Wow...I was just talking to someone the other day about my wish for Pearle Hospitality to make a big investment in Hamilton.
I totally get why they've gone with more business friendly places so far, but they do incredible quality work.

Awesome to hear them interested in this huge project downtown. We've got some pretty good players to negotiate with here. Nice to see!

I feel they really need to do something to redesign the rooftop area of jackson square too - it's just not used at all and it's a collossal waste of space. I'd love to see some sort of permanent auditorium put up there or something, or have big festivals there or have gardens etc. - maybe have supercrawl extend up there.

Surprised not to see anything here from yesterday's presentations. The Precinct group one surprised me with the redevelopment of the AGH, and that they are a partner. Not a lot of content I could find on Twitter , including what their actual proposal would be for the former Copps Colosseum . The relocation site for the convention centre I found a bit odd (south end of Hamilton City Centre).

As others mentioned, there looks to be many pieces that should settle out and I am sure announcements that will be made that fill in gaps. Hopefully we will see some concrete steps coming soon that will shape where downtown is going.

Link to CBC article...

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5452506?__t...mpression=true

Given the scope of these proposals, we should start a new thread !

Council keeps next steps of downtown Hamilton arena and convention centre talks under wraps
Two business groups — Vrancor and Urban Precinct Group — make multimillion-dollar pitches to city officials

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9...s-under-wraps/

Two competing business groups have made their multimillion-dollar pitches to city council to redevelop Hamilton's aging downtown sports and entertainment venues.

But the council is keeping quiet about where they might stand and what's next in the process to a revamped arena, convention centre and concert hall.

After huddling in camera to discuss a staff report Wednesday afternoon on the downtown sports and entertainment precinct and other matters, councillors emerged a few hours later to say the details would be kept confidential.

"It's very much alive," Coun. John-Paul Danko, who chaired the marathon general issues committee meeting, offered reporters about pitches to redevelop the city-owned assets.

"We had two very good proposals, and I think the residents of Hamilton should be pretty optimistic about the outcome of that," he said, noting "there may have been direction given to staff" behind closed doors.

Danko said two proposals "seemed to be further ahead" than a third that didn't make a delegation to the general issues committee.

Council's deliberations have been kept secret because the details of each proposal are "very proprietary to each one of those proponents," he said.

"Staff and council need to keep that confidential in order to protect the integrity of the process."

Earlier in open session, the Vrancor Group told councillors about its estimated $200-million proposal to redevelop FirstOntario Centre, expand the convention centre and modernize the concert hall.

The firm, owned by Darko Vranich, and its construction and architectural partners say they will also build a four-star hotel and two office towers at a refurbished FirstOntario Centre.

"So what you've got here really is the dream, which is going to be turned into the plan," project manager Mario Frankovich said.

Vrancor's plan for the arena will enable it to feature different seating capacity to accommodate various events, including Hamilton Bulldogs junior hockey games.

"We see the bones of the arena as a diamond in the rough," Frankovich said, adding the entire project can be done within 12 to 14 months.

Members of the Urban Precinct Group, who followed the Vrancor contingent, told councillors their pitch represents a $500-million investment into the core.

"We will forever fight to see Hamilton fight to achieve its vision as the ambitious city," said group lead PJ Mercanti, who's also CEO of Carmen's Group, which currently manages the convention centre and concert hall.

Urban Precinct Group hopes to redevelop the lower bowl of FirstOntario Centre and feature different seating capacity by employing a curtaining system, lighting and laser technology.

The plan also involves a larger convention centre and updated concert hall at a redeveloped City Centre or another location downtown. It also affords the opportunity to expand the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

The idea is to establish a "coherently planned cultural and entertainment district," said Petra Matar, an architect with DPAI Architecture Inc., which is part of Urban Precinct Group.

Matar also described an urban park and pedestrian thoroughfare in the art gallery area, where three mixed-use residential towers would stand in the south part of the site.

