The place where Mayor Fred Eisenberger says the "next Hamilton" will emerge has started to come to life with the arrival of its first major private occupant.

About 65 staff members at Trivaris Ltd. have started work in the top floor of the McMaster Innovation Park headquarters building on Longwood Road South.

The university plans to make the park home to a blend of academic, government and private tenants who will collaborate to turn research and ideas into new businesses that would generate jobs and transform the economy.

"This is an indication that the next Hamilton is actually happening," Eisenberger said as he toured the multi-use Trivaris facility yesterday.

The company -- which develops entrepreneurial ideas, mostly from the field of technology -- is planning to capitalize on its new location in the park, halfway between McMaster University and Mohawk College's main campuses.

"We can't imagine being anywhere else," said president Mark Chamberlain. "There is so much pent-up genius in the university and in the colleges, and all we do is help unleash that."

The park itself, set on the grounds of the former Camco appliance complex, is expected to become home to 14 buildings and a workplace for 3,000 people over the next 15 years.

Chamberlain said he doubts it will take that long. With a second building now under construction -- a major federal materials laboratory -- he expects the park could fill quickly. The park itself is meant as the gateway to a broader "innovation district" designated by the city and roughly bounded by Dundurn Street, Aberdeen Avenue, Longwood Road and Main Street West.

"Where else would we be?" asked Trivaris director of IT and facilities Ken Lowe.

"This is going to be, we think, the most exciting area of Hamilton for the next five, 10, 20 years."

Trivaris has moved from an industrial park in Burlington to renovated, stylish 23,000-square-foot space with tall windows that offer sweeping views of Hamilton.

When employees learned last week that their new furniture wouldn't be delivered in time, they voted to move anyway and work at temporary tables.

Trivaris's new home includes offices, collaboration spaces, production and research areas. In addition to its own operation, it is also home to five developing companies.

Co-founder and vice president Ty Shattuck explained that under the Trivaris model, the fledgling companies will stay until they graduate to their own spaces.

Ideally, he said, they will be replaced by other new companies built on ideas created by people working in the park.

"Like any business, you want to be close to your raw materials," Shattuck said. "Our raw materials are the researchers, the scientists, the entrepreneurs and all the people that support them."

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What is Trivaris?

Trivaris Ltd. calls itself a commercialization firm. Its role is to be the business partner to people with new ideas. It provides financial resources, space and technology to develop those ideas into working businesses, making its profits from their success. The company has 150 employees across North America.

bout 65 staff members at Trivaris Ltd. have started work in the top floor of the McMaster Innovation Park headquarters building on Longwood Road South.

The university plans to make the park home to a blend of academic, government and private tenants who will collaborate to turn research and ideas into new businesses that would generate jobs and transform the economy.

"This is an indication that the next Hamilton is actually happening," Eisenberger said as he toured the multi-use Trivaris facility yesterday.

The company -- which develops entrepreneurial ideas, mostly from the field of technology -- is planning to capitalize on its new location in the park, halfway between McMaster University and Mohawk College's main campuses.

"We can't imagine being anywhere else," said president Mark Chamberlain. "There is so much pent-up genius in the university and in the colleges, and all we do is help unleash that."

The park itself, set on the grounds of the former Camco appliance complex, is expected to become home to 14 buildings and a workplace for 3,000 people over the next 15 years.

Chamberlain said he doubts it will take that long. With a second building now under construction -- a major federal materials laboratory -- he expects the park could fill quickly. The park itself is meant as the gateway to a broader "innovation district" designated by the city and roughly bounded by Dundurn Street, Aberdeen Avenue, Longwood Road and Main Street West.

"Where else would we be?" asked Trivaris director of IT and facilities Ken Lowe.

"This is going to be, we think, the most exciting area of Hamilton for the next five, 10, 20 years."

Trivaris has moved from an industrial park in Burlington to renovated, stylish 23,000-square-foot space with tall windows that offer sweeping views of Hamilton.

When employees learned last week that their new furniture wouldn't be delivered in time, they voted to move anyway and work at temporary tables.

Trivaris's new home includes offices, collaboration spaces, production and research areas. In addition to its own operation, it is also home to five developing companies.

Co-founder and vice president Ty Shattuck explained that under the Trivaris model, the fledgling companies will stay until they graduate to their own spaces.

Ideally, he said, they will be replaced by other new companies built on ideas created by people working in the park.

"Like any business, you want to be close to your raw materials," Shattuck said. "Our raw materials are the researchers, the scientists, the entrepreneurs and all the people that support them."