18-30 King St East | 106.9m | 32 fl | Proposed

[CaptainKirk]

Local developer and designer Mahesh Butani has prepared a compromise development proposal for the Blanchard Block at Gore Park that would not only save the historic Gore Park buildings, but also integrate new development.

Personally, I'd like to see that missing tooth in the streetwall filled with a replication of the original facade.

http://rebuildhamilton.com/2013/08/0...ark-buildings/

[Innsertnamehere]

that's horrible. I could spend 10 minutes on sketchup and come up with something much much better.

[coalminecanary]

when will this city learn to stop giving weight to land speculators' empty promises? It's like a daily re-living of the simpsons monorail episode around here. If only leonard nimoy would come save us from ourselves....

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

that's horrible. I could spend 10 minutes on sketchup and come up with something much much better.

From the article dated August 1, 2013:

Note: these renderings are not finished. They will be released in a few weeks with materials, textures etc. However, due to the immediate possibility of demolition, Butani decided to release various views of the unfinished rendering.

[markbarbera]

I am not sure if this is an actual conceptualization from Blanchard's development team. Does Maresh Butani have a direct working relationship with David Blanchard, or is this his own personal recommendation for how the site should be developed?

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

I am not sure if this is an actual conceptualization from Blanchard's development team. Does Maresh Butani have a direct working relationship with David Blanchard, or is this his own personal recommendation for how the site should be developed?

Judging by the article, it appears to me that it's Butani's own personal recommendation, and not tied to the owners/developers.

[the905sDW]

Originally Posted by CaptainKirk

Judging by the article, it appears to me that it's Butani's own personal recommendation, and not tied to the owners/developers.

Not sure if any one else has experience with 3D software. Google SketchUp is really primitive. I use Maxon Cinema 4D. I learned the software on my own. It's very user friendly. A few tuts and you will no doubt get the hang of it - give it a try! There is a demo version on Maxon's website, and full version elsewhere

I'll have a stab at a concept for Gore Park using C4D.

The one above would never work. Adding 'fins' as I call them - flat planks of structure on top of buildings looks odd, especially over existing architecture. In this case, transparency might be best. Something that highlights the history below, and existing architecture. A nice blend to mix them all together.

[coalminecanary]

They own most of the rest of the block. In real cities they build condo towers on lots the size of postage stamps because the value of condos is so high.

If there was demand for a complex like this in Hamilton, it would be under construction on one of the numerous blocks that's already been completely destroyed.

If there was demand, blanchard would have no problem selling the rest of that block to someone who can build a tower behind the existing buildings.

There's no need to do any fancy footwork to build stuff on top of these buildings. How about we worry about filling all of the other empty lots before creating a single new one?

Greed, stupidity, lack of understanding, incompetence in negotiating.... if these buildings come down it will be because of these, and we will not see replacements for years - probably decades - maybe ever.

[msakalau]

remember when developers actually used tall buildings to make a name for themselves back in the day

(see Pigott)

Materiality and aesthetics has been replaced by ignorance and greed

[CaptainKirk]

circa 1875

[coalminecanary]

Why does King widen to 4 lanes after international village? wouldn't it be nice if it stayed 2 lanes all the way to Bay (or all the way to westdale actually)? And imagine how inviting gore park would be if the fences along king were removed? what a mess. this city couldn't urbanism itself out of a paper bag

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by CaptainKirk

Any idea when this was taken? Mid-60s? (judging by the cars and the bus at far left)

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Any idea when this was taken? Mid-60s? (judging by the cars and the bus at far left)

Someone estimated 1972 which is the year the HSR adopted the Tiger-Cat's colours and striping as seen on that bus and the one below.

[Beedok]

Considering the possibility that Stinson is actually being productive, maybe there's hope for this project too.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by CaptainKirk

Someone estimated 1972 which is the year the HSR adopted the Tiger-Cat's colours and striping as seen on that bus and the one below.

Could be. That picture appears to be taken around Christmas (decorated trees) and I believe the Birk's building was demolished the following year, so that would be the latest it could have been photographed.

If it were in colour it would be easier. There was also a stripe on the buses in the older colour scheme. This was apparently photographed in 1969:

Source: Hamilton Transit History, GM TDH-4519


It's an interesting photo of the Gore.
As is that transit history website, if anyone is a transit buff.

[lucasmascotto]

City dangles cash carrot before Gore developer
The Hamilton Spectator
By: Matthew Van Dongen

The city is about to sweeten two grant programs that will make up to $1 million available to a Gore developer if he preserves and designates five historic buildings slated for demolition.

The cash carrot likely isn't enough to save the "falling down" structures between 18 to 28 King St. E, said developer David Blanchard Tuesday.

But he didn't rule out applying for some of the newly available grant money to help preserve façade elements — a tentative plan worked out with city councillors and staff as bulldozers threatened the buildings this summer.

"We're trying to be accommodating, but those building were falling down when we bought them and that hasn't changed," he said. "I don't see the (sweetened grant program) changing the conversation."

Council is expected to ratify changes to the Gore building improvement grant program and a citywide heritage grant program Wednesday.

The changes make cash incentives available by individual address, rather than by building, which would potentially make up to $200,000 per address available to Blanchard if he chose to designate and fix up all five of his properties.

The Gore-specific program offers up to $50,000 per building for building repairs and façade restoration, while the heritage grants max out at $150,000 per property for work to restore heritage elements of a designated property.

The changes weren't aimed specifically at Blanchard, said urban renewal manager Glen Norton, noting owners of larger buildings like the Royal Connaught could also benefit.

"But it does represent a pretty big carrot for them," he said. "If they simply demolish and build anew, they get nothing."

The grant program is a step forward "provided it comes in exchange for real heritage preservation," said Ryan McGreal, who has written extensively in favour of designating Gore Park buildings on his Raise the Hammer blog.

McGreal said public details are scarce about exactly what part of the building facades might be saved by Blanchard and his partners. Salvaging random building elements and "bolting them back" on a new structure is not heritage preservation, he said.

"My worst fear would be we end up incentivizing actions that are actually harmful to heritage preservation," he said.

Norton argued the city isn't paying developers to knock down buildings. "What we're doing is paying progressively higher amounts to save them, or parts of them," he said. "Retaining the façades is better than going with a totally new building."

HIStory + HERitage Gallery founder Graham Crawford, who pitched a public fundraising campaign earlier this year to offset the costs of preserving the buildings, said his first choice would be to see the Gore buildings designated and protected as part of a larger heritage district.

The city could do that now, he noted — but "prudent" heritage incentives aren't a bad idea, either.

"Façade-ism is not at the top of my list; it's a second choice," he said. "But I would never object to using public funds to help preserve a public space — and that's what (the Gore) is."

[Jon Dalton]

They should dangle a cash carrot for some of the small businesses who put all their money on the line while helping downtown revitalize. Instead, we get the book thrown at us with all kinds of convoluted regulations and licensing mechanisms trying to open. Meanwhile those who fence off the downtown and wield the wrecking ball with all the cash in the world get a cash carrot.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

They said they were going to dangle a carrot - they didn't say what they were gonna do with it after that.

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

[matt602]

The years have definitely not been kind to those poor buildings. As we can see now, none of the fancy detailing that used to exist on the ground floor spaces remains behind the stucco junk that got pulled off.