Downtown Update - Page 182

Chronamut · #**3621** Posted **Jun 3, 2017, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

To all those who believe in the idea of progress: look at the building in front of you, now look to the right. In terms of architecture, we're in full-on regress mode.

you will never ever see a new building built in the style of the building on the right. It's all about 90 degree angles now..

LikeHamilton · #**3622** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 2:43 PM**

Downtown Hamilton church may transform into live music hall

900 CHML By Ken Mann Reporter

There are big plans in the works for a historic church in the heart of downtown Hamilton.

Reverend Ian Sloan of New Vision United Church, which stands at the corner of Main and MacNab streets, has unveiled a plan to transform the structure into a live music hall and social justice centre.

Sloan is asking the city to accelerate the property’s heritage designation study so that they’ll know what elements of the almost 150-year-old church need to be preserved.

He adds that will lead to the development of a business plan, followed by a capital campaign.

The heritage designation study had been planned for 2021, but Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr presented a notice of motion at Tuesday’s meeting of the planning committee which would instead move it up to this year.

Sloan adds that the transformation would contribute to Hamilton’s music strategy, by filling the need for a live music hall with seating capacity in the 1,000 range.

In 2016, approximately 800 people gathered in the hall for a Syrian newcomer refugee benefit concert.

http://globalnews.ca/news/3506924/downtown-hamilton-church-may-transform-into-live-music-hall/

Beedok · #**3623** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

To all those who believe in the idea of progress: look at the building in front of you, now look to the right. In terms of architecture, we're in full-on regress mode.

Styles change. If styles remained the same we'd all be living in mud huts. Maybe some fashions aren't as much your taste, but that new building isn't too bad. Would be nice with more metal and glass though...

Chronamut · #**3624** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

Styles change. If styles remained the same we'd all be living in mud huts. Maybe some fashions aren't as much your taste, but that new building isn't too bad. Would be nice with more metal and glass though...

As far as sustainability our buildings last nowhere near as long, look dated a lot quicker and generally require less effort and craftsmanship to build, because people no longer see buildings as an expression of themselves, but simply as a place to live in (or a cheaper place to put up or buy).

Chronamut · #**3625** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 4:24 PM**

found this article from early 2016 that sheds some interesting lights on pending developments:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/n...ojects-to-fruition-in-hamilton-1.3385944

also plans for the stelco lands just came out (Industrial sector N and M) - check it out!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/city-plan-for-stelco-land-1.4147180

also here is some info of the detoxification challenges bayfront park was presented with upon its inception:

https://www.hamilton.ca/city-initiatives/our-harbour/bayfront-park-pier-4-park-and-waterfront-trail

Beedok · #**3626** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronamut

As far as sustainability our buildings last nowhere near as long, look dated a lot quicker and generally require less effort and craftsmanship to build, because people no longer see buildings as an expression of themselves, but simply as a place to live in (or a cheaper place to put up or buy).

Which is honestly better planning since cities are growing so much faster today than at any point in human history, so the buildings shouldn't be built to last.

Chronamut · #**3627** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

Which is honestly better planning since cities are growing so much faster today than at any point in human history, so the buildings shouldn't be built to last.

it just means there is no culture or history left in cities - people aren't generally amazed by the craftsmanship of steel and glass buildings - maybe just the size and openness of them.

I believe you can have a good balance of both.

#**3628** Posted **Jun 10, 2017, 1:55 AM**

Content removed

Dr Awesomesauce · #**3629** Posted **Jun 10, 2017, 2:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

Which is honestly better planning since cities are growing so much faster today than at any point in human history, so the buildings shouldn't be built to last.

Good God...you must be either an architect or city planner.

LRTfan · #**3630** Posted **Jun 10, 2017, 2:38 AM**

Id love to know which Queen St North site he bought...I live near there. That stretch really needs modern, new investment. Too many huge empty lots.

Beedok · #**3631** Posted **Jun 10, 2017, 1:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

Good God...you must be either an architect or city planner.

The city needs quick infill now to deal with empty lots and the like, but do we want all the infill to be world class when something needs to be torn down for increased density growth?

Making the infill of today semi-cheap helps protect the existing historic structures down the road when the next round of development happens.

Chronamut · #**3632** Posted **Jun 12, 2017, 2:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

The city needs quick infill now to deal with empty lots and the like, but do we want all the infill to be world class when something needs to be torn down for increased density growth?

Making the infill of today semi-cheap helps protect the existing historic structures down the road when the next round of development happens.

it still makes me cringe to hear someone say that hehe.. why can't you increase the density while still adding historical features to a building? I just don't understand the need for it to be one or the other..

davidcappi · #**3633** Posted **Jun 14, 2017, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

But David Horwood, vice-president of Hamilton-based Effort Trust Company, which manages more than 10,000 rental units in Southern Ontario, told the housing summit his firm has cancelled at least one planned project and is reviewing others because of the rent-control changes.

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/real-es...16/?ref=https://www.theglobeandmail.com&

drpgq · #**3634** Posted **Jun 14, 2017, 1:35 AM**

Yeah I don't really think getting rid of rent control for newly built units was a good idea. Limiting the yearly increases so you can't do something like 20% per year (assuming low inflation) I can see. Just when we were seeing some units built in Hamilton, now who knows what will happen.

durandy · #**3635** Posted **Jun 15, 2017, 2:12 PM**

Kathleen was probably right in that developers haven't exactly been rushing to build rentals notwithstanding the nonapplication of rent control. Also, it was never supposed to be a permanent exception from what I understand.

I'd be on board with hiking the rent control index slightly if inclusionary zoning was implemented.