The Empire Building | ? | 4 fl | Complete - Page 4

LikeHamilton · #61 Posted **Jan 29, 2015, 10:43 PM**

FirstOntario is last tenant at Empire Times

Hamilton Spectator By Amy Kenny 29 January 2015

With the announcement of its most recent tenant, the Empire Times building is full.

On Wednesday, FirstOntario Credit Union revealed it will open a business centre by the end of February in the renovated King William Street building, erected in the 1890s.

Dave Schurman, chief operating officer and executive vice-president for FirstOntario, says the centre will be a place for small businesses and entrepreneurs to meet, network and conduct business. A staff of 12, including eight new hires, will work from the office.

It's the credit union's second downtown location. In 2011, they opened their doors at 1 James St. S., which had been vacated by Laurentian Bank.

"We made a statement then that we believed in downtown Hamilton and we put our money where our mouths were," says Schurman.

"Hamilton is a shining example of what's really happening in Canada. Small business is really creating most of the jobs that are being created in Canada."

Schurman says FirstOntario has known for a while now that they wanted an additional downtown presence. It was just a matter of finding the perfect location.

He says the look of Empire Times was part of its appeal — the retro, historic feel of the space makes it less intimidating for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

"It's not a stiff-shirt-and-collar kind walking into an ivory tower thing," Schurman says.

Developer Steve Kulakowsky, whose company Core Urban Inc. renovated the four-storey building, says he thinks the decision is a great indicator of downtown momentum.

"It's a unique space that traditionally wouldn't be for a bank but like their messaging says, they're not a regular bank," Kulakowsky says.

He thinks it sends a great message about the number of people who want to live, work, shop and dine in the core.

FirstOntario will join other Empire Times tenants, including the Factor[e] design initiative and The Studio at 41 collaborative professional workspaces.

akenny@thespec.com

905-526-2487 | @Amyatthespec

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/52...-empire-times/

SteelTown · #62 Posted **Jan 29, 2015, 10:50 PM**

Fantastic!!!

urban_planner · #63 Posted **Jan 29, 2015, 11:47 PM**

if First Ontario really believed in Downtown they would have moved there offices downtown instead of along the QEW in Stoney Creek. I guess its still a positive.

thomax · #64 Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 2:34 AM**

FirstOntario posted a picture on their twitter showing the new sign on the building...

Quote:

"New FirstOntario Business Centre on King William shows its Commitment to #HamOnt Renaissance." - @FirstOntarioCU

Source

Larger Size:

king10 · #65 Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 3:14 AM**

Looks good.

The Gore · #66 Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 3:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban_planner

if First Ontario really believed in Downtown they would have moved there offices downtown instead of along the QEW in Stoney Creek. I guess its still a positive.

I worked in Finance most my life and suspect that First Ont re-located to the QEW primarily for visibility. Credit Union membership in Ontario is about 12% vs 41-50% throughout other parts of the country. Glad they're in Stoney Creek vs Oakville or Burlington.

I think First Ontario's downtown support is tremendous. Main branch at the corner of King and James, naming rights to Copps and this most recent news.

I worked for CT years ago when they pulled their mtg admin/trust/commercial operations out of Hamilton (King and Hughson and old Canada Pern Building - James St) to Waterloo and Toronto.

Glad that First Ontario has retained its head office and operations in Hamilton.

Jon Dalton · #67 Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 7:45 PM**

It seems this downtown focus only started a few years ago - before 1 James they didn't have anything downtown. Maybe they will eventually move their head office into the Stelco tower. They can maintain a branch office in Stoney Creek if they need highway visibility.

davidcappi · #68 Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 1:58 AM**

Is Chuck's still opening in this location?

matt602 · #69 Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 9:15 PM**

I've been wondering the same. Haven't heard anything about it in a long time.

urban_planner · #70 Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 11:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gore

I worked in Finance most my life and suspect that First Ont re-located to the QEW primarily for visibility. Credit Union membership in Ontario is about 12% vs 41-50% throughout other parts of the country. Glad they're in Stoney Creek vs Oakville or Burlington.

I think First Ontario's downtown support is tremendous. Main branch at the corner of King and James, naming rights to Copps and this most recent news.

I worked for CT years ago when they pulled their mtg admin/trust/commercial operations out of Hamilton (King and Hughson and old Canada Pern Building - James St) to Waterloo and Toronto.

Glad that First Ontario has retained its head office and operations in Hamilton.

Its kind of ironic if it was for visibility reasons as prior to that they were in about the worst place for visibility. anyway as I said at least they do have some presence downtown. Head office would have made a much larger statement.

davidcappi · #71 Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 6:37 AM**

They should move into the Stelco Tower.

charles_316 · #72 Posted **Feb 2, 2015, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidcappi

Is Chuck's still opening in this location?

I was at Empire Times the other day and one of the tenants mentioned Chuck's is still opening on the 1st floor of this building.

Dwils01 · #73 Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 3:51 AM**

The Empire Building

Picture by me.

Dr Awesomesauce · #74 Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 12:30 AM**

^Nice shot!

davidcappi · #75 Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 5:09 PM**

Some retail renovations coming for a new restaurant.

"Minor site plan - glazing, historic bollards, canopy, bi-folding doors, juliet balconies. Favourite part of project!"

From Jason Cassis on Twitter

Dr Awesomesauce · #76 Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 6:22 PM**

Cool. Didn't know they owned it.

Chronamut · #77 Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 6:29 PM**

hmm a bit sad they'll be eliminating the awnings, but any sort of upkeep on the building is good

wonder what the fate of this building will be..

get rid of the prison bar railings in front of the sliding garage door and modernize that dated looking front entrance

I do believe the time has come to restore a lot of grandeur to hamilton

also can anyone find a pic of this building in the archives? King william st is very elusive when it comes to trying to find old school pics.. I am curious as to what it used to look like in its prime..

I only found.. PART of it.. lol..

davidcappi · #78 Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Cool. Didn't know they owned it.

@DrAwesomesause Core still owns it Cassis is just leasing it & sprucing up the ground floor. Not sure if Curry Palace will be staying or going though.

Quote:

wonder what the fate of this building will be..

get rid of the prison bar railings in front of the sliding garage door and modernize that dated looking front entrance

I do believe the time has come to restore a lot of grandeur to hamilton

also can anyone find a pic of this building in the archives? King william st is very elusive when it comes to trying to find old school pics.. I am curious as to what it used to look like in its prime..

I only found.. PART of it.. lol..

didn't you just make a new thread for these kinds of posts to keep threads from going off track? Those buildings aren't part of the Empire Times property.

The Gore · #79 Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 11:30 PM**

sharp! -nice renovations

LikeHamilton · #80 Posted **Jul 19, 2017, 3:07 AM**

Cassis has taken over the Baltimore House and is renovating just that. Any other renovations are by the building own.