Other members of the Urban Precinct Group are LIUNA Pension Fund, Fengate Capital, Meridian Credit Union, Jetport Inc. and Paletta International.

A third group, Pearle Hospitality — which is known for its Pearle Hotel and Spa and Spencer's eatery at Burlington's waterfront — was scheduled to present its plan to council Wednesday but withdrew its delegation.

The impetus for the private-sector pitches have their origin in a motion by Coun. Sam Merulla that asked staff to source private-sector investors to revamp the three city-owned venues for additional property tax revenue and eliminate taxpayer subsidies.

Danko told reporters a request for proposals wasn't issued in this case because the "scope" of the downtown precinct exercise "was much more open-ended." An RFP would have been more suitable for a specific vision, he said.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQCaC88X...jpg&name=large
dpai architecture
https://twitter.com/dpaiarchitects

Hamilton’s duelling arena proposals: Council wants developers to sharpen their pencils
City staff favoured Vrancor but council opts to keep venue process competitive

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...their-pencils/

Up to 120 days.

That's how much time two local business groups competing to redevelop Hamilton's city-owned downtown sports and entertainment venues have been given to sharpen their pencils.

According to sources, councillors have directed city staff to negotiate the best deal possible with the groups and then recommend a preferred proponent to undertake a multimillion revamping of the aging arena, convention centre and concert hall — all without tapping local tax dollars.

After emerging from a closed-door meeting Wednesday night, councillors voted to keep a staff report on the duelling redevelopment proposals confidential.

But The Spectator has learned that staff formally recommended that the city sign a memorandum of understanding with Vrancor Inc., owned by developer Darko Vranich.

However, instead of following staff advice, councillors opted to keep the competitive process alive by continuing to engage with Vrancor and rival proponent Hamilton Urban Precinct Arts and Entertainment Group — but for no more than 120 days.

A third proposal by a consortium led by Ancaster-based Pearle Hospitality was reportedly considered insufficiently advanced to proceed.

Be that as it may, staff's hip checked recommendation to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Vrancor is hardly surprising, at least based on presentations of the competing plans that took place earlier that day.

Vrancor and Urban Precinct Group — consisting of Carmen's Group, LIUNA Pension Fund, Fengate Capital, Paletta International, Jetport Inc., and Meridian Credit Union — have both submitted confidential term sheets to the city containing financial information and conditions which haven't been made divulged.

But while publicly showcasing Vrancor's $200-million plans, project adviser Mario Frankovich was sharply focused. He highlighted the company's readiness, asserted its ability to deliver a revitalized arena in 12 to 14 months and, perhaps most significantly, promised an end to taxpayer subsidies with no impact on the tax levy.

By contrast, PJ Mercanti and Jasper Kujavsky, speaking on behalf of Urban Precinct Group's $500-million plan, spent too much time talking about the load-bearing capacity of the arena roof and theoretical high rises.

In an interview, Kujavsky defended his consortium as a "solid group of investors" who have the necessary "capital ready to deploy." But that message wasn't clear enough in front of the cameras. It also didn't help that Urban Precinct is looking to the federal and provincial governments for funding help.

In broad strokes, Vrancor and Urban Precinct are both proposing to transform the arena into a modern venue that can be curtained off to host 8,000-seat events and expanded to its full 17,000-seat capacity when needed. Vrancor, however, is also talking about attaching two six-storey Grade A office towers to the facility.

Both groups are proposing relatively modest upgrades to the 2,200-seat concert hall. But they have radically different visions for the convention centre. Vrancor proposes to double its capacity at its current location by going out over Summers Lane, as well as building a supporting hotel nearby.

Urban Precinct wants to build a new convention centre at the site of a redeveloped City Centre (formerly Eaton's Centre) and use the existing location for a mixed-use tower, which could possibly include the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

For its part, Urban Precinct says it's prepared to explore various investment models to get the city out of the entertainment and hospitality business and eliminate or reduce its operating and capital costs at the facilities.

