The Pasadena apartment building at 27 Bold Street turned 100 years old in 2014, and then nearly burned to the ground.

A fire that started in the basement ripped through the heritage building that was a fixture of Hamilton's Durand neighbourhood.

Paven Bratch, who owns Radius Dining nearby on James Street South, was distraught about the loss. So he decided to buy the building and fix it.

By early 2017, the Pasadena will return as boutique condominiums.

Averaging between 600 and 800 square feet, the units will include restored features the original building was known for. A typical unit will have lots of windows and wooden floors, and some will have balconies and fireplaces. The new roof will feature a terrace reminiscent of the one at Radius, and will be accessible by elevator.

"I love old things," Bratch said, gazing across the Pasadena's centrepiece winding red oak staircase.

That's why he's working to restore the building's heritage characteristics like the stairs, the floors, and the brickwork.

Bratch is conducting the restoration in partnership with architect Rick Lintack. Councillor Jason Farr says Bratch was the right person to end up as Pasadena's owner beccause of the attention being paid to recapturing the historic features.

After the fire in February 2014, 28 people were left homeless. The Pasadena originally had 17 units, and will now offer 32.