Cambridge creatives get their own space

In the age of tech startups and digital media, another non-traditional industry is looking to open its doors to Waterloo Region — the influencer. 

In the past few years Open Space has been making a push to create more spaces for creatives like social media influencers, photographers and podcasters in Waterloo region.

With the opening of their new location at 20 Park Hill Rd. E, Cambridge will have the opportunity to have a professional space to create content.

“There just wasn't an area to showcase your work properly without giving the credit to Toronto, we just found everybody needed it,” said Brandon Taylor co-founder of Open Space.

Taylor is an award winning wedding photographer from Kitchener and wanted to see more spaces like these closer to home, rather than making the trip all the way to Toronto or a bigger city.

The new space in Cambridge sits on two separate floors of the old Ray Electric Ltd. building. Originally built in 1899 as a shoe factory, the old industrial style and windows provide the perfect vibe and vast natural light, ideal for a photographer or creative. 

“The whole entire wall was just a mirror, because It was an old dance studio, so it was a lot of work, but it kind of gives it that like, imperfectly perfect look,” said Taylor. 

For years the heritage building has been home to martial art dojos, dance studios and other commercial stores.

Since the acquisition of the building in 2021 by Hamilton based investment firm Forge & Foster, they have made it a point to turn the 40,000 square foot building into a centre for creative, culinary and commercial businesses. 

Taylor along with his two other co-owners Tiffany Lynn, a wedding photographer, and Hilary Rigo, a floral designer, have turned this once dance studio into a place where creative talents of all kinds can come and have a space to work in. 

“This is a completely free use space,” said Taylor. “It’s completely up to you how you want to use your time here.”

The judgment free and private space is something Taylor said he was set on having. 

“There is a lot of trial and error sometimes when you are trying to shoot for Instagram or even do a podcast. There’s no one watching over your shoulder here to put any pressure on you,” said Taylor. 

Silvana Eusse is the communications manager for Open Space and she said they are getting in clients who shoot content for big brands or influencers who just want to have photo shoots. 

Each of the spaces at Park Hill have different vibes; Melrose, has an impeccably clean, all white everything look. Everything in this studio is lit by massive, industrial loft-style windows. 

After a trip in the century-old service elevator, the second studio, Casa awaits at the end of the hall.

This studio has a minimalist desert chic look, with a custom bed, an abundance of natural light and desert-style plants to complete the theme. 

In this studio they’ve had Serena Pitt and her fiancee Joe Amabile from the show the Bachelor come in for a photo shoot along with other influencers and photographers. 

This studio works not only as a space for creatives but the location is key; it sits right beside the Cambridge Mill, a popular wedding venue. 

“The Cambridge Mill is right across the street, this space is a wedding photographer's dream,” said Taylor. “The bridal party can get ready here and get photos taken and go right across the street and get married.”

Open Space is not limiting anything that can go on in their studios, from boudoir shoots in the Casa studio to events and art galleries in the Melrose studio, Taylor and his team want their spaces to be used with no ceiling. 

“It's definitely nice to have a friendly vibe here. We want to make sure we're helping creators and answering as many questions as we can, you know, just talk like we're like friends going through it together,” said Taylor.