Brad McKinnon envisions a sleek and more modern Finnish Labour Temple on Bay Street.
The owner said the redevelopment of the historic building continues with excavation efforts planned for the end of May with a foundation coming by June.
“We are going to reconstruct the front third of the Finnish Labour Temple, “ explained McKinnon. “That’s the face that everybody knows. Most people have not been into the back of the building. Most people identify with the Hoito restaurant and the Bay Street suite so that’s what we are focused on at this point in time.”
McKinnon noted the Hoito will be featured on the main floor of the new building instead of being in the basement.
The facility will be 80,000 square feet as compared to the previous structure, which was approximately 27,000 square feet with additions.
“We are still in a pandemic, there is a material and labour shortage,” McKinnon pointed out, when asked about a potential time line. “I would like this done in a year, but is that likely to happen? Probably not. So I believe two years is a good goal to complete the project.”
A fire gutted the third floor and caused water damage to the remainder of the building at the end of December 2021.
Fundraising efforts continue by the group Raise the Finlandia Cupola, which includes purchasing an original brick salvaged from the building during demolition.