Downtown Update

[Beedok]

Someone is secretly planning to build the tallest building on Earth.

[SteelTown]

A 73 unit, seven storey apartment building

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=204654

[Beedok]

Ah, right, that lot.

Hope it looks better than the renders.

[matt602]

Ah yes, that one... really hope they revised that design.

[LikeHamilton]

Hamilton’s building boom continues in 2013

By Lisa Marr thespec.com

Hamilton had another $1-billion year.

The city issued its building permit reports for December 2013 and its year-end results which showed it had a total of $1.03 billion in construction value.

Construction activity was nearly divided in half between residential and non-residential. The residential sector represented 51.2 per cent of the annual total with more than $524 million. Industrial, commercial and institutional sectors were worth $496 million in construction value.

"Last year (2012) we hit the $850 million, but we first broke $1 billion in 2010. It's really remarkable," said Neil Everson, the city's director of economic development. "We're actually averaging $1 billion in construction a year since 2009."

The city recorded a record $1.5 billion in construction in 2012.

Some key projects leading the 2013 construction values including downtown's Homewood Suites and Bella Towers complex, the McMaster health campus downtown, the new Tim Hortons Field stadium and large industrial projects such as the new Maple Leaf meat processing plant in the Red Hill business park.

Finishing the year 2013 with a slight majority of construction in the residential sector is good and bad, said Everson.

Bad, because the city needs more industrial and commercial development to generate economic growth.

But good, because Hamilton's population is aging, making new homes a possible indication of a demographic shift to younger families. Everson said it's important to also look at where the growth is happening, which includes the older parts of the city with several renovation projects.

"We have 15 planned residential projects for the downtown, that's really good news," he said.

Construction in Hamilton has surged compared with surrounding regions, particularly the Niagara Peninsula, said Everson. But in Burlington, construction values have stayed strong, but heavily weighted in residential.


[email protected]

905-526-3992 | @lisamatthespec

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/43...inues-in-2013/

[ScreamingViking]

"We have 15 planned residential projects for the downtown, that's really good news," he said.

I wonder if he's talking about permits that have already been issued, or a new bunch coming up soon ("planned")

[matt602]

You can definitely stretch the definition of "planned" pretty good. Even Blanchard's "development" could fall under that. Or whatever.

[davidcappi]

Hamilton to host the 2015 JUNO awards.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/43...opps-coliseum/

GOOD news for the city. 2015 is gonna be a big year for hamilton

[ScreamingViking]

That is terrific. I'd say it's about time but they're doing a better job rotating the event around the country now.

Hopefully many pubs and bars have a chance to host some bands and performers too, along with whatever is part of the official Juno schedule.

[ihateittoo]

I hope they get Mike Bullard back to host it.

[CaptainKirk]

Tweet.

Hamilton EcDev ‏@hamiltonecdev 3m
Just found out a new bakery coming to King William Street in Downtown #hamont. #renewal

[oldcoote]

Wonder what their square footage needs are?

I also expect they would demand ... wait for it .... parking. Sounds like a great candidate for a new build on Jackson St.

Paging Mr Blanchard.

[matt602]

Good news about the bakery on King William.

I passed the new La Luna Express on Barton yesterday and it looks like its either very near completion or has already opened. The signage looks pretty top notch. I'm sure they'll do well there. Great addition to Barton Street.

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by matt602

Good news about the bakery on King William.

I passed the new La Luna Express on Barton yesterday and it looks like its either very near completion or has already opened. The signage looks pretty top notch. I'm sure they'll do well there. Great addition to Barton Street.

I've got a good feeling about Barton St.

Not sure how long it's been, but i recently noticed a few art galleries spilling over on Barton east of James.

There's Jet Hall, and now Harry Stinson wants to convert Gibson school to condos

[urban_planner]

There is also a restaurant in the works for 541 Barton.

[interr0bangr]

I just bought a house close to Victoria/Barton and will be moving in around mid March. My fiance and I are considering opening some sort of establishment on Barton assuming the numbers work...we love the potential of the area.

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by interr0bangr

I just bought a house close to Victoria/Barton and will be moving in around mid March. My fiance and I are considering opening some sort of establishment on Barton assuming the numbers work...we love the potential of the area.

Welcome!

Can you give us a little hint of what you're thinking about opening?

[interr0bangr]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Welcome!

Can you give us a little hint of what you're thinking about opening?

I used to own a small gallery/shop in Toronto (http://www.blogto.com/gallery/industtrees) so something along those lines combined with a cafe as my best friend has been a world class barista for the last 15 years and has been toying with the idea of opening up his own space. I dunno, don't get your hopes up yet as we haven't even moved in yet but we'll see!

[Pearlstreet]

delete

[Pearlstreet]

Originally Posted by interr0bangr

I used to own a small gallery/shop in Toronto (http://www.blogto.com/gallery/industtrees) so something along those lines combined with a cafe as my best friend has been a world class barista for the last 15 years and has been toying with the idea of opening up his own space. I dunno, don't get your hopes up yet as we haven't even moved in yet but we'll see!

Welcome to the neighbourhood neighbour! I look forward to being a nearby customer.