1. Adventures in heritage renovating
Kurt Peacock
Owner, Saint John News Building

2. So you want to renovate an old building?
Get your finances in order
Talk to a good architect or engineer
Plan for the long term
Find a good ‘crew’ of skilled trades
Be patient, but have fun

3. The Story of 56 Canterbury
Built after Great Fire in 1877
In heart of Uptown Saint John
Purchased the building in 2005; top floor a clean slate
Have kept same tenants since becoming landlord

4. The plan for development
To develop 3rd floor loft apartment
Restore exterior windows over time
Unveil architectural features, such as exposed brick or tin ceilings

5. Finding the right trades
Ask around
Be patient
Take advantage of any heritage help that is available
Keep close tabs on capital costs

6. Be prepared to get dirty

7. …and do lots and lots of work.

8. Remember when I said work?

9. I wasn’t kidding.

10. Life sometimes gets in the way
Our construction plans were changed with arrival of our daughter
It took longer than planned, but the loft apt. became a family affair
My 2 kids now both say they want to live at the apt. when they are adults

11. The finished product

12. Are all the sweat and tears worth it?
Purchased the building for $122K
Latest assessed value $293K
Property value has increased 140 % in roughly ten years
Lived rent free while on site; in years since building has always returned a profit

13. Another way to look at the value of the Saint John News Building

14. Thanks for caring about heritage!