Barrie, ON · In Progress
Fire-damaged commercial building restored as offices
A fire-damaged commercial building in Barrie being restored and converted into modern office space — a project that pairs fire restoration with a change of use. This is the build journal.
A build journal — photographed progress will be added as the owners and privacy allow.
Type
Commercial · Fire Restoration & Change of Use
Status
In Progress
Role
Project Management
Location
Barrie, ON
A commercial building gutted by fire is being brought back — restored to sound structure and converted into modern office space. It's two hard jobs in one: fire restoration, and a change of use under the Building Code that turns a damaged shell into a compliant, comfortable workplace. This journal follows the work as it happens.
The project, phase by phase
- 01
Fire assessment & make-safe
Before anything else: a full structural and fire/smoke damage assessment, insurance coordination, and making the site safe. We documented what could be saved and what had to go — on paper, before demolition.
- 02
Strip-out — fire damage & old fit-out
Fire and smoke reach further than the flames do. Out went the fire-damaged materials and the building's old fit-out and heavy servicing alike — back to a sound, honest shell we could rebuild on.
- 03
Structural restoration & change-of-use approvals
Restoring the fire-damaged structure to current code while reclassifying the building's use to office — a business occupancy under the Ontario Building Code, which drives the permits, life-safety, and servicing the office will need.
- 04
Systems & code compliance
Rebuilding for office use: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing and washrooms sized for the new occupancy, life-safety for a business occupancy, and barrier-free access — the work that makes the space legal, comfortable, and efficient.
- 05
Office build-out & finishes
Partitions, offices and meeting rooms, lighting, and finishes — a modern workplace built into a shell that, not long ago, was gutted by fire.
Fire restoration and a change of use are each demanding on their own; together they live or die on the assessment and code work up front. Get the structure and the occupancy reclassification right, and the finishes follow. We'll add to this journal as the office takes shape.
See more in our portfolio or our 6-phase process.
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