Lime Ridge Mall

[matt602]

I guess its alright but as usual, SO much space is dedicated to pointless landscaping and parking. I realize this isn't a hugely dense, urban location but it just seems like such a waste of a huge property.

[King&James]

You think CF looking at Eastgate Square , and rethinking their densification proposal for Limeridge? Also, a long time ago, didnt CF own Eastgate (that is a lot of lift if they missed out on...if it goes through)

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

It's a very popular filipino fast food restaurant that has been entering the canadian market for a few years now. I haven't tried it, but there were line ups around the block for months when they opened their first restaurant in Scarborough a few years ago.

Actually their first location in Canada was in 2016 in Winnipeg. Scarborough came a year and a half later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_co...n,locations%20in%20the%20United%20States.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by King&James

You think CF looking at Eastgate Square , and rethinking their densification proposal for Limeridge? Also, a long time ago, didnt CF own Eastgate (that is a lot of lift if they missed out on...if it goes through)

One would think... The size of Eastgate's phase 1 proposal blows this Limeridge expansion out of the water. That said, Limeridge is in a slightly different area with less transit access, no future LRT terminus and much less existing density. I'm surprised they listed it as "Phase 1" though, as it makes it seem like bigger things are coming down the line from Limeridge. I'd be surprised if they didn't release their preliminary Phase 2 plans in the next few months in response to the plans at Eastgate to keep investors excited.

[Innsertnamehere]

Eastgate is

1. a better market location from my understanding (condos sell for more money than on the mountain as the location is closer to the GTA), and

2. has much, much, much better transit access.

Lime Ridge is relatively isolated and challenging to commute into the GTA from, and that's why it's more affordable of an area in general. There is a reason lower Stoney Creek's real estate is more expensive than the mountain.

CF is just getting into the residential intensification game, they probably liked Lime Ridge because they have as-of-right density here which can be deployed quickly and affordably. Most of their other residential intensification projects are in more "primary" markets like Toronto and Vancouver. I doubt they want to dive deep into a secondary market right away with a multi-thousand unit investment right off the bat. Best to get started with something relatively modest and test the market, and they can throw it in with some renovations to Lime Ridge which is in need of some attention. The mall does decent sales numbers but you wouldn't know it by how CF maintains it, they haven't really spent any money on the mall in over a decade.

I mean even Eastgate is clearly going to be phased over many, many years. I bet we see only one or two of the 8 proposed development blocks built by the end of the decade.

[shoelessjoe]

Eastgate really is a pure play transit-oriented community given that it will sit at the terminal station for the B Line (and be close to Confederation GO).

Indeed prior to a significant paring down of its real estate portfolio CF owned Eastgate Square and Centre Mall. It also owned/managed and co-developed (with T. Eaton Co.) the Hamilton Eaton Centre (later City Centre).

The former Bay Home Store/Home Outfitters was previously a Kmart, and prior to that was a Dominion supermarket. The current food court below it was previously a Famous Players multiplex (with its notorious staircase).

Both are excellent developments and it'll be great to see something finally happen with the long fallow Sears location at Lime Ridge.

[craftbeerdad]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Eastgate is

1. a better market location from my understanding (condos sell for more money than on the mountain as the location is closer to the GTA), and

2. has much, much, much better transit access.

Lime Ridge is relatively isolated and challenging to commute into the GTA from, and that's why it's more affordable of an area in general. There is a reason lower Stoney Creek's real estate is more expensive than the mountain.

CF is just getting into the residential intensification game, they probably liked Lime Ridge because they have as-of-right density here which can be deployed quickly and affordably. Most of their other residential intensification projects are in more "primary" markets like Toronto and Vancouver. I doubt they want to dive deep into a secondary market right away with a multi-thousand unit investment right off the bat. Best to get started with something relatively modest and test the market, and they can throw it in with some renovations to Lime Ridge which is in need of some attention. The mall does decent sales numbers but you wouldn't know it by how CF maintains it, they haven't really spent any money on the mall in over a decade.

I mean even Eastgate is clearly going to be phased over many, many years. I bet we see only one or two of the 8 proposed development blocks built by the end of the decade.

CF's not renovating Lime Ridge they're demolishing it and building a whole new smaller mall (by 50,000 sqft). So they won't be deploying any capital on the existing building.

If people remember just a year or two ago wasn't the city talking about investing at Lime Ridge, making a bigger transit hub on the mountain? While that's not the same as EastGate and the terminal LRT station from a demand perspective for travel, it will attract Hamiltonians that don't want to live downtown and like suburby comforts of the mountain with an urban feel. Yes it's a paradox but then again this city is a riddle unto itself.

[Innsertnamehere]

This proposal includes a new food court for the mall which is definitely an investment, and will finally address the massive vacancy on the south side of the mall which has been sitting for years. It isn't necessarily renovating the centre of the mall, but it still represents a significant investment in the mall.

