Studios at Hotel Hamilton

Project Description:

After proving the model of adapting old buildings to cultural uses was viable, Cobalt Connects was approached by local investors looking to engage in the process. Working with a team of investors, many of whom were arts supporters and downtown advocates, we embarked on finding the next building of interest.

James Street North had been in motion for a number of years as a cultural hub, and the property values were still very reasonable.  195 James Street was prime corner property with substantial ground floor commercial space, and two upper floors of small apartments. The building was in deplorable condition but had great bones and a stellar location.

Purchased by the owners, Cobalt Connects worked out the profile of the building, tenant mix and rental structure.  Over the course of a 12-month renovation, Cobalt Connects engaged the public in the process, retained the ground floor and upper floor tenants and the facility was launched as the next hot spot on James North in 2008.

The ground floor was taken on by Mulberry Coffeehouse and DeFacto Gallery, with 19 studios in the upper floors filled by painters, photographers, print makers and cultural consultants. Cobalt Connects managed the daily operations and pulled the Art Crawl up the stairs into the studios for five years before moving on to its next location.

Client: Private investment group

Collaborators: Building owners

Date: 2008 - 2013