Vrancor, on the other hand, is more explicit. It proposes to fund the arena and concert hall renovations and operate them while leaving the ownership in city hands. It does, however, want to buy the convention centre, as well as pay for its revitalization. Obviously, that's where Vranich sees the return on his investment.

Meanwhile, word that Michael Andlauer is talking to Burlington about a new arena and moving the Hamilton Bulldogs there has added greater urgency to the discussions. As the anchor tenant at FirstOntario Centre, the Bulldogs are key to any revitalizations plans.

But Andlauer is tired of waiting for an arena fix and disgusted with the way his proposal for a new arena at Lime Ridge Mall was dismissed by council. He says he recently spoke to Vrancor, Urban Precinct and Pearle Hospitality. But in the end, he sees all their plans as "conceptual and speculative."

Andlauer says he'll continue to look at Burlington while remaining open to staying in Hamilton. But he wants to see "concrete timelines" and needs to consider the best interests of Bulldogs' fans.

If I had to choose between Vrancor and Urban Precinct Group, I would go with Vrancor as well.

Urban Precinct Group approach is like the 1950/60's approach, demo and rebuild. I'd rather keep what we have and expand on it.

Ideally, it would be great if Urban Precinct Group and Vrancor came together as a group.

The biggest difference/issue I see is the Convention Centre, there's no way Vrancor supports moving the Convention Centre to City Centre as he'll lose his direct connection from Sheraton hotel.

I watched the Vrancor presentation yesterday and their ideal for Copps is to use a curtain to block the upper block. However, the curtain will be narrow as goes up to the ceiling. Kind of hard to describe without pictures kinda looks like inside a circus tent.

The curtain will drape from the upper bowl to the centre of Copps ceiling, making the ceiling look narrow and more intimate.

Andaleaur is disgusted the city didnt want to pay over $100m for a parking garage and 6000 seat arena in a private mall parking lot but, just like he has to consider the best interests of bulldog fans, cllrs have to consider the best interests of taxpayer dollars. When there are two proposals which look to use 100% private funding while revitalizing ALL entertainment facilities his proposal looks to be significantly less appealing. With his proposal, the city would still have to look for money revitalize or demo its downtown assets on top of funding over $100m at limeridge.

I would love to know where Vrancor would put his new hotel. Would have it hands down if the convention centre spans over MacNab right into the proposed hotel (old Robinson & Royal Bank lot). That way he has a hotel at each end of the conference centre. A hotel on the empty lot at King and Bay (south east corner), would also be a great strategic play with connects to convention centre via AGH, Standard Life /Jackson Square and even a great pivot point to his other hotels on George (maybe just pick up empty lot on Bay/George.

I'm not a big fan of demoing buildings, however the convention centre as it currently stands is ugly from King St and should never have been designed with a red brick wall in the heart of downtown. I say tear it down and build something more inviting.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d7927fa6_b.jpgHamilton Convention Centre by limeyviking, on Flickr

I haven't seen the details of both proposals as much as I'd like, but the Urban Precinct Group proposal looks much more visionary and progressive than Vrancors. I'm definitely leaning toward theirs and away from Vrancors. Vrancors also seems cheap and quick and designed to please council.

Sounds similar in concept to how BC Place is curtained off. Smaller scale of course, with less of an opening at the top because obviously no retractable roof to worry about at Copps.

https://www.stadionwelt.de/sw_stadie...tadium/310.jpg

BC Place's "curtains" are more horizontal and droopy while the plan for FOC is vertical and it appears to look more panel-like. The picture 2 pages back shows how different the approaches are - and to me I like the FOC proposal better.

Its more similar to Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta IMO.

Doesn't really sound any different than how it is now then. Vertical partitions of whatever material don't really do anything for the ceiling height, which is what really makes it feel like a large empty arena.

It sounds like the Vrancor proposal has more meat to it and they have the deep pockets make it happen. Urban Precinct has a loftier vision but if they're going to be waiting for funding from upper levels of government, forget it. How has that ever worked out for us?

Is there video of the presentations anywhere on the internet?