Interestingly, the money for the bus terminal comes from Metrolinx's 2008 "quick wins" program (quick! ha!). That money was intended to be used for quick transit projects that can provide results in transit services for the time before the big transit investments ramped up in the GTA.

Of course Hamilton has failed to spend, 14 years later! Halton Region also never spent theirs, and are now building a new road bridge with it of course.. not even transit related.

[shoelessjoe]

The only demolition occurring at Lime Ridge is to the former Sears location -- which will be replaced by a building approximately 50,000 sq ft smaller than the existing Sears building, which will include, among other things, the new "food hall" -- it seems likely the remainder of the building will receive a refresh of some sort (it's due).

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by shoelessjoe

The only demolition occurring at Lime Ridge is to the former Sears location -- which will be replaced by a building approximately 50,000 sq ft smaller than the existing Sears building, which will include, among other things, the new "food hall" -- it seems likely the remainder of the building will receive a refresh of some sort (it's due).

Yes this is shown as "Phase 1". We can only speculate on what the next phase(s) are going to be.

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by matt602

I guess its alright but as usual, SO much space is dedicated to pointless landscaping and parking. I realize this isn't a hugely dense, urban location but it just seems like such a waste of a huge property.

I love lots of quieting, nice to look at and relax at landscaping. Limeridge needs a lot of parking.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

I love lots of quieting, nice to look at and relax at landscaping. Limeridge needs a lot of parking.

It doesn't need as much as it has. The parking lot is never more than 60% full. I even went on the busiest shopping day and it wasn't close to full. Too much parking means wasted residential space, wasted property tax potential, and just generally bad for the environment because of storm water runoff and car incentives.

Too much landscaping can also reduce walkability. Something like James St N is perfect amount of landscaping for an urban space, with a park nearby there is no need for every single trip to be through a park of landscaping space adding 20%-50% to every walking or biking trip.

[RaginRonic]

My guess about Lime Ridge Mall is this...

...the reason why the Sears building will be coming down, and the new portion build in it's place, will be the eventual elimination of the back of the mall, where the current food court and businesses like Sunrise Records are currently.

Those businesses will likely all move, en masse, to the new building. Then the vacated space will be closed to the public and demolished.

Probability of parking replacing the eliminated back wing would be high then.

o.o

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

My guess about Lime Ridge Mall is this...

...the reason why the Sears building will be coming down, and the new portion build in it's place, will be the eventual elimination of the back of the mall, where the current food court and businesses like Sunrise Records are currently.

Those businesses will likely all move, en masse, to the new building. Then the vacated space will be closed to the public and demolished.

Probability of parking replacing the eliminated back wing would be high then.

o.o

I could see that, with more development along the Upper Wentworth side.

The Bay probably won't be around at some point in the not-too-distant future too. The south end of the mall and lot will probably get redeveloped if/when that happens.

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

I could see that, with more development along the Upper Wentworth side.

The Bay probably won't be around at some point in the not-too-distant future too. The south end of the mall and lot will probably get redeveloped if/when that happens.

I think though that the transit terminal should be located closer to the redeveloped wing of the mall. Have it be closer to Fortinos for grocery shoppers too.

X-)

[NortheastWind]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

I love lots of quieting, nice to look at and relax at landscaping. Limeridge needs a lot of parking.

At one time, each year during the Christmas shopping season, Limeridge Mall's parking lot would be overflowing, with people parking on the grassy areas. But I don't foresee that happening any more with the availability and popularity of online shopping.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

I think though that the transit terminal should be located closer to the redeveloped wing of the mall. Have it be closer to Fortinos for grocery shoppers too.

Definitely. The fact you have to cross the parking lot to get to the mall has always bothered me, despite the fairly short distance and walkway. Ideally they should stop at the mall curb near entry point(s), with awnings to provide some weather protection.

Do any buses even go up Mall Rd. at present? There are no stops that I can see on Street View.

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Definitely. The fact you have to cross the parking lot to get to the mall has always bothered me, despite the fairly short distance and walkway. Ideally they should stop at the mall curb near entry point(s), with awnings to provide some weather protection.

Do any buses even go up Mall Rd. at present? There are no stops that I can see on Street View.

No...no route goes along Mall Road at all.

[Innsertnamehere]

Site Plan filed for the new apartment buildings:

DA-22-164

Site Plan

To construct two 13 storey multiple dwellings with 298 residential units and below grade parking consisting of 179 parking spaces for retail tenant and 175 residential parking spaces. Includes redevelopment of a portion of the existing retail space.999 UPPER WENTWORTH ST

[SFUVancouver]

^ I missed this news. That's good news that CF has filed for site plan with Phase 1 of the Lime Ridge Mall redevelopment. It isn't a terribly exciting start to the project, all things considered, but I think that subsequent phases will be substantially larger in scale and ambition. The 13-storey buildings will help transition height and massnig from existing developments to the north with what can be realized further to the south on the interior of the site.