Hamilton City Centre | ? | 3x30 & 24 fl | Proposal - Page 9

interr0bangr · #**161** Posted **Oct 30, 2019, 3:15 AM**

Their other projects are all ugly and generic as hell which scares me. I wish Lamb could have bought it and modernized/built on top of the existing structure.

realcity · #**162** Posted **Oct 30, 2019, 7:31 PM**

I'd be happy with some cluster like this in Pickering.

https://pickeringuniversalcitycondo....AAEgLTHvD_BwE#

with underground parking and connected podium street retail, office above and 3 or 4 32 story towers.

realcity · #**163** Posted **Oct 30, 2019, 11:50 PM**

I would take lower height limits if Thorne's plan didn't include separation by laws. There could be a nice street wall of 10-12 floors along James Street from York to Rebecca.

instead hope for at best what Pickering and other bedroom cities are doing with a cluster on a podium separated by 25 m.

LikeHamilton · #**164** Posted **Dec 23, 2019, 12:05 AM**

On December 20th, Michael Marini, City of Hamilton's Coordinator of Marketing twitter

It’s official. Deal closed! Sold to IN8 Developments.

Chronamut · #**165** Posted **Dec 24, 2019, 6:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

On December 20th, Michael Marini, City of Hamilton's Coordinator of Marketing twitter

It’s official. Deal closed! Sold to IN8 Developments.

RIP City center.

SteelTown · #**166** Posted **Dec 24, 2019, 7:13 PM**

New owner of Hamilton City Centre drawing up construction site plan for landmark
IN8 Developments took possession of the mall on Dec. 12

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9...-for-landmark/

Hamilton CIty Centre officially has a new owner.

IN8 Developments took possession of the downtown mall on Dec. 12 and is now working to formally present its construction concept for the 3.4-acre site on James Street North.

Demolition of parts of the site to make way for up to five office and condominium towers were among the early ideas discussed by IN8 president Darryl Firsten in October as the deal was coming together.

"We are diligently working toward our site plan for early in the new year," Firsten said Monday, adding that it is business as usual at the mall with Christmas shopping.

IN8 originally estimated a $700-million construction budget for the five 28-storey towers, but the wrecking ball won't be rolled out quite yet. Ahead is an expected three-year wait for a provincial environmental assessment.

Firsten said everything with the project is going as predicted — with the exception of the surprise announcement of the province curtailing its involement in the LRT.

"I am disappointed but cautiously optimistic that something will happen and there will be a silver lining," Firsten said. "I find it impossible to imagine that a city the size of Hamilton would not have a major transportation system."

With his company's background in Waterloo Region, he has seen the upheavel that LRT can bring during the construction stage but said "it is worth it in the long run."

IN8 had been searching four years for the right investment in Hamilton.

When the City Centre went up for sale last year for $60 million, "we knew we wanted to buy this place, because it required someone who could maybe see more than the mall that's here today — to see what it could be," Firsten said in October, adding that they bought building for below the listing price.

City Centre has been searching for some kind of new vision after entering the world in 1990 as a $70-million project of Cadillac Fairview with Eaton's as the anchor tenant.

The initial burst of confidence languished after Eaton's reign ended and high-end merchants, such as clothier Harry Rosen and others, retreated.

Today, over half of the retail space on upper floors of the shopping centre are leased as office space to clients such as the City of Hamilton and the corporate offices of TripCentral.ca.

lachlanholmes · #**167** Posted **Dec 25, 2019, 3:40 AM**

Dreaming big here, but it would be great to see a miniature version of 'The Well' project at Front and Spadina in Toronto. Rough Google Earth estimates show the site is just under half as big as The Well site, so it could suit a scaled-down version.

Of course it has to be noted that The Well has a major office competent - not going to happen here. However, the retail and residential concepts could be successfully transferred to this site.

Renderings for example, all sourced from the UrbanToronto database entry for The Well:

realcity · #**168** Posted **Dec 26, 2019, 4:40 PM**

beautiful

realcity · #**169** Posted **Dec 30, 2019, 2:59 AM**

surprised there's not more talk about this. people not getting their hopes up?

