Downtown Update - Page 61

drpgq · #**1201** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 4:54 PM**

Senior condominiums kind of worries me.

SteelTown · #**1202** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 4:59 PM**

It's the latest crave, older adults downgrading to condos. My parents are looking to downgrade as well.

drpgq · #**1203** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 5:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

It's the latest crave, older adults downgrading to condos. My parents are looking to downgrade as well.

True, but I think there's an important difference between a general building where anyone can buy including older adults and something like the building near the Pheasant Plucker.

ihateittoo · #**1204** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 5:29 PM**

"Holding up the development was the public outcry that Vranich was going to demolish the Revenue Building on Bay and Caroline streets"

Really? 5-years later you were just about to start and then a month ago the outcry soiled your plans?

Anyone know anything about his financing? 100 million dollars is a lot of dough.
This article also doesn;t seem to mention the Federal Government clause about using the exisiting building in any future development.

Of course I would welcome this development but I'm a little jaded about that block - and the parking structure/lcbo that was suppose to go in the block beside it.

Also I agree - Condominiums geared towards seniors - but not another first place - especially so close to Hess Village - they will stifle developments in that area.

SteelTown · #**1205** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 5:42 PM**

Isn't First Place rental? I think it's even affordable rental for seniors.

This place is more in the lines of Amica of Dundas, resort style with condo fees.

flar · #**1206** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 5:57 PM**

Vranich's market research is correct in identifying huge demand for seniors condos, but did the market research think to ask if they would buy a condo within earshot of 19 year olds screaming and yelling at 3am every night of the week?

SteelTown · #**1207** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 6:08 PM**

Does it matter if you are up on the 5th to 20th floor?

flar · #**1208** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 6:19 PM**

Most definitely. I used to live on the 12th/13th floors and heard everything from nearby bars.

SteelTown · #**1209** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 6:32 PM**

I'm sure Vranich took that into account especially since he owns properties along Hess Village. Better sound barriers and probably french balcony.

Jon D · #**1210** Posted **Feb 14, 2011, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

I'm sure Vranich took that into account especially since he owns properties along Hess Village. Better sound barriers and probably french balcony.

You'd think so, but not necessarily! Developers skimp wherever possible. I live across the street from a bar and the developer made absolutely NO effort to properly soundproof the place! The plus side is I can throw parties without having to invest in a sound system...

realcity · #**1211** Posted **Feb 15, 2011, 2:39 AM**

dream on. that will not be the plan.

That land will be used at a minimum land use, suburban quality and parking. Since our current by-laws require a certain amount of parking spaces per use.

markhornich · #**1212** Posted **Feb 16, 2011, 9:31 PM**

I noticed yesterday that the 'protective' glass outside door/fence to Joe Buttinsky's was pulled back, and the lights were on in there. I peered in and saw a bunch of tools and construction materials and what appeared to be interior demo, hopfully for renovation.

I was told that the owners of Harvest Moon on James N. bought that place in March or something. Anything know anything about what might be going on at Joe Buttinsky's?

matt602 · #**1213** Posted **Feb 17, 2011, 12:24 AM**

I had been told at least a year ago that someone had bought it and hoped to turn it into some kind of dessert place. Obviously never happened and I had little faith in that rumor to begin with, given the surroundings. Although the strip joint is gone, the area really hasn't gotten any better. The Connaught is sort of a black hole for economic development.

I hope whatever goes in can do well.

thistleclub · #**1214** Posted **Feb 17, 2011, 4:14 PM**

That block should hopefully click once Treble Hall is restored and occupied again, but probably not before.

Sadly, ground floor retail in the core seems to go to the lowest common denominators – convenience stores, payday loans and fast food have colonized around 75% of the CBD, which is doubtless a problematic visual profile for investors.

It's not for lack of available space. After almost three years, spacious ground floor retail plates in the Foster-McKay Buildings and Gore Building are still standing vacant (as is true of Spallaci further east next to Denningers), soon to be joined by South Side (and perhaps Mahal). So much for Williams Coffee Pub, huh? Some have predicted that The Right House will bleed out when the Lister comes online; judging from their tenant directory, could well be. Hoping Bank of Nova Scotia will weather the pedestrianization of Gore Park.

urban_planner · #**1215** Posted **Feb 17, 2011, 8:14 PM**

Speaking of Banks and Downtown Hamilton First Ontario credit Union is opening a branch in the first floow of the Scarfone and hawkings Building.

Also I am sure I am not the only one that has notice this but on the top of commenrce place tower 2 the is a nre Investors Group Logo along the side facing down into the Macnab Transit Terminal. However one still remains the the top of 100 Main West.

Does anyone know if they now occupy two buildings are are the leaving one for the other. Hopefully its the former and not the latter.

SteelTown · #**1216** Posted **Feb 17, 2011, 8:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban_planner

Does anyone know if they now occupy two buildings are are the leaving one for the other. Hopefully its the former and not the latter.

Both I believe. There was an article stating the sky tunnel is finally open and in use. Lawyers moved in as well.

mattgrande · #**1217** Posted **Feb 17, 2011, 8:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban_planner

Speaking of Banks and Downtown Hamilton First Ontario credit Union is opening a branch in the first floow of the Scarfone and hawkings Building.

That's great news for me! I'm kinda surprised, though, since they have a location on Dundurn already.

SteelTown · #**1218** Posted **Mar 19, 2011, 3:19 PM**

Good news!

First Ontario Credit Union is moving to the vacant storefront at 1 James St South.

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...__PED11050.pdf

SteelTown · #**1219** Posted **Mar 19, 2011, 3:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

The most interesting part from Paul Wilson's Streetbeat article in the Spec today....

Quote:

Gas stations with repair bays are rare these days. And 2009 saw the demolition of a vintage one — Forbes, at Main and Queen. Shell sent them packing, then left the premises vacant, a gift to area graffiti artists.

But now it’s down, and a few weeks ago Shell sold the property to developer Ralph Frisina.

He likes the location, likes Main Street. So did his father, the late Al Frisina. Eight blocks due east, he built Hamilton’s tallest building, the 43-storey Century 21 in the early ’70s.

Son Ralph hopes to erect a structure with retail on the ground level and a couple of floors of residential or commercial above.

Frisina is also trying to nail down a deal on another Shell eyesore on Main — the empty lot at John that was home to the station run by Al Bridge, who served Shell downtown for 63 years

- 235 Main Street West at Queen Street: Options considered include a two storey building with first floor retail and second floor office; or a 10 storey, 88 unit residential building with three (3) levels of underground parking and ground floor commercial uses.

matt602 · #**1220** Posted **Mar 21, 2011, 12:44 AM**

That 10 story would be nice.