. Madeleine King
Darryl Cariou, Heritage Planner
Beltline Planning Group
*********************************************
The following is from a follow-up note to Calgary Planning Commission:
Hamilton Terrace LOC2006-0064
The Calgary Heritage Initiative applauds the adaptive reuse of this
Beltline rooming house, and we expressed our general support for the
change of use application in our letter of August 2, 2006 to the File
Manager, Dwayne Drobot. The Administration report calls for retention of
the building and references its potential heritage value. But the report
is implicit not explicit in asking that the heritage elements of the
building be respected in the renovation. While the details will presumably
be addressed at DP stage, it would be helpful if CPC gave clear direction
by requiring that that repair and renovation be sympathetic to the
building’s historic character.
