If successful with their upcoming rezoning application, the Hanley’s are planning to demolish the 100-year-old former Brookfield factory on Lemarchant Road. ContributedArticle contentWith their plans to renovate the former Brookfield factory no longer financially viable, Greg and Ivy Hanley are starting from scratch. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentEarlier this week, the owners of Urban Market 1919 on Lemarchant Road announced their plans to pivot away from repurposing the former ice cream factory into a multi-use commercial facility. Article contentArticle contentInstead, they will be demolishing the structures in favour of three new buildings, including a brand new Urban Market 1919 location and a 12-storey condominium building with 192 units and underground parking.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWhile the bones of the 100-year-old structure remain solid, the renovations required to transform the space to meet their vision proved too costly to be viable, prompting a major pivot into the condo market with plans to help alleviate the burden of the city’s housing crisis.Article content“It was a massive undertaking, and we knew that going into it,” Greg Hanley told The Telegram.Article content“But you have to try. We had planned to turn it into a multi-use building with some light manufacturing, some recreation use, community use and retail use. To encompass those items into that building and to bring it up to a standard where it was safe and would have a long-term benefit financially and to the community, the costs were just too high.”Article content‘There’s a need for housing’Article content Ivy and Greg Hanley are the co-owners of Urban Market in St. John’s and are happy to pivot their dream to be a part of the solution to the city’s housing crisis. Photo by The TelegramArticle contentThe Hanley’s new vision for the Brookfield District is divided into three projects. Article contentThe first is a new standalone structure for The Cove Bouldering and Café, complete with its own lot and parking. Article contentArticle contentThe current home of the Urban Market 1919 will be demolished in favour of a larger, more accessible space with improved efficiency and parking. It will be erected alongside the project’s main component, the proposed 192-unit condo building. Article contentArticle content“Right now, there is a market for a product like that,” Greg explained.Article content“We feel the location is fantastic. There’s a need for housing. We decided to go with 12 storeys and 192 units. There’s 48 two-bedroom units and 144 one-bedroom units.”Article contentWhile their plans no longer involve the retrofitting of the historic former factory, Ivy says they plan to repurpose as much material as they can, both to preserve the area’s rich history and to incorporate some of that classic, vintage feel into the new buildings.
12-storey condo building planned for Brookfield District in St. John’s
