THUNDER BAY - The historic Bay Street Finnish Labour Temple will maintain much of its outside façade, but renovations are well underway on the inside that will see some big changes.
Brad McKinnon, the new owner of the building, said the interior has been completely gutted, bringing it back to the original frame and foundation in the basement to prepare its transformation into apartments.
“One of the biggest challenges we have seen with this building is the multitude of renovations that have happened. It’s an old building. It’s 110 years old,” McKinnon said.
“Over the years, decade after decade, different things have been done to the building. Getting back to the original foundation and the original framing was very important for us. Trying to reconstruct a building while keeping an old shell and heritage aspects, trying to add spray foam insulation, new wiring, new plumbing, update the heating system. We are trying to make the building as efficient and safe as possible, which is why we have to reframe the entire inside of the structure.”