by Brent Eades
Plans are underway to launch a ‘creative incubator’ on the second floor of 65 Mill Street — a shared space that would offer short-term rentals to artists, writers, designers and other creative entrepreneurs.
Local creative consultant Pat Arbour is in discussions with building owner Stephen Brathwaite about renovations to the space, which has been unused for many years. The intent is to convert it into a bright, attractive workspace that would foster creative and business ‘cross-pollination’ for tenants.
Rents would be modest, and leases would run for as little as three months. (Longer terms would also be available.) The finished space would offer access to the newly-restored heritage balcony that runs along the front of the building, and perhaps in time to an open-air rooftop area at the rear of the structure, overlooking the river.
Pat Arbour has worked as creative director with some of North America’s leading advertising agencies, and currently runs his own consultancy, justhink. He sees his role in the proposed ‘Creative House’ space as that of a mentor, someone who can bring the benefit of his decades of experience in the field to fellow creatives.
Other plans for the building
Owner Stephen Brathwaite and his partners have been working with Arnprior architect Richard White on planning other improvements to the 65 Mill property and the adjoining space at 73 Little Bridge, whose ground-floor occupants are Tin Barn Market and Baker Bob’s. The current concept is to link both properties with a common stairwell and second-floor corridor, which could eventually connect to new condos on the second floor of the Little Bridge structure. Additions to the rear of both buildings are also being considered.
Anyone interested in future involvement in either space can get in touch with Stephen or Pat:
Pat Arbour
justhink@sympatico.ca
Stephen Brathwaite
613-794-4816
