Ambassador Heights | 34m | 11 Stories | Approved

[drpgq]

This is great news. I live a few buildings down the street and this building was certainly an eyesore.


Unsafe building torn down

Condos to replace Ambassador Heights, evacuated in 2007
February 11, 2010
Mark McNeil
The Hamilton Spectator
(Feb 11, 2010)

Demolition crews are tearing down the Ambassador Heights building on St. Joseph's Drive, the final chapter in a three-year saga of crumbling concrete and unpaid taxes.

Last fall, the city put the building up for sale because it was in tax arrears. It ended up in the hands of highrise developer Molinaro Group Inc.

The company plans to build a nine-storey condominium on the property after the demolition is completed next week.

"I'm delighted because there is a (new) building going in," said Councillor Bob Bratina, whose ward includes the building. "We are getting rid of a dangerous structure that is in place that has no future."

Molinaro Group spokesperson Vince Molinaro provided few details of the company's plans. But he said he hopes the building will open by the spring of 2011.

Molinaro said his company has a long history in Hamilton but in recent years has concentrated on highrise projects in Burlington.

"We thought it was a good opportunity to come back to Hamilton to do something exciting. We're hoping to use this as a catalyst for more projects in the city."

The problems at Ambassador Heights began in the spring of 2007 when a retaining wall failed at the four-storey, 15-unit building. It forced the hurried evacuation of the building's tenants, who were not officially allowed to return for their belongings until weeks later. The city declared the building unsafe and it's been empty since.

John Spolnik, director of Hamilton's building services division, said dealing with the situation was made more complicated after its owner died and the building became part of his estate.

It later came out that more than $154,000 in municipal taxes were owed going back to 2005. This set the stage for the city listing the building for sale.

mmcneil@thespec.com

905-526-4687

[urban_planner]

I checked out the companies website and the developments they have done have looked pretty decent.

I do have some excitement for this project. If it does become a nice development it will be a shame that it will be hidden behind other higher apartments.

Oh well lets hope this all goes well and leads to more developments from these guys.

[SteelTown]

It's great to see the Molinaro Group get into residential development in Hamilton. Think they have their office in Hamilton.

[realcity]

Spring of 2011..... nice... that's lightening speed in Hamilton


How tall was the old building?

[drpgq]

I'm pretty sure it was four stories.

[urban_planner]

hope to see a rendring soon. They must have some idea of there plans since they want it done in just over a year. I would expect things to move quick.

[drpgq]

Demoing well underway as of this afternoon.

[SteelTown]

Bigger apartment building planned for Ambassador Heights site

July 20, 2010
Steve Buist
Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/811215

An 11-storey apartment building is set to rise on the site where a smaller building nearly fell three years ago.

The Molinaro Group, specialists in highrise condominium buildings, has completed an application with the City of Hamilton for zoning approval to build a 70-unit building at 121 St. Joseph’s Dr., site of the former Ambassador Heights.

In April 2007, a retaining wall along a sharp slope behind the Ambassador Heights failed, forcing the permanent evacuation of tenants. The building near St. Joseph’s Hospital remained empty, then was ultimately declared unsafe, sold for tax arrears for just over $200,000, and torn down.

In place of the four-storey, 15-unit demolished building, the Molinaro Group is proposing an 11-storey building that will be registered as a condominium but retained as a rental building, providing a net increase of 55 rental units in the lower central city.

There will also be a new three-storey underground parking garage for residents, a party room with a common terrace and a workout facility.

“We saw an opportunity,” said Vince Molinaro, president of the Molinaro Group. “Obviously, it’s a decent location and we love the area.”

[SteelTown]

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/811394

[block43]

Too bad it isn't a little more architecturally exciting. That said, I hope it goes well and they pursue other opportunities downtown.

[matt602]

Yah, it's pretty commie block looking, unfortunately. Definitely not an inspired design.

[drpgq]

Does anyone know what was the last new (not reno) apartment building/condo in Ward 2?

[SteelTown]

Probably 87 King St East?

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Probably 87 King St East?

That's probably right. I had forgotten about that.

I guess I could amend my query and ask when the last private sector one was. That's more where I was going.

[SteelTown]

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...1_PED11046.pdf

[Dr Awesomesauce]

I guess it's asking too much for a sleek, glass building to go up in that spot. Oh well, concrete's always been the material of choice in Hamilton and that ain't gonna change any time soon.