Steenhof Invests in Downtown

Orillia Packet and Times

The Sunshine City is living up to its name for Steenhof Building Services. And the future for the blossoming Orillia company that is focusing more and more on solar projects is as bright as ever.

Founded in 2001 as a traditional engineering firm, owner Jack Steenhof has steered the company through a rapid growth cycle in recent years, expanding from 17 employees to more than 35 in the past two years.

Fueled by its explosive growth and buoyed by future plans, the company recently decided to relocate its operation into a larger space in downtown Orillia. After several years on Hunter Valley Road, the move into the downtown was necessitated by the need for more space – and a desire to be in the heart of the city.

“I think for me, coming downtown is like returning to our roots,” said Steenhof, whose firm was originally located in a small second-floor office above the food bank on West Street. “I really like the lively atmosphere downtown. It’s so nice to be able to walk out the door and be on the main street and be able to walk to a bunch of different places to eat, to shop, to bank…it’s a great place to do business.”

That’s why Steenhof partnered with architect Bob Chorny to purchase – and breathe new life – into the tired building. In fact, Steenhof put his company’s engineers to the test when he purchased the former home of Audio Plus – a one-time horse livery that was built in 1888 by the same builder that constructed ODCVI – and converted it into two sun-splashed floors of modern office space.

Painstaking efforts were taken to expose the original wooden roof beams on the second floor, creating a blend of old and new inside the revitalized building. Throughout the process, the City of Orillia’s building department worked hand-in-hand with Chorny and Steenhof and were “as committed as we were to the project,” said Steenhof.

“We strengthened some floors and walls, we improved the thermal performance of the building and did everything we could to convert it into a very energy-efficient building – right down to the solar-powered blinds on the new skylights we put in,” Steenhof said. “There are now five zones of air-conditioning. We took every little opportunity we could to improve the building; it’s a very comfortable environment now. Everybody who walks in the door is very impressed.”

The renaissance of the long-vacant building is great news for the downtown, says Sarah Valiquette, chair of the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB).

“When you get a high-profile, reputable company like Steenhof Building Services investing in the downtown, it creates a real buzz,” said Valiquette. “We are so thankful when we see people invest in the downtown. It’s inspiring and it shows how strongly people feel about our wonderful downtown.”

The redevelopment of a heritage building and the relocation of a thriving business in the downtown core is great news as well to Dan Landry, Manager of Economic Development with the City.

“We’ve just gone through some extensive consultation and research to develop a downtown/waterfront revitalization plan,” Landry explained. “One of the key elements for success is more people living and working in the downtown. This is a perfect step in the right direction.”

Landry added the location of the Steenhof operation in the core adds more people and traffic to the downtown and will have a number of spinoff effects.

“You automatically have more people dining, shopping and generally experiencing shopping the downtown,” said Landry. The nature of that business will draw more people to the core as well.”

Steenhof believes so strongly in the downtown, he and Chorny recently purchased Askett Printing, a few doors down the street. The business and building had been for sale when one of the walls collapsed in March. It was about that time that Steenhof struck up a friendship with owner Burt Wray.

“We will continue to operate Askett Printing and (Wray) is going to work with us as a consultant and to help us with the transition,” said Steenhof. “It’s a good, profitable business and it includes two downtown lots and more than 30 parking spots. It’s a great investment.”

Parking was one concern Steenhof had when he made the move to the downtown. However, he was able to reconfigure the rear parking lot to accommodate 27 vehicles. And he’ll need every one of them. Originally, the plan was to rent out the main street-facing 1,200 square feet on the main level. However, that plan has changed.

“That space was going to be retail space, but because of the company’s growth, we found we needed all the space,” said Liz Scott, Steenhof’s executive assistant. “There is about 4,700-square feet on each floor and we need it all.”

Steenhof said the ever-expanding solar component of the business continues to swell sales and drive expansion. “Solar is probably our biggest department,” Steenhof said. “We have five site crews, five dedicated professional engineers and an engineer in training all dedicated to solar projects.”

The solar developments are fueled by the government’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) program. “As the capital costs go down, more and more people want to get into the game,” said Steenhof, who noted his company’s forte is dealing with snow and ice load. “We have the specialized expertise here and we have a track record of successful projects here, in New Jersey, in Saskatchewan, B.C… we have numerous projects lined up. I see this as a growth area of our business for the foreseeable future.”

While the solar business blooms, Steenhof Building Services still does what can be construed as traditional engineering work – everything from engineering services for boathouses and decks to site-plan reviews and structural design and review. In addition, Steenhof has a division devoted to the modular building realm and the engineering services required in that field. Neither was on the radar when he began business in 2001.

“In business, you need to be able to adapt and you need to constantly try to predict the trends that will affect your business,” said Steenhof.

With that in mind, the company started an electrical engineering division two years ago and has plans to start a mechanical engineering component. About a year ago, the company also opened a satellite office in Port Carling and will have a Calgary office by the end of the year.

“There are lots of opportunities out there. What it boils down to is for the company to grow, we have to be strategic. We have a great team here and a bright future,” said Steenhof.

That goes for the downtown, too, Valiquette said.

“I think people see the vision we have for the downtown. We’ve had three significant new businesses come downtown recently: Steenhof, Banks Furniture, which refurbished the former Huronia Trust building, and Say Yes Bridal Gallery, which are fantastic,” Valiquette said.

She hopes there’s more to come.

“In recent months, we had Dan Landry (the city’s manager of economic development) and Mike Martyn (the city’s former manager of cultural development and community programs) come and speak at our meetings about, among other things, retail recruitment,” Valiquette said. “We are developing a process to help recruit new businesses to the downtown. There’s so much heritage here and so much potential… it’s just a matter of letting more people know about it.”

Photo: Jack Steenhof stands in the renovated former Audio Plus building on Mississaga Street. Steenhof Building Services recently moved in to the downtown; the company has experienced explosive growth over the past few years.