Here's the video from the General Issues Committee, skip to around 2:50:40 mark

https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings...2-05-09-27.mp4

Vrancor presents first and immediately after Urban Precinct Group presents.

Do I understand correctly? Is the Urban Precinct proposal saying they would like to demolish the current Convention Centre and build a new Art Gallery in it's place with a tower over top and then demolish the current Art Gallery and build two new towers in that space? I'd love to see this stretch of King street more walkable and open to retail along with Summer's Lane but I'd like to see the AGH remain intact. Take down Ellen Fairclough and build a 60 story tower if you need to but leave the AGH as is and maybe expand into the sculpture garden.

Highly doubt we see a 60 story tower.

I'm more concerned with the preservation of the AGH.

Is the AGH as is worth preserving? Never been so I’m genuinely curious.

Why the concern with saving the building? I have been there many times and I have always found the general flow awkward. More importantly, most of it was designed before anyone thought that barrier free access would be a concept. While accommodations have been made, they aren't always what one would plan from new.

I think this is Vrancor's to lose, and they will turn on the jets with a few extra high-rise details (a hotel and 1-2 residential towers), along with the no cost to City and an aggressive timeline to get it done. Wonder if they will entertain partners?

It underwent an $18.2M reno 15 years ago, and announced plans for a $30M reno seven years ago that may or may not still be in the works. (That price tag would probably not come close to the cost of a from-scratch build for a facility that has almost hospital-grade technical specs.)

Nobody as yet has proposed privatizing the AGH, so replacing the gallery on an artificial timeline would be a huge project floated on the public dime. That would be an entertaining prospect. Twenty years ago, there was talk of moving the AGH into the newly-vacant Eaton Centre, and council has more recently debated selling off the gallery's permanent collection to improve its bottom line. (The City makes an annual contribution of $1M+ to the AGH.)

Edited to add some pertinent detail in the Feb 11, 2020 Spec:

"In 2013 the art gallery under previous president and chief executive officer Louise Dompierre proposed a $30-million fundraising campaign to finance a refurbished and expanded gallery that would have included a new wing, three new studios and additional gallery space on the second floor. But councillors rejected the idea that the city would help pay for it, believing residents were opposed to paying higher taxes for the project. The design and fundraising plans were left in limbo until they were scrapped in 2017 as unrealistic."

Rage Against the Machine is playing First Ontario in July, unusually along with Toronto and Buffalo this tour.

Not to belabour the point, but stuff like this is why we need a large arena downtown.

Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Run The Jewels, BTS, Blackpink... None of thes groups are going to a 6-10k seat stadium to play.

If you think about it, Hamilton has a huge market, including Brantford, Grimsby, Burlington, and St Catherine's and Niagara, all of which can make it into and out of Hamilton much quicker and easier than Toronto.

Plus with downtowns revival, there are bars, restaurants and cafes for before and after the concert or show.

In my opinion, 100% yes it's worth saving. I'm not a member anymore, although I should be. I love the AGH. I love the building. The programing. I enjoy getting lost and losing track of time wandering through the gallery. I don't believe it needs to be rebuilt. If there is an opportunity to expand on it then by all means, I would support that. I'm just not a fan of re-doing things every generation. I like the Ellen Fairclough building only because it adds an extra texture to the skyline from a distance. I wouldn't be sad to see it replaced with something tall and exceptional that animates King street which at this point is a disaster.

Every day is like Tuesday .... what is the countdown on this decision. Trust the teams are creatively working away for for an early June reveal (perhaps to a vitrual meeting room via webex or zoom)

I just hope whatever one wins keeps the Bulldogs and Andeluer happy. Has the most high rise dense development. I never heard about Pearle's proposal.

Deal for Hamilton’s entertainment venues expected Friday

Teviah Moro
Spectator Reporter
https://www.thespec.com/news/council...ed-friday.html

City council is expected to announce the successful proponent of a multimillion-dollar revamp of Hamilton’s entertainment venues on Friday.

