Development plans are before the City to completely redesign the former A&B Sound building in the downtown, to include a market, retail and office space along with at least one restaurant. (Colin Harper Architect)

By Alex Rawnsley

LONG OVERDUE

Development advancing to revamp vacant A&B Sound building in downtown Nanaimo

Apr 19, 2022 | 4:55 PM

NANAIMO — After sitting dormant for well over a decade, a prominent building in the city’s downtown is on track for a substantial face lift.

The former A&B Sound building wedged into the confluence of Terminal Ave, Commercial St and Wallace St. is poised to transform into a Granville Island-style market complete with retail outlets, office space and at least one restaurant.

Architect Colin Harper, who worked with property owners Steiner Properties to build plans for the project, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re keen to maintain the nostalgia and essence of the building.

“We’re trying to minimize the impact on the building, working with the existing structure and it’s actually quite a beautiful space inside so we’re trying to retain as much of that character as possible.”

Interior designs call for a clean, modern finish with plenty of natural light. (Colin Harper Architect)

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The modern and clean design will see frontages along Terminal Ave. and Commercial St. be largely glass and house multiple retail stores and a restaurant.

An open-concept market featuring stalls and kiosks will take up roughly half the ground floor, allowing room for the restaurant and commercial space to complete the bottom floor.

Above, offices and either a daycare centre or second restaurant are planned.

“We’ve intentionally brought as much light into that space as possible through opening up the ground floor,” Harper said. “In addition to that, we’re providing a double height atrium or void space which will bring light in through the second floor.”

Despite sitting bare since 2008 when A&B Sound closed its doors, Harper said the bones of the building remain strong and he was “expecting much worse” considering its age.

Inspections haven’t revealed any significant water damage, with the beams and posts supporting the second floor and roof in excellent condition.

He noted there needs to be some minor improvements done to the foundation, the scope of which is being reviewed by a geotechnical team.

While the general shape of the building will change, designers are pitching a cleaner, brighter fascade of the former A&B Sound building on Commercial St. (Colin Harper Architect/NanaimoNewsNOW Illustration)

The City of Nanaimo are currently reviewing a development permit application for the site, however their early feedback has been positive according to Harper.

The goal is to submit building permits in May, however the timeline is contingent on receiving feedback from the City and a number of other factors.

“It’s not going to take much to create a really nice end product with the intent of cleaning the building up and making minimal interventions,” Harper said on their long-term development plans for the site.

Harper said no major red flags have been raised so far which would substantially delay their timelines.

Consideration for the design, draws inspiration from the City’s plans to revitalize the Terminal Ave area, a multi-year project called “The Hub”.

Those efforts includes a yet-to-be decided use of the former Jean Burns site across the street.

“The Hub”, which includes more pedestrian friendly elements, will fit well with refurbishing the old A&B Sound building, Harper said.

An animation of the proposed changes to the Wallace St. and Commercial St. frontages of the former A&B Sound building in downtown Nanaimo. (Colin Harper Architect/NanaimoNewsNOW animation)

– with files from Ian Holmes

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley