$6M teardown of Heritage Theatre Block will make way for new downtown destination Brampton

The city is now accepting offers to tear down a part of history in downtown Brampton to replace the Heritage Theatre Block with a “landmark development” and revitalization project.

Earlier this year some businesses were surprised to learn that their landlord, the city, had signed off on a plan to tear down several heritage properties on Main Street north of Queen Street.

The city’s goal is to transform the area “into a hub of activity” with arts and culture attractions, restaurants, more businesses and additional housing to meet the needs in the downtown.

Brampton City Council asked for a $6 million budget amendment to hire a demolition firm to tear down properties and redevelop the Heritage Theatre Block which includes businesses like the The Wee Smoke Shop at 65 Main St. North.

Now the city has formally opened the door to offers for the redevelopment of the block located at the northeast quadrant at Main Street and Queen Street into a business and entertainment hub.

“These strategic properties in the heart of Brampton will be re-imagined and transformed into an urban renewal project to support downtown revitalization,” ,” the city says of the Heritage Block redesign. “The vision is to re-imagine these properties as a landmark development at the historic Four Corners, complementing the Rose Theatre, Garden Square and the Innovation District.”

The redevelopment isn’t the only big change planned for downtown as the province announced plans to kickstart the Hurontario LRT project with an extension into Brampton just blocks from the demolition site.

First called the Capitol Theatre, the Heritage Theatre was built in 1922 and opened on February 28, 1923. The theatre was used by vaudeville acts and silent films with admission at just 30 cents for adults and 15 cents for children.

While the redevelopment plans could lead to the more than a century-old theater destroyed, the city is still actively seeking offers for its restoration and says it will be moving ahead with improvements to Garden Square, including an urban square, park, more benches, patio seating, planters and a gazebo.

On top of the $6 million budget shuffle, council also asked city staff to speed up efforts to acquire the remaining properties located at 22–28, 48, and 52 Main Street North.

The city has already spent over $1 million on structural assessments of the properties, with a report to council showing some of the buildings sit above the abandoned underground Etobicoke Creek channel.

Parties looking to make a proposal for the Heritage Theatre Block redevelopment have until April 30 at 2 p.m. to submit.

For more information on the Heritage Theatre Block redevelopment visit www.Brampton.ca.