The Olympia Club | ? | 4fl | Complete

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

I wasn't excited about this project. I thought they should have just worked with the facade they had.

I haven't seen it in person yet, but it far surpasses my expectations. Turns out they were right. Surprise!

Oh ye of little faith - everything they touch turns to gold

They restored the original facade of the building - the arliss shoes facade was never "pretty"...

Originally Posted by hlucham

Core Urban just posted some interior shots on their instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/coreurbaninc/

nice pics! Not huge on the piping showing in the ceiling but it is what it is..

and arghghgh no foyer shots! I want to see that beautiful front entrance!

[King&James]

Thanks for posting hlucham - great photos... keep them coming!

[Chronamut]

Due to my tall height I was able to peer over the hoarding inside and look in. Looks like they have a security system that allows people in and out as some people were in for private tours I am imagining. The top 3 floors appear to already have office stuff and plants in them, and the bottom floor - at least on one side, appears to have hexagonal black and white tiles - quite big tiles like the size of the tiles on the old bingo hall facade.

I could only make out the silhouette of the mezzanine balcony but it's there - and I am not sure if they are going to do anything with the metal beams that join to the mezzanine floor or just keep them bare. I'd like to seem them keep up an art deco style as the railing is art deco.

But yeah the first floor still has a lot of work left to do.

Also the ceiling of the front entrance outside is not finished yet - it has the potlights but it looks like it's still waiting for whatever final finish they are going to put on top. If it's consistent with other builds maybe those wood strips that seem to be everywhere in core urbans projects.

It's pretty cool looking up close - although I question their use of a beige front entrance - I really hope this doesn't get tagged. Still if it's a generic enough colour it may be easy to patch those up if it does happen.

Can't wait to go inside - the inside is MASSIVE - so much space was boarded up and wasted when it was the salvation army..

I am also VERY curious to know what they are going to do in the basement as they have opened up a giant hole on the side of the building under the foundation - if I had to guess it may be increased parking for the cobalt.

[LikeHamilton]

From Steve Kulakowsky, owner of Core Urban and this building in Facebook.

As a real estate business we want our tenants to succeed. Their success is our shared success.
In the case of 61 King E there are exceptions.
With little consumer protection, cheque cashing stores typically extort the most marginalized and low income groups. High fees and interest rates keep them in a cycle that is hard to break.
We have not extended the Lease of Cash Money and are proud to say this is the 2nd outlet of this kind we have closed in our portfolio.
The foresight in the City of Hamilton's 2018 bylaw is working. Once a cheque cashing location is closed it can no longer re open, in any ward. No new licences are issued.
As a result, this storefront may remain vacant, but in time the future use will be a positive for our community, not a negative.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...mg&oe=63C25DEF

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...3w&oe=63C28D5E

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

From Steve Kulakowsky, owner of Core Urban and this building in Facebook.



https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...mg&oe=63C25DEF

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...3w&oe=63C28D5E

WOOHOO! Another one down the crapper! This is great news as we need to get rid of ALL of them in the core- they only keep the poor poorer - parasites!

Does this mean they will finish that facade now as they can finally remove the cash sign and rebuild the front entrance on that building beside the olympia club?

[craftbeerdad]

Don't know if they'll rebuild the façade, but the cash money sign has been blacked out for about two months.

Cash chequing places are amongst the most predatory businesses around. The fact we've been able to close a few around the core is a huge win. There's still a few left but this helps to minimize the cyclicality of financial burden and impulsive substance abusive behaviour. If anything the city needs more outreach centres or psychologists + financial life coaches in the core to work with people to help them get ahead.

Pushing these services into Ward 3 from Ward 2 does nothing to help mitigate the perpetual cycle but at least the downtown will look better to prospective businesses.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

Don't know if they'll rebuild the façade, but the cash money sign has been blacked out for about two months.

Cash chequing places are amongst the most predatory businesses around. The fact we've been able to close a few around the core is a huge win. There's still a few left but this helps to minimize the cyclicality of financial burden and impulsive substance abusive behaviour. If anything the city needs more outreach centres or psychologists (financial coaches) in the core to work with people to remedy issues. Pushing these services into Ward 3 from Ward 2 does nothing to help mitigate the perpetual cycle but at least the downtown will look better to prospective businesses.

Honestly I think some of the psychiatric places need to re-open as some of these people need to be kept on a program and be forced to stay there until they are clean.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

at least the downtown will look better to prospective businesses.

Which although is superficial and doesn't really help the people who need help, it will at least further drive development in the core. Business and residential, so I welcome it. The core has been a dumping ground for far too long.

I wish Nann would listen to her critics in Ward 3 (Furlan had some pretty valid concerns), but that's another matter

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Which although is superficial and doesn't really help the people who need help, it will at least further drive development in the core. Business and residential, so I welcome it. The core has been a dumping ground for far too long.

I wish Nann would listen to her critics in Ward 3 (Furlan had some pretty valid concerns), but that's another matter

It is sad, but optics are huge and these people should not be centered right in the core. Hopefully we can do better as a city to get these people the help they need, and restore the core to a place that "feels" respectable. I really hope the businesses come - we will have almost that whole south side of king soon to fill back up.

[TheRitsman]

Was very glad to see this. More proof that Steve and Co are the real deal and really care about this city and it's future. Hamilton has a few really great people that just make the city shine way brighter than it would without them.

[ScreamingViking]

Anyone remember how many of these "businesses" the city used to have when they were at peak vs. what we do now?

One only need do a quick search to see where they're concentrated, to take advantage of the people that are most likely to be victims customers. And also interesting is where they are not located.

[TheHonestMaple]

Really glad to see this. Those places are an absolute drag on our downtown and society as a whole.

[Innsertnamehere]

That makes 2 closing downtown in as many weeks, with the one in City Centre closing as well.

[drpgq]

This ground level spot has been empty a long time now.