Downtown Update

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by interr0bangr

Scaffolding is down on the old "Greek Palace" building on John. Replaced all the bricks with concrete blocks.

I wonder if the bricks were stripped to repair the block wall beneath or because they weren't in good shape, and they will now be replaced?

Still lots of work to be done with window sills and trim and such.

And that building just south of this one -- where the Golden Fortune Restaurant used to be -- REALLY needs some love.

[Innsertnamehere]

The lack of windows makes me think it's not.

I suspect they'll stucco over the blocks, unfortunately. So it'll get better, but not by much.

I hate Hamilton's obsession with Stucco. For some reason all of the newer suburban houses in this city always *have* to have these random applications of it on key elevations.. like, why? I've seen houses put more expensive brick on the sidewalls of houses with stucco on the front elevation.. like why spend more money on the side elevations and cheap out on the front.. It's clearly an aesthetic choice, not a cost measure... Burn it with fire.

[johnnyhamont]

Originally Posted by interr0bangr

Scaffolding is down on the old "Greek Palace" building on John. Replaced all the bricks with concrete blocks.

This is turning out to be a great heritage restoration project! They've really brought back the feel that the old buildings along this street used to capture back in the 1990's.

Reminds me of the old satirical conflict when Master Sub was required to board up its windows to fit in with the character of its neighbourhood.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

I suspect they'll stucco over the blocks, unfortunately. So it'll get better, but not by much.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by johnnyhamont

This is turning out to be a great heritage restoration project! They've really brought back the feel that the old buildings along this street used to capture back in the 1990's.

The west side looks great... basically from 15 John N to Rebecca (and will be especially so once the restoration of 31 at the corner of KW is done). Treble Hall is the only thing I like about the east so far; I dislike the paneling on the first floor of the Pizza Pizza/former Pagoda though the upper two floors are "clean", if unremarkable. So I have hopes this helps that side of the street!

[lachlanholmes]

It could become a nice little stretch, but man, the buildings both to the north and south are awful eyesores at the moment...

[Chronamut]

They should just rebuild the opera house behind it..

When I talked to the people at Capri they said that the whole building was in danger of collapsing - so that is probably why they did what they did. But yeah that whole area from the treble hall north needs some serious work done - and that weird stone finish stripped off the one- it just makes it look.. gungy..

and least they took the horribly rusted fire escape stairs off..

[StEC]

It's a shame these 4 decrepit buildings could not have been in the hands of one developer to get them all fixed at once in a cohesive look to fit the style of Trebel Hall or compliment it. Could be our own little European street like Front Street East in Toronto.... a short one but one nonetheless lol.

[SteelTown]

Calling Core Urban! Fix this.

[ScreamingViking]

We'll probably see the one with the closed Chinese restaurant get renovated at some point. The one with the addiction clinic... who knows.

It's a shame what was done with the one on the SE corner of King William.

[Crapht]

Was the Golden Fortune a music store in the 80s-90s? Or was is this one?

[ScreamingViking]

Musical instruments? I seem to recall one on that block, but wasn't it in Treble Hall?

If you're referring to record/CD stores, I only recall the ones on King (e.g., Cheapies and Music World)

That Golden Fortune sign looks like it's from the 1960s or 70s though. I can't remember when it closed.

[Crapht]

Cheapies was at King and John where the Pizza Pizza is and Record World was beside that. But I thought the musical instrument store was at that Golden Fortune location and another across the street maybe where BikeHounds is. I can’t remember.
From that photo it looks like the block is just structural and a facade would go over it. Who knows? Could be brick or metal or some interesting panel system. Please not stucco please not stucco. Fingers crossed.

[hongo]

Reggie's was the music store across the street for years. It was always a busy hub full of teens playing Smoke on the Water.

[interr0bangr]

There's a restaurant opening on the corner of John/King William. Can see inside occasionally when the shudders are up. Layout is weird though. No idea what it's called although there's a big (metal box style) pizza oven in there.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Crapht

Cheapies was at King and John where the Pizza Pizza is and Record World was beside that. But I thought the musical instrument store was at that Golden Fortune location and another across the street maybe where BikeHounds is. I can’t remember.
From that photo it looks like the block is just structural and a facade would go over it. Who knows? Could be brick or metal or some interesting panel system. Please not stucco please not stucco. Fingers crossed.

Cheapies (which just closed 2 years ago) was mid-block as long as I can remember, but this article notes King and John... I guess it moved before I first shopped there. So that would put Record World where the newer Gore Building is.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/cheapies-records-closing-1.5457673






I think this discussion has happened before.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Calling Core Urban! Fix this.

Haha I was JUST thinking this - you know we could be onto something here- we should send recommendations to core urban of buildings to do next - it might be beneficial to all involved

And yeah king william and john is where the olld windsor hotel was - I agree its an odd mishmash - it's like yes they restored the bottom part, but now the REST of it needs to be restored badly - also those weird black and white pediment.. fillers above are simply replacements for the beautiful original detailed pediments that were once there - that building used to be quite beautiful back in the day.. waaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day - it's been ugly for quite some time haha..

[Innsertnamehere]

https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2022-03-08/drp-agenda-mar-10-2022.pdf

Agenda for March 10 DRP is posted. Will be covering 200 Centennial Parkway, which we have already seen, 433 King St E, which appears to be new, and a mid-rise site at 2157 Rymal Road which is in the City's development application mapping but I don't believe we have seen renderings of.

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

Ooooooo, the King St. site is that vacant house across from St. Patrick's - good place for infill. Like the St. Claire building next door.

[urban_planner]

Originally Posted by HamiltonBoyInToronto

A couple of thoughts

1. Landmark place has installed a single row of Christmas lights at the top of their building and even though it's simple (half assed lol) and uninspired it draws your eyes upwards and let's you imagine what could be if other buildings were properly lit up at night in downtown Hamilton

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think LIUNA's new building at 34 James will be Hamilton's first all glass curtain wall condo tower ... it will be nice to see finally....without at the horrible faux brick and stucco painted panels

Not sure anyone really cares but apparently the lights are permanently on. As of last weekend they were still on at night. They do look decent in my opinion.