Tivoli Theatre | ? | 22 fl | Planning - Page 18

TheRitsman · #**341** Posted **Oct 10, 2018, 7:10 PM**

Apparently they are still working on this, no new information, but this was posted a couple weeks ago:

https://mccallumsather.com/inside-ti...e-restoration/

Dr Awesomesauce · #**342** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 12:22 AM**

Clearly a sketchy proposal or this would have been sorted by now...

TheRitsman · #**343** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 12:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

Clearly a sketchy proposal or this would have been sorted by now...

As per their requirements, they must complete the restoration of the theatre prior to construction of any residential or commercial building.

Chronamut · #**344** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 2:49 PM**

some useful info on this project:

https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings...umentId=115453

https://thepublicrecord.ca/wp-conten...ning-Brief.pdf

And a view of the original facade for reference:

hamilton23 · #**345** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronamut

some useful info on this project:

https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings...umentId=115453

https://thepublicrecord.ca/wp-conten...ning-Brief.pdf

It looks like the second link (and possibly the first) are both from 2014....

Chronamut · #**346** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamilton23

It looks like the second link (and possibly the first) are both from 2014....

Yeah can't find anything more recent.. but that would make sense as those would have originally been proposed in 2014. The first is from after 2015.

Also I laugh at their use of "grand staircase" - that's not a grand staircase in the design.. it's just.. a.. staircase haha..

THAT'S a grand staircase.

hamilton23 · #**347** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Apparently they are still working on this, no new information, but this was posted a couple weeks ago:

https://mccallumsather.com/inside-ti...e-restoration/

It appears that the purpose of the architect posting this case study is to demonstrate the process to revitalize the old building. It doesn't necessarily mean the actual work mentioned is/will be completed. Your guess is as good as mine though.

Chronamut · #**348** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamilton23

It appears that the purpose of the architect posting this case study is to demonstrate the process to revitalize the old building. It doesn't necessarily mean the actual work mentioned is/will be completed. Your guess is as good as mine though.

As it stands it's just currently another missing tooth in the mouth of the classy old lady that is miss hamilton.

hamilton23 · #**349** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

As per their requirements, they must complete the restoration of the theatre prior to construction of any residential or commercial building.

The restoration proposal for the theatre has been out there for four plus years now. While our city can be slow to approve proposals at times, I have a hard time believing this wouldn't have been a while ago if everything checked out and if other factors also checked out. It's anyone's guess at this point.

Chronamut · #**350** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:33 PM**

Found this snippet from a site in 2016 which may give some insight:

"Tivoli developer Domenic Diamante is resisting the buzz, holding off on going to market for his 22-storey project until timelines are firmed up.

Diamante says he'd like to start immediately, but has to get through environmental and heritage work on the old James North theatre site.

"At best, it's going to take another three years … That's if everything moves along smoothly.""

So don't expect to see anything on this project until at least 2019.

TheRitsman · #**351** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamilton23

The restoration proposal for the theatre has been out there for four plus years now. While our city can be slow to approve proposals at times, I have a hard time believing this wouldn't have been a while ago if everything checked out and if other factors also checked out. It's anyone's guess at this point.

Last I heard they were working on it. They said it would likely take until 2019 to complete the restoration. I have hope!

hamilton23 · #**352** Posted **Oct 12, 2018, 4:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Last I heard they were working on it. They said it would likely take until 2019 to complete the restoration. I have hope!

It's a big undertaking! It's also important to note that it's almost the beginning of 2019 and no work on the restoration has taken place. It's great to be optimistic, but it would be difficult to complete all of what's proposed for the restoration of that properly by 2019. We'll see though!

TheRitsman · #**353** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 4:41 AM**

According to what I've heard this has no timelines at all anymore. So I'm going to file this into my dead folder.

matt602 · #**354** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 9:25 AM**

Just tonight I stumbled across a recent photo of the inside of the auditorium and I could definitely see some new water damage on a few of the walls. The hydro is still hooked up for now but apart from that, literally nothing else has changed. I wouldn't be surprised if the place slips back into abandonment, unless they sell to a more qualified developer (which could very well put the auditorium at risk of demolition)

timach · #**355** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

Just tonight I stumbled across a recent photo of the inside of the auditorium and I could definitely see some new water damage on a few of the walls. The hydro is still hooked up for now but apart from that, literally nothing else has changed. I wouldn't be surprised if the place slips back into abandonment, unless they sell to a more qualified developer (which could very well put the auditorium at risk of demolition)

At this point let them demolish the whole thing. If a new devolpers wants to actually build here, let them build. Better than letting this place to sit vacant and rot

TheRitsman · #**356** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 6:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by timach

At this point let them demolish the whole thing. If a new devolpers wants to actually build here, let them build. Better than letting this place to sit vacant and rot

I was at the Elgin theatre last night, and while the Tivoli is nowhere near the same level, it is sad that we just tear these down and never build anything of similar quality. We should try to preserve what we were able to save.

matt602 · #**357** Posted **Apr 21, 2019, 7:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by timach

At this point let them demolish the whole thing. If a new devolpers wants to actually build here, let them build. Better than letting this place to sit vacant and rot

The Tivoli is literally the last theatre of it's era located within downtown and while there is water damage and mold, a restoration should be more than do-able. Buildings that were in far worse condition have been restored downtown (Lister Block, parts of the Royal Connaught, Victoria Hall/McKay building, probably most of the upper part of 10 James N). Recent restorations to the Westdale and Playhouse theatres prove there is obviously a business case for restoration versus demolition and the location of the Tivoli couldn't possibly be better for it, right in the centre of the most desirable part of downtown right now.

The problem is the current owners, not the structure. The fact that they had to resort to a "toonie drive" a decade ago proves that they were never really in the financial position to build a condo tower in the first place, let alone restore the existing auditorium.

movingtohamilton · #**358** Posted **Apr 21, 2019, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by timach

At this point let them demolish the whole thing. If a new devolpers wants to actually build here, let them build. Better than letting this place to sit vacant and rot

Just one more example of what Hamilton specializes in. Demolition-by-neglect. It's a defeatist attitude, and should not be promoted imo.

Pipedreams · #**359** Posted **Apr 21, 2019, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

The problem is the current owners, not the structure. The fact that they had to resort to a "toonie drive" a decade ago proves that they were never really in the financial position to build a condo tower in the first place, let alone restore the existing auditorium.

The classic problem with heritage buildings, everyone likes the idea of them being restored but very few people can afford to do so. So what we are left with is heritage buildings in ruin throughout the downtown with hopes that someday someone with deep pockets will sweep them up and restore them. Historic buildings are beautiful, and I agree with that they are preferable to generic new builds but unless we as a society are ready to pay for the costs of restoring them (either through taxation or only having unaffordable "luxury" condo's built on their grounds) then we have to allow for some of them to be replaced.

Crapht · #**360** Posted **Apr 21, 2019, 3:47 PM**

Effort Trust should step up and partner with the owners or the city and demolish their plaza beside the Tivoli because it's disgusting. Restore the Tivoli and build the tower beside the theatre at the corner of Wilson and Hughson. The remaining property along James From CBC to Wilson should be a public space called Tivoli Square. That's my wish for the property.