TheRitsman · #**170** Posted **Dec 30, 2019, 3:43 AM**

A few reasons I'm meh about this:

1) I am betting with the cancellation of LRT this will take longer than they plan at the moment. I am betting City Centre will remain the way it is though maybe as a more successful mall until at least 2030.

2) The office space section will likely be cut from the project.

3) This developer kind of sucks, their portfolio is mediocre at best.

4) There is no way this city allows this type of development downtown without a fuss.

5) This city is so disorganized, they will likely approve the demolition permit before any legitimate plans are in place.

Maybe once something actually materializes and this new owner shows that it won't be more of the same, some may get their hopes up. This city has had too much disappointment this year for me to personally get more hopes up.

King&James · #**171** Posted **Dec 30, 2019, 4:52 PM**

I am bit mixed on this one. ponying up $60MM would suggest that someone must have moderately deep pockets. Not sure deep enough to get to $700MM , that seems a bit of a stretch for Hamilton. Wonder what the cashflow looks like for $60MM of leveraged investment. Will be good to see what exactly the new vision is for the centre. Wonder if the City would ever consider selling the land under JS to spur on something joint and large.

drpgq · #**172** Posted **Dec 30, 2019, 11:11 PM**

I'm somewhat excited, although reading this in the Spec article "Ahead is an expected three-year wait for a provincial environmental assessment." not as excited. Why would a provincial environmental assessment be required? Just the raw size of the parcel?

bvbborussia · #**173** Posted **Jan 1, 2020, 5:35 PM**

For all these reasons I'd be shocked to see this come to fruition as projected. That said, it's more or less a white elephant so if it gets even a portion of the investment that's planned then it would be a step in the right direction. Anything of any large scale seems to be very hard to achieve in this city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

A few reasons I'm meh about this:

1) I am betting with the cancellation of LRT this will take longer than they plan at the moment. I am betting City Centre will remain the way it is though maybe as a more successful mall until at least 2030.

2) The office space section will likely be cut from the project.

3) This developer kind of sucks, their portfolio is mediocre at best.

4) There is no way this city allows this type of development downtown without a fuss.

5) This city is so disorganized, they will likely approve the demolition permit before any legitimate plans are in place.

Maybe once something actually materializes and this new owner shows that it won't be more of the same, some may get their hopes up. This city has had too much disappointment this year for me to personally get more hopes up.

lachlanholmes · #**174** Posted **Jan 20, 2020, 8:30 PM**

Thunder Alley went kaput:

Chronamut · #**175** Posted **Jan 23, 2020, 5:14 PM**

thunder alley was a collossal waste of space anyways.

lachlanholmes · #**176** Posted **Feb 3, 2020, 2:21 AM**

My guess for when we see real demolition/renovation/construction on this site: 5-10 years from now.

They've put up a number of signs trying to get some new leases for one. I also thought the tagline was... interesting: "Ultimate downtown location without the premiums". Their website has also been improved quite a bit.

Some pictures taken yesterday afternoon:

Chronamut · #**177** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:15 PM**

Almost feels like they need people leasing it to give them enough money to move forward..

awesome to see the old eatons center sign - brings back memories for sure

realcity · #**178** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:22 PM**

for everyone wanting Eaton Centre to be open to the street. Look at the last pic, it was always meant to have holes punched in the wall for street frontage. Just never got passed the novelty shop. And now I guesss its a cash 4 you. I count 7 other retail spots that were never reliazed. Let's hope the new plan pumps emugh excitement to get this place rented or it will be 1990 all over again.

Chronamut · #**179** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

for everyone wanting Eaton Centre to be open to the street. Look at the last pic, it was always meant to have holes punched in the wall for street frontage. Just never got passed the novelty shop. And now I guesss its a cash 4 you. I count 7 other retail spots that were never reliazed. Let's hope the new plan pumps emugh excitement to get this place rented or it will be 1990 all over again.

I have such mixed feelings about this lot - they demolished so much just to put it in and it's just been so disappointing..

realcity · #**180** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:36 PM**

it still is beautiful inside. nothing like it anywhere in Hamilton.