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The interior of Silversmith. Image from Insite Design.
Niagara is quickly making a name for itself as a craft brewery destination, which is fitting considering the already thriving wine and culinary environment. A few years ago, when a few craft breweries opened their doors, it was because a set of visionary owners saw a real void in the craft beer market in the Niagara. Now there is no longer a void but a thriving culture of craft beer as new breweries are continuing to open their doors and drawing visitors to the area. This is also having an interesting effect on the real estate in the Niagara Region. Owners have redeveloped and refurbished commercial buildings with the help of Canadian architects. Every place has it’s own unique style and branding, below is an overview of the redevelopment of some of the craft breweries in Niagara.
Current breweries
Silversmith Brewing Co.
If you have been to Silversmith before you were no doubt blown away by the interior design. The stunningly and rustic brewery is a former Anglican church that was built around 1984. Most recently the church was used as an antique shop, but with the purchase of the building the owners, Chris Pontsioen and Matthew Swan, restored and refreshed the building to highlight its 19th century architecture. They also added a separate room to house the modern brewing equipment. The building exudes character and it’s ivy covered exterior welcomes thousands of tourists yearly.
Oast House Brewery
Silversmith isn’t the only building to make a statement on Niagara Stone Road. The large red barn originally housed a fruit-basket manufacturing plant, a bank, a farmers’ co-op and a John Deere tractor dealership to name a few. To transform the building, Oast hired Quartek Group Inc. of St. Catharines, the team renovated the original barn structure and designed an additional a hay loft for an extra seating area that can also be used for events. Their branding and overall red rustic look was designed by Insite Group.
Brimstone Brewery
In Ridgeway, you will find the Brimstone Brewing Company, a Gothic edged micro-brewery that has recently expanded their brewing capabilities. The brewery is located in the lower level of the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, also a repurposed 20th century church. The Sanctuary was founded in 2010 and is owned by architect Jason Pizzicarola. The space underwent varied amounts of repurposing to become the arts and culture hub it is now. Brimstone Brewing opened it’s retail doors at the centre in 2013 with the help of Pizzicarola and brewmaster Rod Daigle.
Niagara Brewing Company
Taps on Queen in Niagara Falls, is no longer the only craft brewery in the City. Set to open in May 2015, the Niagara Brewing Company looks to make it’s mark on the infamous Clifton Hill. The Niagara Brewing Company is apart of Falls Avenue Resort, once the site of the historic Foxhead Inn. Not much is known about the retail space, what we do know is that it will be large enough for both retail and dining spaces. This will be the first venue of it’s kind on Clifton Hill with incredible real estate value, it will be interesting to see how the redesign fits in with the sometimes kitschy Clifton Hill.
Breweries still in the planning stages
Image of proposed Exchange Brewery from Williamson Chong
The Exchange Brewery
Looking to become the next craft brewery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Exchange Brewery hopes to open it’s door at 7 Queen Street right in the heart of the Old Town. The storefront served as NOTL’s telephone exchange headquarters for the first half of the 20th century, the building also boasts a historical neighbour in the Niagara Apothecary. The building will be redeveloped by Williamson Chong Architects once it’s current tenants lease expires later this year.
Brothers Brewing Company
You can find Pelham brothers Colton and Asa Proveaus signature brews across Niagara at local pubs such as Iggy’s, Kully’s and the Garrison House. The brothers have yet to find and develop a retail space of their own, but look for their space to indicative of the area and the general culture of micro-breweries developments in Niagara.
The craft brewery market probably won’t slow down anytime soon with Niagara College’s Brewmaster program producing hundreds of talented brewers each year. It will be interesting to continue to follow the transformation breweries make on ordinary commercial buildings within Niagara.
Read more about why commercial developers are looking to invest in Niagara by clicking here. To discuss opportunities to invest in Niagara, connect with a Niagara real estate appraiser.