Two groups made public pitches in February to refurbish and operate the downtown arena, convention centre and concert hall.

Behind closed doors, council told economic development staff to keep working with the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group and Vrancor Group on their proposals.

Confidential negotiations have continued and an announcement is expected Friday.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Coun. John-Paul Danko said about deal without offering details. “It’s a big deal.”

Coun. Jason Farr said to expect a statement from Mayor Fred Eisenberger on Friday.

Springing from a motion by Coun. Sam Merulla in 2018, the city’s goal is to have a private-sector investor redevelop the three aging venues owned by the city in order to generate more property tax revenue and end public subsidies to support them.

Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group includes the Mercanti family’s Carmen’s Group, LIUNA Pension Fund, Fengate Capital, Meridian Credit Union, Jetport Inc. and Paletta International.

They’ve proposed a $500-million plan to equip FirstOntario Centre with expandable seating, building a new convention centre at the location of a renovated City Centre, a mixed-use tower where the existing convention centre sits and an enhanced concert hall.

Carmen’s Group operates the convention centre on behalf of the city.

Vrancor’s proposal — which it has cited as a minimum $200-million investment — is for a renovated and expandable arena with two office towers, a new hotel, a larger convention centre at the existing site and an upgraded concert hall.

Vrancor Group is owned by Darko Vranich, one of Hamilton’s biggest developers of hotels and apartment buildings in recent years.

Representatives of the competing bidders didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

On July 6, councillors met in camera for an update on the talks and voted publicly to instruct staff to declare the properties surplus to unload them through sale, lease or easement.

As well, staff were told to firm up a memorandum of understanding and other agreements. There was no public mention of the winning proponent. Related documents and reports weren’t released.

On Friday, councillors are expected to sign off on the final details.

Wonder how the one bid using the City centre as the new convention centre would work with the current owners just releasing drawings of their condo proposal.

So Vrancor won?

The rendering for the City Centre looked preliminary to me, it'll likely not look like that. Plus I don't think a moved convention centre will take up the whole lot, just a portion.

big reveal tomorrow - any details on when/time of day council is meeting to announce

I hope Carmens Group wins the bid. With Vrancor we all know the development will be underwhelming.

When has Carmens developed anything worth celebrating?

Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group wins.

Good. Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group definitely had the better proposal. I personally like their arena design a lot better than the Vrancor one.

Plus their project is worth $500 million vs. $200 million from Vrancor.

Later today, probably this afternoon the Mayor will release more information. This will change the plans for the City Centre (this is where they want to put the convention centre, I'm guessing along York Blvd).

The Precinct Group proposes to invest $50m in renovations to FirstOntario Centre, $16m in upgrades to FirstOnt Concert Hall, convention centre, and $340.5m mixed use development that will include affordable housing.

https://twitter.com/WerkHCN

City selects $500M plan for Hamilton's downtown entertainment facilities
The winning proposal suggests huge changes to the facilities and 3 high-rise buildings

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...osal-1.5653371

The winning proposal of the multi-million dollar renovation to Hamilton's downtown entertainment facilities proposes massive changes to FirstOntario Centre, FirstOntario Concert Hall and the Hamilton Convention Centre, as well as a series of high-rises.

The bidder, Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) — which includes Carmen's Group, LiUNA, Fengate Capital, Meridian Credit Union, Paletta International and Jetport Inc. — offered a $500-million pitch.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger made the highly anticipated announcement during Friday's city council meeting, saying that the group had come out "on top."

"I think it's going to be a great opportunity for a transformational upgrades to our facilities" he said, calling the investment "historic."

More details will come when the master agreement is finalized, but here are some of the plans suggested so far:

HUPEG originally proposed keeping FirstOntario's seating capacity, and suggested relocating the convention centre to a part of Hamilton City Centre.

Three high-rises downtown would include the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the convention centre, condos and commercial space. Two more towers are possible at the corner of Bay Street and King Street East.

