The clients for the project wanted to renovate an existing structure to house there new grain-to-bottle distillery and retail space. They wanted an inviting and unique design which would become a landmark for the evolving neighbourhood in the North end of Halifax. A three story round tower faces Agricola Street and houses the retail-bar and a two story short term rental apartment. Tucked behind the tower is the distillery production space which contains part of the original concrete block garage that was on site.

The materials and details were carefully thought through to compliment the craftsmanship of the products being made. With such an intensive mix of uses on a tight urban lot, the transition between the round tower and the production space frames a 22’ high Vendome Cooper still and vodka column which was custom made in Kentucky. Canadian Douglas fir wood was used wherever possible for the new structure and extensively throughout the interior finishes. The millwork throughout the apartment and retail-bar is made of quarter-sawn douglas fir veneer baltic birch plywood. In the retail-bar, douglas fir shelves line the curved wall alongside a spiral staircase with douglas fir treads.

AIRBNB 

“Stay in the top of The Tower. Located above Compass Distillers, Halifax’s first and only grain-to-bottle distillery, this two bedroom apartment is a hidden gem. Harbour views and a BBQ on the roof top deck. Located in Halifax’s North End, you are steps from some of Halifax’s best restaurants, bars, breweries, and a cidery.”

DRAWING BOARD