A former warehouse north of downtown Kitchener is about to undergo a $55-million transformation.

The proponents of Catalyst137 – the name given to the redevelopment of the property at 137 Glasgow Street – say that once their facility is complete, it will be the world’s largest Internet of Things innovation centre.

The idea for Catalyst137 was conceived by developer Frank Voisin and Miovision CEO Kurtis McBridge.

Miovision, which provides traffic data collection and analysis services, is expected to set up shop in the 475,000-square-foot facility once it is complete.

According to a press release touting the redevelopment, the space will give growing tech companies a home for manufacturing and distribution operations that doesn’t send them to the fringes of Kitchener or Waterloo.

“Until now, there hasn’t been a single unifying place for hardware-focused companies to work together. Catalyst137 fills that need,” Voisin said in the release.

In addition to loading docks, companies operating out of the building will be able to share a manufacturing space that includes 3D printers, laser cutters and metalworking equipment.