Renovation of 95-109 James Street North

Markus83 · #1 Posted **May 27, 2015, 7:30 AM**

Just came across this. Looked for it on this site and cannot find it. So, I thought I would throw this in here as it's potential and more potential for this neck of the woods that continues to revitalize James North, Hamilton.
Here's some articles to inform you.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...ticle22572597/

https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/2015/...arts-district/

Markus83 · #2 Posted **May 27, 2015, 7:35 AM**

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/55...losing-sunday/

king10 · #3 Posted **May 27, 2015, 11:33 AM**

Poor mex i can.

Markus83 · #4 Posted **May 27, 2015, 12:31 PM**

Indeed... I hope they make a comeback.

flar · #5 Posted **May 27, 2015, 4:01 PM**

Sad. I'd put money on it that that building would hold itself up for many more years.

davidcappi · #6 Posted **Jun 10, 2015, 7:47 PM**

matt602 · #7 Posted **Jun 10, 2015, 8:58 PM**

Hard to see but what I do see looks goooood

Katrillion · #8 Posted **Jun 10, 2015, 10:16 PM**

Still, it's so unfortunate the the corner building (the most prominent and the building that requires the most attention) didn't get restored...

Dr Awesomesauce · #9 Posted **Jun 10, 2015, 11:42 PM**

Yeah, it's a little hard to see but it's safe to assume it's fantastic. Cheers.

BTW how many people would have looked at that block and said 'knock it down!'? I confess that that thought may have crossed my mind a time or two over its many years of decrepitude. Praise Allah there are people with vision.

Well done to all those involved! So many fantastic and impactful developments happening right now and so many more coming down the pike, no doubt.

NortheastWind · #10 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 5:29 PM**

When was the building that housed Mex-I-Can built? It looks like an incompatible infill. It would be nice see it replaced with a modern building that is compatible with the street wall.

NortheastWind · #11 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katrillion

Still, it's so unfortunate the the corner building (the most prominent and the building that requires the most attention) didn't get restored...

That building is 91-93 James St N. A different owner I assume. Who knows what they have in store, maybe they'll be inspired by the work being done next door.

flar · #12 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 5:47 PM**

I'm very happy that it is being renovated instead of demolished. But from what I can see, most of the stuff that made that building unique have been removed.

Not trying to be overly negative, it's just that windows without mullions or something to divide them look absolutely horrible on historic buildings. It's a pet peeve of mine.

matt602 · #13 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 6:23 PM**

I walked by this afternoon after they'd taken half of the scaffolding down and while I'm sure it's a nice restoration all throughout, it does look a bit too sterile and sticks out like a sore thumb against its un-restored neighbors. The red brick that they went with almost gives it an ugly, sururban replication look that doesn't really jive well with the dormers and window details that they chose to keep.

Maybe as the brick ages over the next few years and the whole thing weathers a bit it'll look better, we'll see.

davidcappi · #14 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 7:45 PM**

I wouldn't worry guys, I spoke to a dude outside when I took that picture who worked on the building and he said not all of the decorations are up yet. He also said they're going to demo mex-i-can first (it's the same owner) and then assess the lot to see what can be built; he said they're in very early stages right now.

These are the windows being made for the main floor. The same guy was hired to re-create the woodwork for the window trim etc.

davidcappi · #15 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 8:06 PM**

NortheastWind · #16 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 8:25 PM**

It looks great !! I'm glad they are removing the Mexi-Can building.

Bubba9000 · #17 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 8:27 PM**

The owners wanted to purchase the nasty southern building too, but it was not for sale. They were able to purchase everything on the block except the end buildings, so they also have the property north of the former Mex-I-Can.

I was told nothing was salvageable from the buildings they reno'd. Only the dividing walls between buildings was saved. Apparently the heat wasn't turned on upstairs for 70 years or so. You may know the upper facade of one was completely removed long ago.

I believe they also own the parking lot in behind, off Vine, so something will be built there sooner or later.

realcity · #18 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 10:43 PM**

it does look good. Such a critical corner to downtown's image. French balconies on the dormers, almost looks like a mansard roof. We had a beautiful second empire building across the street with the Tivoli. Let's hope we get some post modern Amsterdamish redesign... and make this corner look like a decent gateway to James North.

Dr Awesomesauce · #19 Posted **Jun 11, 2015, 11:23 PM**

^Wow! She's a beauty.

Yes, mullions would have been nice but I'm guessing that would have raised the window expenditure exponentially. Street level will also be fantastic, I'm sure.

thomax · #20 Posted **Jun 13, 2015, 3:07 PM**

Building Restoration - June 13, 2015, by Cable 14, on Twitter