The Roundhouse rebuild is almost ready. And it looks remarkable.

Eighteen months in the making, local web firm Ellipsis Digital will this week unveil the overhauled London Roundhouse, an 1887-built train depot they’ve transformed into the quintessential tech workspace.

Ellipsis, known until recently as rTraction, recently moved its 30-person workforce into the historic structure at Horton and Waterloo streets.

David Billson,the company’s president, expects 300 guests to attend Wednesday’s grand opening.

“The amount of interest in this building is phenomenal,” said Billson, standing inside the structure Sunday that was built originally as a repair station for Michigan Central Railroad trains passing through London during the industrial revolution.

Much of the local interest in the site, he says, is connected to the neighbourhood, SoHo, just south of downtown, and its hoped-for gentrification.

“A lot of locals are really seeing this as a marquee in the revitalization of the area.”

Built to service steam locomotives, the building for 33 years housed the Great West Steakhouse before its recent renovation and restoration.

Ellipsis has signed what Billson calls “a long-term lease” with Creative Property Developments, the developer that owns the building. He says with a chuckle that he hopes his firm is still occupying the space in 25 or 30 years.

Whatever happens from here, the renovation has left the heritage bones of the building untouched.

Original interior brick walls on all sides. The wooden beams that made up the original ceiling are exposed.

The train doors along its rear wall, which still open, will function as gigantic windows year-round. In the middle of the structure — which had been vacant since 2007 — are the desks and offices for the Ellipsis staff.

The whole investment has been an ambitious one for Billson and his business to make. Asked about the rationale, Billson says it’s required in the high-tech industry.

“People thrive in spaces that make them happy. The space and the height of the ceilings and the natural light pouring in — it feels good coming to work.”

“When you’re in a market that’s incredibly competitive for talent, you need every edge you can get.”

In October 2013, Ellipsis (then rTraction) initially signed on with another company, ATMOS, to put down roots in the Roundhouse.

But earlier this year, ATMOS announced that its growth has outpaced projects and the 128-year-old building was no longer big enough for its needs. ATMOS, which does digital marketing, has grown from eight employees to 13.

The Roundhouse design will hold about 45 employees. Ellipsis itself has 30.

At the time, Corey Dubeau, co-founder of ATMOS, told The Free Press his firm still hoped to find a home in SoHo, likely not far from the Roundhouse: “We’ve just scratched the surface and I think once the Roundhouse launches . . . you’ll see even more development. We’d like to stay a part of that.”

patrick.maloney@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/patatLFPress

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IF YOU GO

What: Roundhouse grand opening

When:Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Details: Public welcome; RSVP at http://lrh.eventbrite.com

More information:londonroundhouse.com