The former Dickson Public School is located on a prominent site overlooking historic downtown Galt. This adaptive reuse project proposes a two-phased approach to the redevelopment of this former primary school building and property, into leasable commercial and residential units.

The first phase converts the existing protected heritage stone structure into modern, accessible, flexible, and scalable office spaces without compromising the character of the existing building. Working creatively within the historic roofline, opportunities were found to maximize leasable area. Renovations to the main front entry and the insertion of a LULA elevator means the facility will be fully accessible. A new vehicle entrance at St. Andrews Street creates a prominent address, and improved overall access to the site.

The second phase includes the development of 10 new, two-storey, 3 bedroom residential townhouse rental units. The design for the units takes inspiration from adjacent row-houses, and similar building typologies. Locating the units along the steeply sloping portion of the site allows for full walk-out basements that maximize the view to the Grand River valley below, and to provide private exterior amenity space. The building itself acts as a retaining wall to create a level area for unit parking and front porches. Official Plan Amendment (OPA), Zone Change Application, Heritage Impact Assessment, Site Plan Approval, Municipal Consent, Regional approval, have been approved in principle.

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