When Paul Kwiczala looks around the ground floor of 140 Caroline Street South in Hamilton, he doesn’t see exposed walls and sawdust; he sees smiling customers being warmly received in a beautiful space by a welcoming business owner. As the Director of Construction and Project Management at Forge & Foster, Paul is the interface between architectural concepts and hard-working local tradespeople who bring plans to life. He exemplifies the company’s core value of collaboration and works closely with local companies like Laundry Design Works, who help create compelling renderings, and United Glass, who take care to implement high-quality glass elements into building upgrades.
Forge & Foster is focused on value-add real estate investment, which involves making physical improvements to properties, positioning them to connect with tenants who are the best fit, and addressing bottlenecks such as zoning which may be impediments to the full usage of the properties. 140 Caroline is located in Hamilton’s beautiful and historic Durand neighbourhood. Unfortunately, the building has not been tenanted for years and hasn’t matched the dynamism and positive vibe of the area. Highlights of Forge & Foster’s revitalization of this property include renovating and tenanting all units, including multiple accessible ground floor storefronts, and a stunning mural from renowned Hamilton artist Richard Mace.
As Paul talks excitedly about the plans for the property, it’s clear he has found his home, literally and figuratively. Holding a master’s degree in civil engineering from Ryerson University, Paul has a background in materials sciences and previously worked in research and development for a concrete company in Toronto. As an early investor in Forge & Foster, Paul was impressed by the company’s approach to real estate and eventually decided to move to Hamilton to join the organization as an employee. He has a deep respect for how Hamilton cherishes its history and is proud to be part of a company that works hard to restore historical buildings, instead of demolishing them. Ultimately, he says, vibrant properties are critical elements of authentic neighbourhoods, which bring vitality to cities.
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Forge & Foster’s Shared Value Initiative identifies and pursue initiatives that create benefits and opportunities for all Forge & Foster stakeholder groups. Our spotlights showcase stakeholders who are committed to shared value and the company’s purpose of bringing vitality to cities through real estate investment.