Arten Development Group’s Dean Artenosi said the company has spared no expense in restoring the former site of the Union Hotel at one of Newmarket's most prominent intersections.
Residents have watched over the past few years as the company has redeveloped the fixture at the corner of Main Street and Davis Drive since the late 1800s. With permits from the town for the reconstruction meant to respect the history of the building, Artenosi said they have worked to turn it into both good office and event space.
After a few years of work, the Union is ready to open July 3. Artenosi said the project is well over budget, with a total cost of more than $4 million, but the end result is worthwhile.
“It’s been quite a process restoring these buildings,” Artenosi said. “It’s certainly not black and white and all kinds of issues arose … That being said, we’re happy to produce a quality restoration of this very historical site for the community, and we’re proud of our accomplishments here.
“Taking on a project like this it almost doesn’t make economic sense,” he added. “However, we’re not here just for economics. We’re here basically to contribute back to the community.”
The Union Hotel is a storied circa-1882 structure, sold by the Regional Municipality of York several years ago. The buildings have had many different uses over the years beyond a hotel, including a soda company and also possibly a brothel based on historical records, according to the Newmarket’s Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee.
Arten Development Group obtained a heritage permit and construction work began in earnest in 2021. The plan is for it to house the real estate firm Coldwell Banker, which has a historical tie to the site having owned and occupied the premises about 60 years ago.
The heritage restoration work was vetted and approved by the municipality. Artenosi said the foundations were “disastrous” and left the basement unusable. To address it, Artenosi said construction managers Maren Construction had to raise the building and install 3,600-pound beams, creating tall ceilings.
The two buildings, 425 and 431 Davis Dr., are connected. While 431 Davis will be dedicated to office space for Coldwell Banker, along with the upper parts of 425 Davis. Dr, lower levels at 425 will become event space for the community. That event space will open in the fall, run by a specialized event company, Artenosi said.
“The vision was to bring community and business together,” Artenosi said.
The new structure is more than 10,000 square feet indoors, with construction about 98 per cent complete, he said.
“We’ve brought it back to life,” he said. “With modern yet historical architecture and functionality.”
You can RSVP to the July 3 ribbon cutting event here.
