Case Study
27-35 Princess Street
Kingston, ON
Rockwell Commercial has been engaged on representing the Smith Robinson Building for more than a decade, guiding this iconic downtown Kingston landmark through multiple ownership transitions, redevelopment, and stabilization. Spanning ± 69,391 SF over four floors, the heritage-designated property at 27–35 Princess Street has remained a defining feature of Kingston’s core, evolving from its origins as a 19th-century commercial mart to the beloved S&R Department Store, and ultimately into a fully leased, mixed-use office and retail hub.
Our role began with the Robinson family, who sought to sell the property following the closure of the S&R Department Store, which had operated at this location from 1959 until 2009. The challenge was to find a buyer with both the financial strength and the vision to reposition a nearly 200-year-old building into a viable modern use. That challenge evolved as the building changed hands, first requiring support for ABNA Investments Ltd. as they navigated the complexities of heritage restoration and tenanting, and later requiring us to position the asset for sale once more in 2025. By that time, the task was not only to highlight the building’s stability but also to overcome skepticism in a market where many investors and lenders questioned the long-term value of office properties in the wake of the pandemic.
We first represented the Robinson family in the sale of the property to the Doornekamp family’s ABNA Investments Ltd., a buyer with a strong reputation for heritage redevelopment and the capability to reimagine the property. From there, we became an ongoing partner to ABNA, supporting the repositioning process, working with architects and planners to design flexible floor plates, and navigating municipal approvals to bring the building up to modern standards. When the redevelopment was complete, Rockwell Commercial assumed the role of exclusive leasing agent, securing a mix of national and local tenants that brought the building new life and ensured long-term financial stability of this iconic asset.
As market conditions evolved, so too did our role. When it came time for ABNA to sell, we worked to reintroduce the building to the market, not as a redevelopment opportunity, but as a stabilized, fully leased heritage asset. The perception of the office sector had shifted dramatically since the pandemic, and our task was to demonstrate to investors and lenders that the Smith Robinson Building, with its heritage character, prime location, and strength of the tenant roster, represented a resilient and valuable investment in downtown Kingston.
At every stage of the building’s life cycle, our strategy was to pair Kingston’s unique heritage identity with modern investment fundamentals. In the first sale, we matched the Robinson family with a buyer committed to revitalization. During the restoration and repositioning, we worked alongside ABNA and their project team to help shape redevelopment plans and support the approvals process, advising on design strategies that balanced heritage preservation with modern functionality. From there, we transitioned into the role of exclusive leasing agent, securing a mix of national and professional tenants that anchored the building’s long-term stability.
In preparation for a future sale, we later supported ABNA with valuations, tenant renewals, and tenant premise expansions to further strengthen the asset’s performance. By 2025, when the time came to reintroduce the property to the market, we shifted the narrative to reflect the realities of the post-pandemic investment climate showcasing lease stability, the building’s long-standing role as a community anchor, and the enduring strength of Kingston’s downtown as a place where heritage and commerce thrive together.
The building’s journey reflects the strength of local stewardship and the value of consistent client advisory. Rockwell Commercial successfully transitioned the property from the Robinson family to ABNA, supported its redevelopment and leasing, and then completed its sale to the building’s newest ownership, CaraCo Group of Companies, another respected family-run Kingston organization. Each stage required a different approach, vision, strategy, and execution, but together they tell the story of a landmark preserved, modernized, and positioned for long-term success. The Smith Robinson Building continues to stand not just as an architectural icon, but as proof that heritage office assets, when thoughtfully restored and managed, remain compelling investments in Kingston’s future.