Downtown Update

[fastcarsfreedom]

Yes...let me restate my previous comments--the Canada Permanent Building was actually more stylish than I remember it--perhaps I never took the time to look closely enough at it--outside of the context it was in. As you know I favor Modernism and Internationalism--and that building's demolition was indeed a loss.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by Hammer Native

Almost looks like a small slice of City Hall, doesn't it? Probably the same style architecture of it's time. BTW, that's where I opened my very first bank account when I was about 8 years old, I felt a bit sentimental about that building.

Yup. Beautiful example of the International Style. Very sad. Thanks for giving it a rethink, Fastcars.

[RePinion]

I don't think anyone is questioning that the Canada Permanent building was a worthy one. Its presence is sorely missed.

As between Blanchard and Vranich, both have made mistakes, but only Blanchard has made a mitigating positive contribution to the core. He has to his credit the Bank of Montreal, the Landed Banking and Loan, and now the Hunter Street building. Regardless of the buildings he has torn down in the past (and the parking lots he has put up in their stead), Blanchard is quite clearly on a different path now.

Vranich, on the other hand, has what to his credit - that hideous Staybridge Suites? If Vranich pulls through on the Homewood Suites project and doesn't leave the HMP property a parking lot, then obviously his reputation will have to be reevaluated as well.

[markbarbera]

Vranich has the restoration of the Victorians along Main and Queen to his credit as well. While their restorations are slow-moving, the completed south-east corner of Queen and Main is a vast improvement over its previous incarnation.

[JT Jacobs]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

Vranich has the restoration of the Victorians along Main and Queen to his credit as well. While their restorations are slow-moving, the completed south-east corner of Queen and Main is a vast improvement over its previous incarnation.

Does anyone happen to have an image of these Victorians handy?

[RePinion]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

Vranich has the restoration of the Victorians along Main and Queen to his credit as well. While their restorations are slow-moving, the completed south-east corner of Queen and Main is a vast improvement over its previous incarnation.

I would view this as a rather minor contribution - hardly comparable to the scope of the projects Blanchard has taken on. The architectural value of those structures vis-a-vis great public buildings like BMO and Landed Banking and Loan is nugatory. This is still a sign that Vranich may finally be moving in the right direction though ...

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by JT Jacobs

Does anyone happen to have an image of these Victorians handy?

Here's a peek


That's one of probably over 8 buildings in the area being renovated.

[RePinion]

I cannot deny that they look much better though ...

[JT Jacobs]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Here's a peek


That's one of probably over 8 buildings in the area being renovated.

Terrific! Thanks. An obvious improvement.

I've always loved that strip of Main ST east of Dundurn, right around the old CHCH digs, to Queen St, and beyond; it has always had so much commercial potential that has gradually been killed by one-way express traffic. Such a shame.

[SteelTown]

I absolutely HATE HATE HATE when owners paint over bricks, like how that building used to be on Main and Queen.

There's a beautiful building on Queen and Aberdeen and its painted grey hiding the bricks. Ugh kills me seeing it each morning.

[RePinion]

A lot of older brick buildings were painted for a purpose. Certain qualities of brick do not stand up well to the elements and need a coating of paint to protect them from the weather. It is thus not always wise to remove the paint from an old brick facade purely for aesthetic reasons without determining beforehand whether some sort of sealant will be required ...

That being said, I think bare brick looks better too, although I have seen some nice Victorians which have kept (or attempted to recreate) their original paint scheme.

As for the building at Queen and Aberdeen, it does look like hell, you're absolutely right.

[Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by RePinion

A lot of older brick buildings were painted for a purpose. Certain qualities of brick do not stand up well to the elements and need a coating of paint to protect them from the weather. It is thus not always wise to remove the paint from an old brick facade purely for aesthetic reasons without determining beforehand whether some sort of sealant will be required ...

That being said, I think bare brick looks better too, although I have seen some nice Victorians which have kept (or attempted to recreate) their original paint scheme.

As for the building at Queen and Aberdeen, it does look like hell, you're absolutely right.

You also see this on highrise structures that are clad with corrugated sheet metal. It looks terrible but it's there to keep the water out. Older brick and mortar does not hold up well to Freeze/thaw cycles. The exposed bricks and joints become a huge sponge when it rains.

[realcity]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

I always loved that building...it would have made great condos/lofts, especially with that upper floor terrace area.
Yea, the plans were for a new office building, but mid 90's that sure wasn't happening.

awesome building

if
i'm not mistaken there was retail on the street level.... Cotton Club

[Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by realcity

awesome building

if
i'm not mistaken there was retail on the street level.... Cotton Club

Cottonwood

[fastcarsfreedom]

I believe you're correct on Cottonwood. Not sure if they shared space with The Permanent, or moved in after the branch was vacated.

[SteelTown]

That the conditional loan commitment under the Hamilton Downtown Residential Loan Program for 150 Main Street West (old Federal building), previously approved in the amount of $4,000,000.00 be cancelled due to the owner not proceeding with the residential development project at this time;

[SteelTown]

That the conditional loan commitment under the Hamilton Downtown Residential Loan Program for 212 King William Street, previously approved in the amount of $3,600,000.00 be cancelled due to the sale of the property;

[SteelTown]

47 Caroline Street North - To date twenty-six (26) units have been sold out of fifty-one (51) condominium units.

[raisethehammer]

bad news here:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...15PED08094.pdf

[raisethehammer]

get ready for many, many years of the old federal building looking like a bombed out piece of crap.