WINDSOR — The former Nova Scotia Textiles plant is about to become the site of a major business development that will revitalize the 125-year-old structure and bring new businesses and condominiums to the area.

Windsor businessman Terry Hines, owner of Hawboldt’s Home Furniture, and Kevin Keefe, owner of the Granite Brewery in downtown Halifax, plan to renovate the 125-year-old building, adding a micro-brewery, other businesses and 18 condominiums.

…He and Mr. Keefe, who have several investors backing the project, have been working on it for the past four months and are in the process of taking over the building from its former owner.
125-year-old former Windsor textile mill getting makeover

By GORDON DELANEY Valley Bureau

WINDSOR — The former Nova Scotia Textiles plant is about to become the site of a major business development that will revitalize the 125-year-old structure and bring new businesses and condominiums to the area.

Windsor businessman Terry Hines, owner of Hawboldt’s Home Furniture, and Kevin Keefe, owner of the Granite Brewery in downtown Halifax, plan to renovate the 125-year-old building, adding a micro-brewery, other businesses and 18 condominiums.

Called The Bridge at Mill Island, the $3.5-million project is expected to start this summer and be completed in 2007, Mr. Hines said in an interview. He and Mr. Keefe, who have several investors backing the project, have been working on it for the past four months and are in the process of taking over the building from its former owner.

The aging brick building, a landmark in the town since it was built in 1881, has been mostly vacant since Nova Scotia Textiles closed and laid off its remaining employees late last year.

Mr. Hines said he was initially interested in the building for his furniture business but decided to go with a much larger project that would use the entire 70,000 square feet of space.

“It’s a beautiful building, I love it,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in that building.”

The former mill will house a 15,000- 20,000-square-foot brewery and 12 to 15 stores. Besides a pub, high-end eatery and several boutiques, the building will be home to an art gallery, newsstand, a bakery and farmers’ market. Other possibilities include a theatre, real estate and law offices, a studio and a specialty liquor store, said Mr. Hines.

The third floor will house 18 condos ranging from 984 to 1,180 square feet with an average price of about $200,000.

Mr. Hines said he is already getting calls from people interested in buying the condos. “I’m very surprised at the interest in the condos.”

“I haven’t done any advertising, and people are already calling and offering to put money down.”

Plans also call for an outdoor rink for community events. It will be built by a local non-profit organization but Mr. Hines’s group is spearheading the effort. “The primary goal is to promote Mill Island as a destination where you can spend half a day in a relaxed and fun atmosphere,” he said.

Mayor Anna Allen said Windsor is enjoying an economic boom that will increase with the twinning of Highway 101.

Other developments in the town and in the Municipality of West Hants include a new Super 8 motel, a large gas bar, several new restaurants and a professional centre. A location for a new Hockey Heritage Centre is also expected to be announced soon.

(gdelaney@herald.ca)