MacLaren Art Centre

Located in Barrie’s downtown, the original building was the City of Barrie Library, constructed in the early 1800’s and known as the Carnegie Hall. The project consisted of the removal of the 1930 addition to the Carnegie Hall, restoration of the Carnegie Hall along with a modern addition to the structure. Great attention to detail was paid throughout the project which involved many different finishes and building techniques.

The renovations wrapped up before the end of the summer, allowing for a great public reveal to a crowd of 7,000 people. The resulting new building is a beautiful, open, blend of old and new. The new building has won much critical acclaim and several architectural awards including the Ontario Association of Architects Award for the Best Building under $10 million.