Two registered historical properties on Barrington Street may be getting a facelift.
Municipal staff will present a report to regional council tomorrow that recommends “minor alterations” to the buildings located at 1652, 1656 and 1662 Barrington St. to include increased office space.
The buildings, owned by Starfish Properties, previously housed Sam the Record Man and Granite Brewery, but now sit vacant.
The most substantial of the proposed alterations is a two-storey addition to 1662 Barrington. The addition would be set back 10 feet from the building’s front facade, and would be “highly complementary” to the buildings original design, the report says.
Other changes include interior renovations and altering the external facades of the buildings.
Downtown Coun. Dawn Sloane said yesterday the alterations are a “no-brainer,” and hopes that newly refurbished office space will attract businesses back downtown.
“That’s what it’s all about: Making sure we have new businesses coming into the downtown,” she said. “Not fleeing to the suburbs or to a business park.”
Council has a few options going forward, including approving the alterations without conditions, approving the alterations with conditions, or refusing the alterations outright.
