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Maitland Chart House and Masterplan
Maitland, Ontario
Maitland Riverfront Masterplan and historic Chart House Restoration showcases McLennan Design’s deep expertise and passion for revitalizing community and renovating historic buildings. As the oldest project in our portfolio, the 1828 Chart House presents a unique opportunity to blend heritage preservation with cutting-edge sustainability in a block scale project. McLennan Design led both the masterplan and visionary design for this 6.25-acre waterfront campus on the St. Lawrence River, transforming a site rich with layered history into a vibrant community hub. Our approach honors the past while creating innovative spaces for marine research, technology incubation, and cultural gathering. This project highlights our commitment to breathing new life into existing buildings, proving that adaptive reuse can set the stage for resilient, inspiring futures. Maitland stands as a testament to the ambition and skill McLennan Design brings to every project—leading thoughtfully, sustainably, and creatively.
Maitland Tower
Visionary Design
Maitland, Ontario
2,200
2025
Chart House Restoration & Adaptive Reuse
McLennan Design’s first intervention on the Maitland site focused on restoring the historic Chart House building—an iconic structure dating back to 1828 with deep industrial and community roots. Working closely with skilled local craftsmen, we carefully salvaged and repurposed timber beams to create the main truss and structural framework, preserving the building’s original character while ensuring lasting strength.
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Extensive stonework repair was done to build a modern interpretation of the existing structure. We inserted new high-performance windows and a modern insulation package to dramatically improve energy efficiency without compromising heritage aesthetics. Structural reinforcement of the historic stacked stone walls was essential to meet today’s safety standards while honoring the craftsmanship of the past. The revitalized Chart House now functions as a versatile multi-use community hall and creative studio, a vibrant hub where history meets innovation and community connection flourishes.
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Revitalizing Heritage and Nature: Leading with Legacy to Re-imagine Maitland as a Vibrant Mixed-Use Community and Innovation Hub Masterplan
McLennan Design spearheaded a visionary masterplan to transform the historic Maitland waterfront into a thriving, mixed-use village—a bold model of heritage-led regeneration and ecological restoration. Anchored by the site’s iconic stone tower, this dynamic campus will host a vibrant community hub, combining innovative small businesses, event venues, and welcoming public spaces along a revitalized waterfront beach.
Through close collaboration with leading ecologists and biologists, our team crafted a design that celebrates and restores the site’s rich natural and cultural legacy—turning neglected land into a beacon of resilience and innovation. The masterplan redefines what it means to build community in harmony with nature, creating a regional destination where history, creativity, and sustainability converge.
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