Ladysmith Machine Shop

Built in 1943, the Comox Logging and Railway Company Shop building, referred to as the Machine Shop, was added to the Ladysmith Community Heritage Register in 2014. The Machine Shop needs considerable upgrades to give it a long, purposeful life.  At present, the building is largely occupied but does have empty, underutilized and inefficient space that could be repurposed. Upgrading will be phased, with top priorities being to stabilize the structure of the building; to reinforce and rebuild the roof structure and assembly.

Several meetings with representative of the current tenant groups and ownership created a basis of design for the reimagination of this historic building. Ground level studio spaces in the building will be made available to small, independent artists, creating a draw on site and allowing people to watch them at work, and giving the artists the opportunity to sell their art on site.

The Machine Shop has the potential to become a focus in the community, serving as a destination for both residents and visitors to Ladysmith.  

LOCATION: Ladysmith, BC
CLIENT: Town of Ladysmith
PROGRAM: Building Restoration
SIZE: 1,360 sqm
STATUS: Completed