Stratford’s Bradshaw Lofts
“Modern Sophistication Seeped in Roots of Tradition”
Heritage - Revitalized
245 Downie Street was erected in 1903 & was the home of the Mooney Biscuit & Candy Co. It was a massive operation, producing upwards of six tons of biscuits & chocolates daily! The business employed more than 200 individuals & had its own rail line connected to the factory. The building was constructed in the Edwardian style. The three-storey yellow brick building features a limestone foundation (visible in the lower level of the interior) & the Downie Street facade features round-headed windows flank a round-headed door.
The building also features six-over-six window panes. For years these windows were boarded up but the building's restoration gracefully showcases their significance. At the tail end of a period of massive mergers & acquisitions that spurred “big business” as we know it today, the General Electric Co. purchased the building in 1919. Two Forty-Five Downie street received designation on June 10th, 1991 under By-law 94-91. It has recently been restored by Kitchener-based Zehr Group & Urbanistyc. In 2020, the property received the 2019 James Anderson Award for Heritage Preservation.
Bradshaw & Kressley
While the Covid-19 pandemic was in it’s infancy, we were in the process of pivoting our operations from the GTA to smaller, historical, tourism-focused communities. We felt that, beyond the emerging trend of population migration to smaller Ontario communities, the market in towns like Stratford offered more opportunities in the boutique hospitality and tourism sectors.
Having returned to Stratford to manage the redevelopment of a more traditional Bed & Breakfast, Brendan (Managing Director) turned his attention to scouting potential property partners & boutique hotel service providers in the community.
The Bradshaw (a much loved historical property south of the downtown business core) had been undergoing an ambitious revitalization since 2014. The project being complete, a chance meeting with Bradshaw principals revealed the potential for fruitful collaboration.
The Bradshaw property was positioned as an upper-tier Hard-loft condominium building with a small selection of exclusive hotel offerings as part of the property’s financial infrastructure.
Given The Bradshaw’s position in the market, the goals of it’s principal management, and our expertise in overseeing premium hospitality endeavors, The Bradshaw Hotel was born.
Premium Hospitality
Heritage Suites
A stay at The Bradshaw represents an opportunity to unwind in the heart of Stratford’s boldest & most prominent restoration masterpiece. Located steps Stratford’s historical downtown, brick facades unfold before you, buttressed by 200-year-old industrial timbre framing, accented with tasteful, modern finishings & historical décor elements.
Premium Amenities
The goal of our work at The Bradshaw is to elevate the personalized travel experience available on Airbnb to the premium echelon. Beyond the top-tier concierge services for which we are known, all suites are fully equipped with modern kitchen fittings, spacious washroom facilities, complimentary on-site parking, & ensuite laundry fixtures.
White-Gloves Service
Keys to our success are our forensic attention to detail & fastidious nature. We attend diligently to all aspects of the guest experience. Each property is overseen by a dedicated host offering charm & a personal touch. The Bradshaw is managed by Kressley Group principal, hospitality expert, sommelier, & Stratford native, Brendan McKenna
COVID-19, Local Business, & Enduring Relationships
The first wave of COVID-19 passed while the finer points of our work together were being finalized. Just like any other local enterprise, the resulting uncertainty presented unique challenges for business planning & financial forecasting, but as spring returned to Stratford a trend of “staycation tourism” began to take hold. Combined with the resilience of citizens, the business community, & the tireless work of the local tourism council, optimism was once again in bloom.
Focusing on the local tourism trend, our services to guests had a unique focus on all things Stratford. Relationships with local restaurants, tourism initiatives, & small merchants were front & centre in all of our communications with our guests. Never have sound local knowledge & connections been more important. From the rich history of the property, to the top spots to wine & dine, boutique merchants to natural beauty, the local element was in focus.
Beyond the importance of 5-star service, a critical new element of hosting immerged: Meeting with guests, providing tours & offering personal advice on what to do & what to see helped to create deeper connections with visitors. As time went on, these relationships yielded many repeat visits to Stratford & helped cement the town’s well-deserved reputation as a capital destination for art, food, & community at a time when it was needed most.
Features
Service Upgrades
The 2020 launch was a smashing success. That said, we’re working on new ways to elevate the guest experience while considering the profound effects of COVID-19 has had on the industry (and the world). We are expanding contactless check-in capacity in order to reduce in person contact during the final stages of the pandemic. Increased cleaning supplies & equipment will be available within the suites during a stay. We are also exploring food & wine service to the suites as an extra convenience.
Tastings & Events
We are developing various wine & spirits tastings as part of the guest experience at The Bradshaw. Lead by local experts, topics will range from local wines & spirits to international selections. Cooking classes as well as food & wine pairing experiences will also be on offer. Local chefs , restaurateurs, & butchers will take visitors through their favorite dishes & share their love of locally sourced ingredients, paired with a broad range of beverages!
Relationships
Local collaboration & relationships are at the core of our values. This year, we will be deepening those connections & working more with our local merchants & hospitality providers to showcase their work while driving sales & brand awareness to to their businesses. Never before has it been more critical to unite the roots of Stratford’s diverse hospitality, arts, & business sectors. Together, we will not only survive, but thrive in the post COVID-19 world. Stay turned for more details!