From Daily Commercial News, by Don Wall,
Forge & Foster’s 190,000-square-foot adaptive reuse project at the site of a former twine factory in Brantford, Ont. is another example of how the firm sizes up a heritage property that’s past its prime, assesses its redevelopment value and makes a final investment decision with something akin to love in its heart.
The firm’s director of strategy and research Alex Manojlovich and director of asset management Jess Malta frequently use the word “beautiful” when describing the 120-year-old Cordage Heritage District property at 111 Sherwood Dr.
The original twine factory, Brantford Cordage, at one time employed 900 people with rail cars that would be loaded for export. It was the largest rope manufacturer in Canada before its demise in 1968. A rope and twine-making operation is still present on the property.
Enter Forge & Foster, which is redeveloping the four existing brick buildings into a mixed-use commercial community. The project boasts a growing and eclectic list of tenants including a church, cycle shop, event space, bridal centre, craft brewery, poutine shop and pottery space.
