New eatery and office space part of Gore Park revamp
Coun. Jason Farr ‘couldn’t be more happy’ to see projects moving forward after years of stalled plans
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9...e-park-revamp/
A developer who once hoped to build a boutique hotel at Gore Park is moving ahead with a different plan for the high-profile downtown location.
Patrick Bermingham has submitted to the city a proposal to transform 62 and 64 King St. E. into a new restaurant and office space, with possible penthouse units.
The goal is to start construction on the revamp of the more-than-century-old buildings in late spring 2021, says architect Graham McNally. "They are committed and definitely going ahead," he said Tuesday.
That's welcome news for Coun. Jason Farr, who has long hoped to see vacant buildings in downtown's signature promenade brought back to life.
"Within two years, give or take, the whole south side is coming alive, and I couldn't be more happy," said the downtown councillor.
Just west of Bermingham's property, a development consortium is forging ahead with plans for a mixed-use residential building at 18-22, 24-28 King St. E.
The Hughson Business Space Corporation project has been in the works for several years, but a dispute over an initial plan to raze the 19th-century buildings slowed it. That changed, however, and the facades will be preserved, while the back end will come down.
Farr also pointed to Effort Trust's ongoing office building project at Hughson and King, an extensive renovation of the Embassy nightclub and rebirth of the Royal Connaught as elements of the area's rebirth.
Stalled ambitions and resulting derelict buildings along Gore Park have made for eyesores. Farr acknowledged the idleness has generated "questions" in various quarters.
"Not to brag, it was 10 years ago now that council cut the ribbon on a pedestrianized Gore Park. We've invested millions in the park hoping for auxiliary reinvestments from the private side, and now we see it happening in a very big way."
Also, on the north side of King at Hughson, a developer is building residential towers at the site of the former Kresge's department store.
In early 2018, Bermingham and a partner bought 62 King St. E., the former home of Chester's Beers of the World, and 64 King St. E., then a vacant retail space, and later pitched a plan to turn it into a boutique hotel.
But last May, Bermingham and then-project architect Bill Curran said they'd abandoned the $6-million project after running into resistance at city hall over design features — notably a fourth-floor projecting balcony — and unforeseen costs.
Bermingham, who's also a painter and sculptor, couldn't immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
McNally, who was hired in late 2018, noted there was pushback from the community about the initial plan potentially casting shadows on the Gore Park cenotaph, he noted.
Changes to the city's downtown secondary plan now also stipulate buildings can't cast more shadows onto the park.
"The long and short of it, 50 years from now, there should still be sun getting to the Gore, which I think people can agree is a good thing."
McNally, who worked with Bermingham on 103 King St. E., north of the park, said the current plan aims to respect the heritage of the two buildings.
The former Chester's side has been gutted to be refurbished into a new restaurant space. Next door will be offices with exposed brick, he said.
"Young professionals, if they're coming out this way, I think are looking for offices that have character and feel like a trendy, funky place to work."
It's not yet certain whether the fifth floor will have two penthouse residential suites or offices, he noted.
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Map shows key locations that are part of new development near Gore Park. | The Hamilton Spectator
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