a bustling hub of residential, commercial,
waterway through the use of technology.’
retail and dining spaces – also promises to
I am transfixed and ever more curious as I
animate and inspire community. Albeit in a
listen to Paul describe this ‘mix of art, science
different way. At its centre is Gaslight Square,
and engineering which will be a perfect
envisioned as a vibrant urban park. Paul
example of creativity informing technology,
Kalbfleisch, Scott’s confidante and author
and vice versa.’
of Waterloo Region’s influential ‘Creative
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Intersections’ strategy, offers some insight into the vision driving these initiatives: ‘For HIP, home isn’t limited to the condos it builds,’ he says. ‘Instead, it’s about the lived spaces both inside and outside your condo. It’s about boardwalks and promenades, parks and squares. It’s about public spaces where culture and identity can flourish.’ Like Gaslight Square, to be sure.
Over in Hespeler Village, HIP is at it again with its Riverbank Lofts – a boutique adaptive re-use condominium development that’s transforming an iconic century-old factory on the banks of the Speed River into a modern living environment. Historic stone walls. Solid wood posts and beams. River views. Riverbank Lofts is the perfect project to reanimate an area that seems to have forgotten that it was once a bustling urban core. ‘I was
And Tapestry Hall, too, which will emerge as
born and raised in Cambridge,’ Scott remarks,
a premier event space inside the Gaslight
‘and grew up watching these iconic buildings
District – showcasing a phenomenal art
become derelict and run down.’ Ever poised
installation by University of Waterloo
to inspire and enable, he continues: ‘It’s a
Architecture professor and globally-renowned
dream of mine to build vibrancy, quality of
artist Philip Beesley. Titled Meander, this
living and economic success back into our
permanent piece of ‘living architecture’
communities. Riverbank Lofts [and, I would
derives its dominant themes from the Grand
add – in admiration – all of these distinctive
River, which flows through downtown Galt
projects that will surely re-define and
mere metres from Gaslight. ‘The Grand is a
enhance our region] promises to do just that.’
central piece of our region’s narrative,’ Paul explains, ‘and all too often we ignore it.’ He elaborates: ‘This dynamic piece of art is meant to bring attention back to the river, and it will literally react to the flow of the
.
Superhero, indeed
HIP DEVELOPMENTS
hipdevelopments.com