Feature Stories
Converted Spaces: From Industrial To Residential
By John Burns and Carly Sheridan published Sep 1, 2010
“You can’t help but be part of the community,” says the owner. “There’s a constant stream of people up and down the street”
The current owner of 708 Hawks Avenue is delighted to have found a spot on Strathcona’s “it” street. “It’s quite quiet for one thing. And it’s fascinating, everything about it is interesting—there’s such a great mix of people and things that happen. And weirdness.” According to James Johnstone, a local historian who maintains the site Househistorian.com, 708 was built in 1905 for policeman Thomas Crawford, who died there two years later. In 1922, his widow sold the property to Nicola and Marianna Di Tomaso, who constructed the storefront addition. The building was named the Georgia Confectionery and stayed with the Di Tomasos until 1975 (the same year the Hawks Grocery across the street was condemned, only to be later rehabilitated—Johnstone lives there now in a converted suite.)
The multi-use nature of the property is a classic feature of historic Strathcona, where RT-3 zoning (allowing two-family residences in buildings) encourages owners to retain and restore character buildings. And because the candy shop was designed to entice passersby (and separate neighbourhood kids from their nickels), it speaks directly to the pavement outside it. “What I like about it is its problem,” says the owner. “You can’t help but be part of the community. There’s a constant stream of people up and down the street; there’s always somebody walking by.” In the couple of years he’s lived there, he’s gone out of his way to return the favour, opening the 2,300-square-foot house—known locally as “The Fishbowl”—to his neighbours by participating in heritage walking tours and community events. Candy for the eye and the soul.—J.B.
Fascinated? See an electric substation turned home.
