HOME IMPROVEMENT
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Former motel getting converted to apartments By Duane Hicks Staff writer dhicks@fortfrances.com Renovations to both the outside and inside of the former Voyageur Inn here continue to move ahead. The building, which closed in March, 2014 after a fire, was purchased at the beginning of this year by local businessman Mark Howarth, who also owns Leon’s Home Furnishings Superstore. Since that time, Howarth and a crew of workers have been overhauling the building, with the aim to fix up the upper level into apartments, as well as eventually leasing the restaurant and ground level for office or retail space. The first step was to remove anything damaged by fire and smoke. Thanks to good work by firefighters, the blaze was wellcontained, with damage mostly confined to the main staircase and soot in the hallway. After that, the overhaul began with the addition of a metal, maintenance-free peaked roof. They then had to rebuild the walls on the top floor and put up metal siding. “That was a big job because it all had to be done with a lift,” noted Howarth. “And unless you had two or three lifts going, it was kind of slow going.” Now the crew is working on the bottom half of the
building—gutting it in anticipation of doing the fire separation that must be completed before anyone can move in upstairs. They also will be installing footings on the outer walls for the 15’ x 8’ decks that will be put in for each of the upstairs apartments. Howarth noted the current phase of work has been going a little slow given there’s only a few people, including himself, working at it. “We didn’t do quite so much over the summer because there was better things to do in this town in the summertime,” he admitted. “But we’re getting back at it hard now.” The space above the former Kettle’s Restaurant will be a three-bedroom apartment. Howarth said he has an interested tenant for that, and will make it a priority to get the tenant into there within the next few months, He then will take care of the other apartments. The apartments have been gutted and new interior walls have been built. Some electrical work still needs to be done before they can proceed. “Once the electrical is done, there’s a whole lot of gyprock to go up and plumbing, too,” noted Howarth. “There’s still lots of work to do.” He added it’s likely it will be next spring before all of the
apartments are ready. There will be eight apartments in total. Since all the middle rooms have joining rooms, they’ll be made into apartments using the one room as a big bedroom and the other as a kitchen and living room. The apartments also will get new windows, flooring, ceilings, kitchens, bathrooms, and closets. Apartments will share a laundry room. The lower level will be a warehouse for Leon’s—at least for the time being. But Howarth noted it would make for a good location for a doctor’s or dentist’s office or business. Meanwhile, the former Kettle’s Restaurant has been cleaned up and is equipped to be re-opened. “It’s all looking nice if anybody wants to start cooking and open up a restaurant,” said Howarth. While the space needs to be painted, and needs new floors and furnishings, he added, the stove, deep fryer, and other kitchen equipment is all there. “I’d be willing to lease it out and let them do whatever they wanted,” Howarth remarked. If anyone one is interested in renting apartments, leasing the restaurant, or setting up office or retail space, call Howarth at 274-2944 (days) or 274-5763 (evenings). You also can contact via e-mail at mhowarth@jam21.net
The walls of the interior are being completely rebuilt as well.
Home Redo - Page 2 Award Winning Yard - Page 3
The outside of the former Voyageur Inn is being given a makeover with metal siding.
Here’s a floor plan off what each apartmentt will look likee re. in the future.
The kitchen in the former Kettles is equipped with much of what’s needed to re-open the restaurant.
I NSI D E... INSIDE ...
Real Estate - Pages 3, 4, 6 Basement Play Area - Page 4
FORT FRANCES TIMES B1
Building Forever Home - Page 5 CO Detectors - Page 7
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