Innovation Park unveils vision for Hamilton heritage building

HAMILTON, ONT. — McMaster Innovation Park in west Hamilton has released its vision for a heritage renovation project that foresees the creation of specialized laboratories and flexible office environments.

Located at 606 Aberdeen Ave., the existing heritage structure incorporates Building 606 and the Glass Warehouse, which used to be part of the former Westinghouse Corporation factory that occupied the site, states a release.

In 2019, the design firm mcCallumSather began working with McMaster Innovation Park on a feasibility study for the 350,000-square-foot adaptive reuse project.

Building 606 is a reinforced concrete-framed structure with four floors and a roof slab. The concrete columns and perimeter beams are exposed, with bands of windows and brick masonry infill in the bays.

The Glass Warehouse extends to the north of Building 606. The structure is comprised of four main bays, each aligned in a north-south axis. Each bay is framed with steel columns supporting roof trusses that spans the width of each bay.

“Our vision for this project is to bring a mix of specialized laboratories, event and common spaces, flexible office environments, bridges and nests,” said Ty Shattuck, CEO of McMaster Innovation Park, in a statement. “The initial concept has been designed to provide inspirational, connected spaces that foster creativity and collaboration while reflecting the forward-looking aspirations of the park.”

McMaster Innovation Park recently released plans for its campus master plan which, at full build-out, will encompass 2.5-million square feet of purpose-built facilities.

“Building on our work on the master plan we developed a beautiful and innovative concept, balancing cultural heritage value with modern, flexible amenities,” said Christina Karney, associate at mcCallumSather.

Besides mcCallumSather, whose responsibilities are heritage consultation, architecture, laboratory consultation and mechanical engineering, other consultants are: John G. Cooke Associates – structural engineering; SEI – electrical engineering; MTE – civil engineering; GSP – planning; and LNG Studios – visualizations.