More time needed for Church Street project

Washington Properties has been granted more time to gather technical information required for a new Washington Mall project.

The Development Applications Board last week granted the Hamilton company another two years to get the necessary documents in order.

Washington Properties general manager Paul Slaughter refused to say exactly what information was required, but said he still intended to push ahead with the massive project which could change the face of Church Street.

“The application has been in six months already which is normally the time limit,” Mr. Slaughter said.

He said architectural drawings had been completed since the application in January, but construction drawings had not yet been completed.

“It is of course still subject to planning approval,” he said.

In January, Washington Properties applied for permission to build a five-storey office, retail and residential building at 16, 18 and 20 Church Street.

The building is offering 125,000 square feet of rentable space on four floors of offices and two floors of retail.

The new retail floor is expected to connect with the existing Washington Mall and will double the size of the mall as it is now.

Sandys Hardware seeks expansion

Sandys Hardware Store has applied to the Development Applications Board to expand its premises.

Co-owner Owen Cann said the shop on 66 Somerset Road needed more space.

“Business is good,” Mr. Cann said. “Right now our square footage is small for general hardware. We want to expand the shop and storage area.”

Mr. Cann said he and business partner Richard Bascome would not be doing the work themselves, but would have no trouble finding a contractor as they pass through the store all the time.

They have also applied to the DAB for additional car parking and a sidewalk.

“We need the sidewalk right now because it is dangerous,” he said.

BAMZ hospital, new building approved

The Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) was granted final planning approval to construct a new zoo support building and hospital last week.

Curator Ian Walker (pictured) said the zoo's new hospital will include a quarantine room, kitchen and research room.

The Development Applications Board said the BAMZ must get a building permit prior to building commencement.

“In order to protect the visual amenity of the neighbourhood, there shall be no deposition or storage of excavated material on site,” it said.

Three-storey office building to proceed

Milner Holdings Ltd. was granted final planning permission to build a new three-storey office building extension on the same lot as a 125-year-old Hamilton landmark.

“Belair” on 42 Victoria Street was built in 1880 as a private residence but is now being used as an office for law firm Cox Hallett and Wilkinson.

However the law firm's founder, William Cox, has promised that the antique building will not be demolished.

“Cox Hallett and Wilkinson is prospering and expanding and want more office space,” Mr. Cox said. “The extension is going to be along the western boundary wall with the Bermuda Telephone Company building.”

The Development Applications Board resolved to approve the plan but said “in the interest of visual amenity, all glazing should be clear and non-reflecting.”