The windows aren't all in yet, and already the main building at McMaster Innovation Park has its first major private tenant.

Trivaris -- a company that puts ideas and money together to create new companies and social ventures-- is moving to Hamilton from Burlington and taking over the entire top floor of the industrial space now under renovation on Longwood Road South.

Company president Mark Chamberlain signed the lease late yesterday, and the company plans to move 50 personnel into 23,000 square feet of space as soon as it is ready for occupancy, likely by March.

Over the last three years, Trivaris has been behind nine startups and three social ventures.

The innovation park is to take shape over 10 to 15 years on a 37-acre brownfield site once occupied by Camco's appliance factory. McMaster bought the property in 2005 and its plans include 14 low-rise buildings housing as many as 3,000 employees in an airy, campus style setting.

The park's mission is to build university, government and private partnerships that turn research into commercial products and services.

Chamberlain said that mission fits perfectly with his company's, as both work to help Hamilton shift to a knowledge economy.

"Ideas are the new raw material, and we couldn't imagine being in a better place than the McMaster Innovation Park," he said. "This park is critical for our region, and it will become a lightning rod."

Wade Hemsworth
The Hamilton Spectator
whemsworth@thespec.com

905-526-3254