The only thing I'm glad that they outlawed in that image is that ridiculously big union jack.

I never really noticed that the old post office's tower was almost as tall as the connaught! It would be quite impressive today if it was still standing. Although we are lucky that the building that replaced it is beautiful as well.

^Was there a Royal visit that year? Seems peculiar. I believe Mills always had the Union Jack flying, however.

I'm pretty sure you will not get an encroachment agreement for a new overhanging sign anymore. All we have left are the grandfathered ones.

Awnings - I admit I don't know the law but I assume it's illegal to encroach above the sidewalk

^Heard this one before - sign might fall on a pedestrian. Idiots.

Montreal has a shopping district on St. Hubert St, where the sidewalk on both sides of the narrow street is covered with a glass awning. I think it would fit perfectly in the International Village or maybe Lock St.

Love how they make allowances for trees.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4123/4...72f29a56b4.jpg

http://media1.ledevoir.com/images_ga...3597/image.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4118/...e32983_b_d.jpg

http://cdn.narcity.com/wp-content/up...o-1000x691.jpg

http://media.voir.ca/pictures/59/59704_5.jpg

https://journalmetrocom.files.wordpr...8&h=408&crop=1

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a4&oe=56BD5A84

1977 FB VH

I can't place that photo. What corner is that?

^Wilson and James N.

That's the old Grand Theatre at right and the former Mex-I-Can across the street.

It looks like they'd already changed the course of Wilson at that point i.e. it used to dead-end at James. The Grand must have come down not too long after this photo was taken. Another bummer...

Thanks! I kept trying to think of a corner where there was a triangle of open land, but was drawing blanks.

So the grand Centre Point plaza now sits where the Grand once did... :gaah:

Plaza - what a peculiar use of the word. But, yeah, totes shameful. I believe it's a certain Mr J Beume of 123 James N who was behind the glory that is Centre Point Plaza.

From the great Paul Wilson's piece in the Spec today

Old YWCA building:
http://media.zuza.com/b/8/b87a50f7-3....2_Gallery.jpg

1970 view (numbers correspond to buildings listed below):
http://media.zuza.com/1/3/13807a58-f....2_Gallery.jpg

1. Hamilton Public Library (now the Family Court)
2. CIBC (demolished)
3. Royal Bank (demolished)
4. Crane with "900 CHML" sign
5. Pigott Building
6. 25 Main West under construction
7. YWCA (demolished)
8. Union Gas Building
9. Office building (demolished a couple of years ago)
10. '63 Mercury Monterey (Wilson's observation)

Today's view:
http://media.zuza.com/3/6/36ce935a-c....2_Gallery.jpg

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a3&oe=56CB3C15

FB VH

^Please don't do a before and after! I have a delicate constitution...

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a6&oe=56B3ECF5

1977

Facebook Vintage Hamilton, Gerald Little, photographer.

Ya did it. You showed the 'after'...

And to think that there's still another after.

Oh wow, man - mind-blowing...