Halifax considers Khyber Building becoming renovated arts centre

A new proposal to turn the historic Khyber Building on Barrington Street into an arts centre is now being assessed by Halifax staff.

The plan involves adding a fourth floor, installing an elevator and creating a connection to the Neptune Theatre space at the back of the building.

"The plan is where the inside stairwell is right now, that's where the elevator would go," said Councillor Waye Mason, District 7 Halifax Downtown-South End.

"Then there would be a glass atrium into Neptune next door and the Khyber would share [Neptune's] fire stairwell," he said.

The 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society estimates the cost of renovations would total $3.1 million dollars. It says that bill could be covered through fundraising, corporate sponsorship and the public sector. Ongoing costs would be covered by the rental of office space.

"Most of the space will be rented by non-profit cultural and community organizations," said Robin Metcalfe, the President of the Preservation Society.

"We're also anticipating one or two commercial tenants."   

The 127-year-old Victorian style building has a recognizable turret. A public campaign to save it began in the fall of 2014. Work on this latest proposal got underway in April.  

HRM staff from finance, parks and recreation and operations support will review the plan and bring back a report to Regional Council in January.