Treble Hall’s windows glow with life in revival of city landmark
http://www.thespec.com/living/style/...-city-landmark
Sip coffee, have a croissant and look at beautiful things with a French twist.
Moulin Rouge Cafe and Boutique is a new retail concept for Treble Hall, a grand building that occupies a sizable chunk of John Street North from King Street almost to King William.
Jeff Feswick, president of Historia Building Restoration, bought the 1879 Renaissance Revival building in 2010. It was designed by Hamilton architect James Balfour, who also designed the magnificent Hamilton City Hall built in 1887 and demolished in 1962.
Feswick, 53, has been restoring Treble Hall for two years. “We wanted to do it right.”
The idea for the cafe/store that opens March 12 came from Micky Stanoi, his girlfriend of seven years. “When I described it to him, he said ‘do it,’” says Stanoi, who left a job as a property manager in Toronto to steer the project.
Moulin Rouge occupies 10 and 12 John St. N. with two enormous windows framed by original Corinthian pilasters. Number 12 is the cafe with an exposed brick wall, French-style gilt mirrors and tables for 35.
Another wall is covered in red floral wallpaper. When Stanoi described what she wanted to a decorator, the decorator replied: “You mean wallpaper that looks like it’s from a brothel?”
The cafe will serve coffee and pastries when it opens with plans to add light meals and alcohol when its licence is granted.
A generous archway leads into the store, where labels include Linda Lundstrom, Romeo & Juliet Couture, Chantal Paris and Nueve. Customers can sip coffee and watch fashion shows on a big screen or use the free Wi-Fi to catch up on email.
Dresses, scarves and purses hang on the wall, jewellery is displayed on an antique cabinet found in Treble Hall and shoes line ornate moulding. A chandelier sparkles against the original restored tin ceilings.
Treble Hall originally contained street-level stores, offices and an assembly hall. Its wood floors have been restored, brick exposed and wiring and plumbing installed.
Historia’s other projects include the Tregunno Seed building on Catharine Street North, but Treble Hall is Feswick’s baby.
He says the concept is European and encourages people to linger. “It looks great at night with the lights on.”
Across from Moulin Rouge is the new Nathaniel Hughson Gallery and Capri Restaurant, and Feswick says a drum school will be opening soon. He liked the idea of adding French food to the mix of Italian, Thai and Greek in the neighbourhood.
There are also empty buildings, absent landlords and a methadone clinic, but Feswick says “it’s all part of the culture of the city.”
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