18-30 King St East | 106.9m | 32 fl | Proposed - Page 26

Jon Dalton · #**501** Posted **Jan 26, 2016, 9:07 PM**

Do architects and engineers determine whether a building has historical value? I thought the heritage committee did that.

SteelTown · #**502** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 5:09 PM**

From council meeting today

https://twitter.com/SamCraggsCBC?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Lawyer Tim Bulloch & David Blanchard speaking. They plan apts & retail, 30 ft deep, 5 stories, 20k sq ft in the Gore

This presentation is for "Gore Park Apartments." They're ready to apply for site plan approval & a demolition permit. Want to start this yr

Sounds like the facades of 18-22 would be saved. 24 King has no heritage features left, Blanchard said, & 28 King is too unstable

LikeHamilton · #**503** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 5:36 PM**

So where is the high rise?

Hawrylyshyn · #**504** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 5:57 PM**

Disappointing. If they're going to sacrifice the old buildings at least make it worth while with something tall...

SteelTown · #**505** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 6:06 PM**

Wilson Blanchard plans apartments and retail for vacant Gore buildings
The buildings have sat empty since 2013, when there was outcry over their potential demolition

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilt...ings-1.3523314

A downtown developer has unveiled plans for a critical row of historic buildings in the heart of Hamilton's downtown that have sat vacant for more than two years.

The company, Wilson Blanchard, is proposing to build Gore Park Apartments, a five-storey building with 14 units in the row of boarded-up buildings in the Gore, which run from 18 to 28 King St. E.

Architect David Premi and lawyer Tim Bullock, representing the developer, told city councillors on Wednesday that the plan includes maintaining the facades of 18 to 22 King St. E., and having more than 3,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor.

The remaining facades, and the back ends of the buildings, would be demolished.

There was community outcry in 2013 when Blanchard bought the buildings and obtained a pair of permits to demolish them.

It's the first formally presented plan for the buildings since then.

City councillors negotiated with Wilson Blanchard and pre-approved $1.1 million in development grants if the developer was willing to designate them as heritage.

During a dramatic city council meeting that December, the city moved to designate the buildings as heritage to prevent their demolition. Wilson Blanchard is appealing that.

City staff will come back to the general issues committee in a month with a report on the plan. The company hopes to apply for site plan approval as soon as possible, and to start work this year.

Jason Farr, the Ward 2 councillor who prompted the last-minute heritage designation attempt, says he feels the two sides have a workable plan that maintains the heritage feel of the Gore.

Bullock said the company still hasn't determined whether the units will be condos or rental units.

matt602 · #**506** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 6:18 PM**

If the new build ends up looking like what the Templar Flats on King William are shaping up like, I could get behind it. The lack of height is a bit disappointing but if it has a quality look to it that respects the heritage of it's neighbors, I think it'll add to Gore Park. At this point given how long the buildings have deteriorated and how much back and forth has gone on with the developers and the city, I think this is the best we can hope for...

thomax · #**507** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 7:26 PM**

Here's a bigger rendering...

source

The taller residential tower was originally proposed for the Main Street side of the property, I wonder if it will still be built as a future phase?

king10 · #**508** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 7:37 PM**

better than what it has been in the past couple of years.

get it done. need more people of decent income living and frequenting Gore Park.

movingtohamilton · #**509** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by king10

...

get it done. need more people of decent income living and frequenting Gore Park.

^ this.

Beedok · #**510** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 10:12 PM**

I'm still a bit suspicious of him, but this seems somewhat reasonable. Hope the taller Main St. ideas can still happen.

CaptainKirk · #**511** Posted **Apr 6, 2016, 11:37 PM**

meh.

Disappointing for such a high profile site.

davidcappi · #**512** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 1:44 AM**

I actually really like this design; I hope this happens.

The Gore · #**513** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 2:19 AM**

blah
don't hate it, certainly don't love it

lucasmascotto · #**514** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 3:12 AM**

It's got a bit of a Yorkville vibe - I dig it.

BaconPoutine · #**515** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 4:38 AM**

I think it's a very suitable proposal. Much better than some tower sticking up from among the historic buildings.

CaptainKirk · #**516** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 4:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaconPoutine

I think it's a very suitable proposal. Much better than some tower sticking up from among the historic buildings.

Once these buildings come down, there won;t be any historic buildings on the block along that side of King St. It'll be modern buildings only.

BaconPoutine · #**517** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainKirk

Once these buildings come down, there won;t be any historic buildings on the block along that side of King St. It'll be modern buildings only.

With preserved facades on a portion. "the plan includes maintaining the facades of 18 to 22 King St. E." That's more in line with the character of the park than a high rise, in my opinion.

bigguy1231 · #**518** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 6:45 AM**

Totally unimpressed. What a waste of space in the centre of the core. A five story apartment building in the main intersection of the downtown. Only in Hamilton, would such a uninspired piece of real estate be acceptable.

king10 · #**519** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 1:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

Totally unimpressed. What a waste of space in the centre of the core. A five story apartment building in the main intersection of the downtown. Only in Hamilton, would such a uninspired piece of real estate be acceptable.

you'd be surprised how uninspiring some pieces real estate are in just about every other city in the country.

this "main intersection" of downtown has a mix of medium rise and low rise buildings. why would we stick a 30 story tower there to stand out like a sore thumb.

seems like whatever happens people are never happy.

"why isn't this a big tower for a major intersection"

"why is this a big tower that sticks out like a sore thumb and ruins the character of the street"

"why does this big/small building look like shit"

I guess the alternative would be better... an abandoned building crumbing to the ground in the core

Jon D · #**520** Posted **Apr 7, 2016, 1:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

Totally unimpressed. What a waste of space in the centre of the core. A five story apartment building in the main intersection of the downtown. Only in Hamilton, would such a uninspired piece of real estate be acceptable.

Gore park really reminds me of the triangular slice of park along Front street in Toronto near Church. That could be considered "the centre of the core" or pretty close to it, and it's surrounded by historic 4 to 5 story buildings not skyscrapers. The taller towers are set back behind the low rises. Looks great and doesn't completely block out the sun.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.64824...2!8i6656?hl=en