Village Squire, 1978-01, Page 31the heart of Stratford has been sold to
London developer Glen Wood along with
the Beamish and Stratford Factors
buildings.
Wood was the man in charge of the
Talbot Inn restoration in London and plans
a similar rejuvenation program in
Stratford.
Stratford city council had purchased a
total of six downtown buildings back in
1973 as part of what it saw as a downtown
redevelopment to include a major
hotel -retail -residential complex. But time
after time proposals for redevelopment fell
through leaving the city with expensive
downtown real estate on its hands, and
buildings that were deteriorating while
detracting from the appearance of the
downtown area.
Meanwhile the controversy swirled as to
whether the redevelopment should take
place at all. While many were for a modern
downtown look. others including many
visitors to the city fought for retention of
the stately old buildings. In the end the
latter group won more or less by default.
The plans call for retention of the facade
of the Gordon and Beamish buildings with
the interiors to be gutted. The main floor
will contain six retail outlets perhaps
including Tradewinds Interiors, a gift and
furniture shop Wood owns in London.
A cafe -style restaurant will be housed on
the second floor overlooking Ontario Street
and Lake Victoria. On the same floor will
be offices. The third floor will contain 10
bachelor and one -bedroom apartments.
Meanwhile the city expects to sell the
other three buildings to the Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce.
CAN SPRING HE FAR AWAY?
Winter got you down? Spring seem far
away? Well cheer up. Long before the first
robin .comes the first sign of spring.
Rehearsals have already begun for the
Stratford Festival.
The rehearsals began Dec. 12 for Uncle
Vanya at the Avon Theatre in Stratford.
The play will open the Festival season on
June 5.
Starring in the show will be William Hutt
as Uncle Vanya, Mervyn Blake as Waffles
and Brian Bedford as Astrov. Making his
first appearance as a director will be Urjo
Kareda, former critic and the Festival's
literary manager who will co -direct with
Robin Philips.
The Stratford production will be a new
translation of the Anton Chekhov play by
John Murrell, a Calgary playwright.
`lou��asuYe
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EYBOARDS
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Thanks from us to you.
27 Ontario St., Stratford Ph. 273-0213
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VILLAGE SQUIRE/JANUARY 1978, 39.