The developers of Newmarket's clock tower hotel are asking the community to help make the project a bustling centre for the town.
Streetcar Developments presented to Newmarket’s economic development advisory committee Feb. 15, providing an update on the project and a preliminary look at the design. The renovation at the clock tower at 180 Main St. will see three floors, with a total of 55 guest rooms, along with a rooftop event space and restaurant.
But beyond that, Streetcar founder and president Les Mallins said they plan to engage with the community over the summer to figure out what events or activities might be held in the space. He said they want to have programming unique to Newmarket.
“We have a lot of learning to do. We know we love the town, we love the building and everything we’ve learned in this short period of time,” Mallins said. “(We want to) learn what types of events specifically, what kind of cultural programming specifically, will work well in the town of Newmarket. The idea is for it to act as a little bit of a community centre.”
The developers have done similar restorations at historic Toronto hotels, the Broadview and Gladstone. They highlighted those projects and the floor plan for 180 Main St. Besides rooms, the hotel will have an outdoor patio on the ground floor, as well as a cafe and lounge. The rooftop space will have indoor and outdoor dining available, acting as an event space rental with a maximum of approximately 130 seated.
“You get a real panoramic view of the surrounding neighborhood and treetops,” Streetcar vice-president of corporate development Alie Warren said of the rooftop.
Committee member Beth Stevenson, founder and president of the film company Brain Power Studio, said it would give celebrity actors a place to stay other than the medium-sized chain hotels in town. She said many assistants have previously opted to get actors accommodations in Toronto.
“This is a game changer for us,” Stevenson said.
Committee member Marek Dabrowski said as a longtime hotel owner, he is excited.
“It will put Newmarket on the map,” Dabrowski said. “It’s a great, great addition for our town.”
Warren said renovations are underway in the interior, with construction on the rooftop addition expected to begin this summer. The hotel plans to open in spring 2023.
Mallins said they will be engaging in the summer, when citizens are active, to learn the best things for the hotel to include for the community.
“We look forward to learning what those things are,” Mallins said.
