Augusta - 165 James St S, 14 and 26 Augusta St | ? | 6, 8 & 8 fl | Under Construction

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Con: they don't have money to buy every parking lot in the city...

That's what financing is for.... you don't think they actually pay for these properties in cash right?

[craftbeerdad]

Yes of course they finance the properties, but there's a little thing called a balance sheet. CoreUrban isn't the largest player, that's what he's referencing in terms of financing (having assets to leverage up).

[TheHonestMaple]

One thing i'm a bit bummed out about with this development is that it appears we're going to lose the trees along Hughson and on Augusta. Wish they could have somehow kept them, but I guess this building is just too close to the street.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

That's what financing is for.... you don't think they actually pay for these properties in cash right?

I don't know which bank you use but mine doesn't let you take out unlimited financing lol

[TheRitsman]

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

Bless CoreUrban for understanding processes, logistics, and operating with efficiency and skill.

I concur, we need to start some sort of fundraising mechanism so that lesser lights don't water down the cityscape while CoreUrban does heavy lifting to respect the historical elements and compliment with modern updates.

I think we need to be serious about this - we should talk to core urban about this - I think you would find many people in the city are more than willing to donate if it means core urban buys up a lot instead of some cookie cutter cheap architect who starts with a v or s. There are a lot of people in this city, esp. the ones that grew up in it and remember the old days that would love to see a return to quality.

Can't wait to see the rest of the stone go up on this!

[TheHonestMaple]

I don't think I would just hand my money over to a company in the form of a donation. Why would I do that, what's in it for me? But if Core Urban came up with some sort of Forge & Foster style investment i'd be down.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I don't think I would just hand my money over to a company in the form of a donation. Why would I do that, what's in it for me? But if Core Urban came up with some sort of Forge & Foster style investment i'd be down.

The whole point of charity is that there ISN'T anything in it for you - you do it purely to help someone else.. this would be to allow them to buy up plots that would normally have something crappy built on them - the beauty they offer would be the reward to you.

And of course you'd need some sorta papertrail to ensure the money was actually going there and not just you know.. being embezzled so I agree with you there.

[Chronamut]

Also some inspiration for core urban from "the alienist" - also allows one to finally see in colour what downtown hamilton would have felt like in the late 1800s:

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

The whole point of charity is that there ISN'T anything in it for you - you do it purely to help someone else.. this would be to allow them to buy up plots that would normally have something crappy built on them - the beauty they offer would be the reward to you.

The other point to a charity is to give to someone who is less fortunate.
I wouldn't give my money to a private business unless it was an investment.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Berklon

The other point to a charity is to give to someone who is less fortunate.
I wouldn't give my money to a private business unless it was an investment.

Come oooonnnn where's your philanthropic spirit

and think of it this way - it's less fortunate for all of us if a crappy builder gets these lands instead of core urban

[Hawrylyshyn]

Ya definitely not donating my money to a private, for-profit business. Donating to charity really can't be compared to this scenario

[Pulkvedis Pods]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

Ya definitely not donating my money to a private, for-profit business. Donating to charity really can't be compared to this scenario

Knee jerk reaction: The private citizen has been, due to the responsibility of development in the hands of corporate entities and municipalities, disengaged from development processes, or rather, stripped of any power to make an impact on the urban landscape.
A crowdfunding approach to a smaller development entity such as Core Urban, one that is transparent and not beholden to shareholders, might give some power back to the people, no? At least those people who have an eye to the creative process?
As Chronamut said, the return on this investment is the improved scenery, the pride in the civic space.
Most private citizens may not accordingly appreciate good aesthetics, but that doesn't matter, offer up quality building and for the most part it shall be appreciated.
Again, looking at the bleakness and litter strewn on our city streets and suburban byways, there is very little civic pride left. Time to build it up! Times to tell city hall that we want decent streets! Enough of Hamilton looking like a Canadian Vorkuta or Norilsk!
This particular project on Augusta is a step in the right direction along with the few quality builds in the city.

[TheRitsman]

Yea, while I won't be donating to such a cause, there are plenty of people that donate to causes that are not specifically for the less fortunate. Most recent was Hamilton Bike Share. People donated thousands of dollars to a system that fundamentally isn't for the poor or lower income individuals. It has elements of that, which I fully support and believe is really important, but while it is a non-profit, they aren't a charity.

Same goes for kickstarters or other crowdfunding. People want to put money toward things they think will provide value to them and others. I don't think it's daft to suggest crowdfunding model for quality for profit developers that respect the areas within which they develop. It may not be for you, but that's the joy of crowdfunding, is that you don't have to contribute.

[ScreamingViking]

Isn't our Design Review Panel intended to look at the proposed appearance of a building project? As in, review the details of the design??

Purpose of the Panel

While the Panel does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects, or make policy decisions, DRP members provide feedback to Planning staff on matters such as:

- The potential physical and aesthetic impacts of proposed developments
- Landscapes, streetscapes, parks, and infrastructure projects
- Supporting creative and unique design solutions
- Fostering an effective relationship with the development industry
- Improving the quality of urban design in Hamilton
- Increasing public awareness about urban design in Hamilton

https://www.hamilton.ca/develop-prop...n-review-panel

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Isn't our Design Review Panel intended to look at the proposed appearance of a building project? As in, review the details of the design??

Purpose of the Panel

While the Panel does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects, or make policy decisions, DRP members provide feedback to Planning staff on matters such as:

- The potential physical and aesthetic impacts of proposed developments
- Landscapes, streetscapes, parks, and infrastructure projects
- Supporting creative and unique design solutions
- Fostering an effective relationship with the development industry
- Improving the quality of urban design in Hamilton
- Increasing public awareness about urban design in Hamilton

https://www.hamilton.ca/develop-prop...n-review-panel

It's a glorified architect hang out. They have no power or actual influence.

They also often miss things about developments or miss questions that should be asked relating to materiality. Nobody spoke to the McMaster residence not having a single commercial unit despite the fact that this is a pedestrian oriented corridor as per the downtown secondary plan. There was confusion about the McMaster residence when discussing the Vrancor development at Caroline and King. They often don't even know where the building sits or the context.

It's a total waste of time

[drpgq]

Hendry's had that crowdfunding to restore their old sign. So it's possible.

[craftbeerdad]

165 James ST S update

[TheRitsman]

Thought some of y'all would appreciate these. Honestly I do still think this, meaning materiality and design is more important than height in some ways, but modern towers so often have nothing but glass on the ground floor and it's so bland and uninviting. It's also nice to have different designs to break up the businesses and buildings. Having too many businesses with the same look is kind of boring. If I were to tell someone how to find "The Brain" I'd suggest the bright yellow building, not give more specific addresses. With many modern buildings, especially block wide buildings it can be hard to differentiate between establishments. It's part of why the Honest Ed's redevelopment is applauded in it's design.

[TheHonestMaple]

I was down on Augusta the other night. They were doing some work inside after dark, all the rooms were lit up. It really added some life to the street. Can't wait to see what the street looks like when this, and the other two are fully occupied.

On this subject, I think the city needs to do something to light up Augusta at night. Seems like there's a complete lack of street lighting. There's only two street lamps between James and Hughson. We should message Farr. It would be nice if they added some more classic looking lamps like on King William, like this,