By Tyler Marr

Oldest Central Ave. building to see artistic future

Aug 28, 2017 | 5:58 PM

Since 1909, 1120 Central Ave. has played host to a number of businesses. Current owners promise with the shuttering of Adam’s Celebration by Design, the building’s historic roots will not be lost.

Monday, council approved a request to develop the building into a quasi-public space from its current retail outlet status. Purchaser Gail Carlson has plans to convert the store into an art gallery with multiple studio workshops.

“My dad was an architect so I can’t help but fix up some of these lovely old buildings,” Carlson said.

Carlson is active in the Prince Albert arts community and her mother was the first curator of the Art Centre before the city took it over. She has plans to develop the main floor into an art gallery, pottery studio and woodworking shop alongside working areas in the basement. Later on, she hopes to finish the upstairs apartment and eventually call it home.

With the building’s historic nature, Carlson also intends to seek a heritage designation for the property in the near future. This runs parallel with the city’s downtown strategic plan to retain original architecture.

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“I hope to bring that back and hopefully get a few grants,” Carlson said, noting a desire to restore the “gorgeous” single pane windows.

“Luckily, no one has touched that front half [of the building]. There is no drop ceiling, it is original and so are the walls. It is perfect for bringing it back because it is just cleaning it up. I don’t have to build a whole new thing.”

“It needs tender, love and care.”

Council thanked Carlson for investing in the downtown core and preserving the nature of the building. There is no firm date for finishing the project.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr