CREblurb | Commercial Real-Estate in Ontario

Investing in Commercial Real Estate? Think Hamilton.

Investing in Commercial Real Estate? Think Hamilton.

Investing in Commercial Real Estate? Think Hamilton.
May 18
18:49 2018

Wilson Blanchard believes in investing in commercial real estate within the Hamilton area, for 20 years.

Wilson-Blanchard believes in downtown Hamilton. The developer and property management company have been investing in the city’s core for more than 20 years, growing a portfolio of office buildings that range in size from 18,000 to 195,000 square feet.

“Our offerings range from prestigious Class A space suitable for multi-national tenants, smaller entry-level spaces for startups, and heritage buildings for tenants looking to set themselves apart,” says Wilson-Blanchard senior property manager, Robert Miles. “By leveraging our broad array of buildings, we are able to accommodate a multitude of needs that tenants typically face.”

The company manages more than 23 million square feet of commercial, industrial and residential space across Ontario. “We have a vested interest in our tenants’ success,” says Miles. “If they have a specific vision for a space we will work with them to help bring that vision to life.”

In downtown Hamilton, Wilson-Blanchard recently welcomed two diverse companies into space that was just the right fit.

Regus, the world’s largest workspace provider with 106 locations across Canada alone, opened its first shared workspace and
co-working centre in Hamilton this February.

“We are great believers in the type of business and startup community that’s been developed in Hamilton,” says Wayne Berger, executive vice-president of Regus Canada. “We’ve been looking for the right opportunity, at the right location, in the right neighbourhood.”

The fifth floor of 21 King St.W offered all three.

Steps from Jackson Square and a quick walk to the Hamilton GO Centre, the 16-story office tower is located in the heart of downtown, offering easy access to shopping, local cafes, restaurants, and park space.

The new Hamilton workspace offers private and shared offices, a large collaborative co-working space and multiple team-meeting rooms. It will also host networking events and educational workshops for the local business community.

“Wilson-Blanchard were a great partner. They are not just interested in managing a property, but also in building up the vibrancy of Hamilton,” says Berger. “They played a key role in helping ensure that we were able to design and build the right space to provide more access to co-working in the city.”

David Premi of DPAI Architecture Inc. also partnered with Wilson-Blanchard to find and create an office environment that supports his company culture.

His growing architectural firm moved into 25 Main St.W last November.

The 22-storey office tower was designed by notable Canadian architect Stan Rosco – the man behind other city landmarks including Hamilton’s City Hall – and has a relatively small floor-plate of around 6,700 square feet.

“We were able to take an entire floor here, which gives us a real sense of ownership,” Premi says.

Locating in a traditional corporate tower gave DPAI Architecture Inc. the opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a firm dedicated to urban renewal and creative design, says Premi. “We don’t have a corporate culture at all, so what we’ve done is move into what would be considered unexpected space and customized that space to suit our personality and company values.”

That means removing compartmentalized offices to create a completely open floor- plan and taking down the dropped ceilings to expose the concrete slab, which gives the
space a contemporary, industrial look.

Today, everyone who enters the DPAI office enjoys 360-degree views over Lake Ontario, the Escarpment, and downtown Hamilton. “We can look out the window at the city that we are helping to build,” comments Premi.

“Wilson-Blanchard was very accommodating,” he adds. “We found great synergies working together.”

Hamilton offers commercial tenants like DPAI Architecture Inc. and Regus several benefits over the GTA, says Miles.

Situated in the economic heart of Southwestern Ontario, it provides easy access to downtown Toronto, Kitchener- Waterloo, and the US border, and offers a relatively low cost of living as well as an excellent quality of life.

Please click the following links to learn more about: Wilson-Blanchard, Regus, City of Hamilton Economic Development Division, Jackson Square, GO Transit, DPAI Architecture, U.S Border & CreBlurb.com.

About Author

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Lloyd Stevens has been writing Canadian business news for over 20 years with articles appearing in Perspective which appears in The Globe & Mail and contributing to ThinkHamilton.blog and Creblurb.com

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