10-unit redevelopment proposed for former Home Hardware in Stratford

After more than two years of sitting empty, there's finally a plan for the former Home Hardware in Stratford, P.E.I.

Stratford Town Council granted preliminary approval to an application from Charlottetown architecture firmSable Arc Studios to redevelop the property located at 14 KinlockRd.

The renovation will include a complete redesign of the exterior and interior of the building to become a 10-unit commercial property.

"We feel it's a good news story for Stratford," said Mayor DavidDunphy. "It's a property that's in a key location in the town, it's in the heart of the town, a high-traffic area with lots of parking and of course a big building there that can be used."

The town has beenlooking for a potentialnew owner forthe property since Home Hardware closed its doors for good prior to Christmas in 2015, affecting 60 staff.

VancoFarms Ltd.came close to purchasing the propertylast spring, but backed away from a potential deal because of a legal dispute involving Home Hardware and developer Tim Banks. The legal dispute is ongoing.

Now, Vanco's sister company, Tangible Capital Inc.,has agreed to a long-term leasing deal with Home Hardware with an eye to eventually owning the building.

Robert Haggis, principal architect for Sable Arc Studios, said 50 to 60 per cent of the building has been spoken for, with a plan that includes two large tenants. The concept plans drawn up for the preliminary approval from Stratford are subject to change based on tenants' needs, he said.

Haggis expects construction tobegin in the summer and would include a complete facelift of the building and additional parking.

"I'm very excited to see this," he said. "Outside of being given a reasonably complex project because there are a lot of moving parts, it's also nice to be a part of something thatmy children will be able to experience and drive by to Stratford school every day."

The town of Stratford has grown rapidly in recent years and more commercial space is needed, Dunphy said.

"We feel that there is a demand for additional commercial development in Stratford and we think this development is certainly going to help push that and make that happen and hopefully it will be a bit of a catalyst for additional development going forward," Dunphy said.

Sable Arc Studios will nowworkmore with the tenants on what they need for the buildingand thenprovidethe town with more detailed information of its plans for the site. Those plans will need to be reviewed by town staff prior to the issuing of a development permit.

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