Business is back at the site of the former Union Hotel with Coldwell Banker celebrating the grand reopening of the restored historic building July 3.
The real estate firm has transformed the Davis Drive and Main Street building after years of construction. With its own historical ties to the site, the firm is operating offices in the space but also plans to have a new community event space open in the fall.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said there is plenty of development happening along Davis Drive, but protecting heritage is also key.
“There’s a lot of growth and excitement, but heritage is important in the middle of that,” Taylor said. “It gives a community balance in history and perspective.”
The site has a long history, and was once home to the Union Hotel. It was built in 1882 and served many different purposes over the years, including a soda water works company, as well as housing a real estate company. It was previously under the Coldwell Banker name dating back to 1989, with several different Coldwell Banker real estate firms operating there.
The company decided to do a restoration of the aging heritage building, getting permits from the municipality to do so. Coldwell Banker owner Dean Artenosi said it is exciting to complete the project.
“It is such an honour and a pleasure to have taken this project on,” he said. “This design today represents a respect (for) heritage and history, while combining it with modern and the future. We have brought these buildings back to life.”
Ontario Real Estate Association CEO Tim Hudak was on hand for the announcement. He said investing in the building shows a commitment that the real estate firm has to Newmarket.
“Investing in this building here today has such historic significance,” Hudak said, adding that the Artenosi family's investment helps “the awesome work you do in Newmarket, in York Region, to help people find a great place to call home.”