The other option considered was a $200-million plan by Vrancor Group, a prolific Hamilton development company owned by Darko Vranich. Among its changes, the project proposed limiting the arena's capacity to around 15,400 seats, with the possibility to expand to 17,000 if needed.

"The numbers showed that the precinct group was the better proposal, better bid and that's the direction we're moving forward on," Eisenberger said, and added that he think the announcement will get a positive reaction from Hamilton Bulldogs owner, Michael Andlauer.

More to come.

https://i.cbc.ca/1.5653402.159499697...-rendering.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EdIoNUzW...name=4096x4096
https://twitter.com/HamiltonsMayor

Council selects Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group L.P to revitalize Hamilton’s entertainment district
JULY 17 2020
https://www.hamilton.ca/government-i...urban-precinct

HAMILTON, ON – Today, in a historic decision, Hamilton City Council announced that the City will move forward with the development plan from Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group L.P. (known as ‘the Precinct Group’) to deliver entertainment, culture, and renewed vitality to Hamilton’s downtown core. The Precinct Group’s plan includes a modernized arena, a newly renovated convention centre and concert hall, significant investment in the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as well as new residential, affordable housing, office and retail space development.

Today’s announcement signals an important first step in the development process. Next steps include negotiations between the City and the Precinct Group to create a “Master Agreement”, which is expected to be finalized in late 2020. The completion of this “Master Agreement” would see arena renovations beginning in the Fall of 2021.

In addition to taking on all capital costs for the renewal of the City’s entertainment facilities, under the plan approved by Council today, the Precinct Group would take over responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the FirstOntario Centre and the FirstOntario Concert Hall for a period of 99 years and of the Hamilton Convention Centre indefinitely, without any monetary contribution from the City. In a 2019 study completed by Ernst and Young, the elimination of the City’s ongoing subsidization and capital commitments at its entertainment assets would provide Hamilton taxpayers with $155M in savings over the next 30 years. The City’s contribution to this initiative involves City owned lands in the downtown core and deferrals of a portion of any additional property taxes resulting from the new developments.

The Precinct Group’s proposed $50M renovation of FirstOntario Centre includes a new building exterior, comprehensive transformation of the lower bowl, expanded concourse level, and a new flexible and attractive curtaining system for the upper bowl balcony. Fans will have access to premium amenities like a microbrewery, suites, and hospitality clubs. Fans will also have year-round access to the experience through street-level hospitality activations on York Blvd. and Bay Street. The management of the transformed arena will pursue global partnerships to supply top touring artists and live events in the facility. The Precinct Group looks forward to the continued partnership with the Hamilton Bulldogs as the arena's anchor tenant.

In addition to the comprehensive arena transformation, the Precinct Group’s plan also includes over $16M in capital upgrades to the existing Hamilton Convention Centre, FirstOntario Concert Hall, and Art Gallery of Hamilton. As well, an estimated $340.5M in auxiliary mixed-use development, including affordable housing, will be part of any residential developments that stem from this initiative.

The City of Hamilton would like to thank Darko Vranich and his Vrancor Group team for their continued investment in the Hamilton community. While their proposal was not ultimately selected, Vrancor Group invested significant time and effort into this process. The City commends Vrancor Group for their vision, professionalism and passion for our city, and looks forward to more opportunities to work together as part of Hamilton’s transformation story.

FINALLY!

This is going to be some major transformation to this area - much needed!

Is anybody else skeptical that $50M is enough to get what those renderings are showing?

Completely redoing the exterior, eliminating the bank of stairs on Bay Street, new scoreboard, new suites, looks like new vomitories leading to a new concourse, below the existing concourse, new curtain system, new club, microbrewry. I'm assuming replacement of original upper level seats and ice making plant which is close to failure.

I don't think $50M is enough? Maybe I'm wrong.

$50 million isn't an insubstantial amount of money. That's about how much a ~20 storey apartment building costs to build.

I'm interested to see the rest of the plans beyond the arena.

Specifically what they are doing with the convention centre now that they can't move it to City Centre, which is owned by IN8.