Chedoke House (Balfour House) Office Conversion

In 2019, our early involvement included meetings with our client (Cardus) and City of Hamilton Heritage staff to clarify heritage processes and timelines for the adaptive reuse of the house into offices and included the preparation of a Functional Plan for the future renovations of the potential tenant (Cardus), which was later approved by Council. In 2020, our office worked in collaboration with code consultants, to establish an Alternate Solution for exiting and fire safety which allowed for only minor alterations to the building. In 2022, our office coordinated a consultant team (Heritage consultant Meaghan Hobson and Conservation Architect Julian Smith, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural and Code Consultants) and produced design documents for a Conservation Plan (CP), requested by OHT to approve the client’s proposed use of the property. This Plan guided the protection and enhancement of the cultural heritage value and related heritage attributes of the estate. It became the basis for the scope of the project, and any future alterations or maintenance the clients would undertake.

The goal is to conserve, reinforce, and restore Chedoke House respecting the architectural value, the archaeological value, and the character defining elements of the property, as described in the Statement of Heritage Significance by the Ontario Heritage Trust. It has been an honor to work on this project and see that this Hamilton gem be protected for future generations.