[Dundas] Millworks Historic District | ? | 2 fl | Proposed

[thomax]

@forgeandfoster - We're excited for you to see the plans have in store at historic 64 Hatt Street in Dundas #HamOnt https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7392277-dundas-historic-valley-city-property-sold/…

Dundas' historic Valley City property sold

Forge and Foster to reuse existing space for offices, restaurants

By Craig Campbell | June 26, 2017

The former Valley City Manufacturing site at 64 Hatt St. will be revitalized as a commercial and office space featuring restaurants along the street, after the Crockford family sold the site this month to Forge and Foster.

Joe Accardi of Forge and Foster, which renovated the former Spectator building at 115 King St. E and owns the former Ball manufacturing plant at 391 Victoria Ave. N., paid $4.1 million to Bob Crockford on June 15 to add the 75,000-plus square foot sprawling Dundas site to his portfolio.

Former Dundas resident Ben Ames, who will manage the former Valley City site, said there are no plans to knock down any buildings, add new buildings or pursue multi-residential development.

“We love our old brick and beam buildings,” Ames said.

Existing tenants are expected to remain, with more creative businesses likely on the way, as well as potential restaurants in the new owner’s Honest Foods portfolio, which already includes The Beverly on Locke Street and The Black Forest Inn, among others.

“There is so much space there, we didn’t want anyone to leave unnecessarily,” Ames said.

Crockford said he, his brother Stephen and sister Judy always hoped to see the building adaptively reused — and not flattened.

“They made an effort to let tenants know they wanted them to stay,” he said. “They wanted to keep it as it is, renovate and expand the number of tenants. That pleased me.

“They were satisfied it was a good building and we were satisfied they were a thoughtful owner that will do good things for the town.”

Since closing the manufacturing business about five years ago, Crockford said he had talked to potential buyers who were keen on demolishing much of the historic structure and pursuing highrise residential.

“We didn’t want to have to avert our eyes when we drive by it,” Crockford said.

Ames said Forge and Foster plans to finalize a temporary rezoning permitting a variety of existing uses, then later get a permanent rezoning that will also permit higher-end retail and restaurants along Hatt Street with more open-concept office space throughout the structure.

He said the new owners will take inspiration from the renovation of the former Valley City warehouse across the street into a craft brewery.

[thomax]

Millworks Historic District Rendering by Joe, on Flickr

Larger size:

Millworks Historic District Rendering by Joe, on Flickr

[LikeHamilton]

Dundas's former Valley City repair work underway

Voluntary compliance date is August 1

Jul 06, 2020 by Craig Campbell Dundas Star News

Forge & Foster is continuing repairs and painting of the former Valley City Manufacturing building at 64 Hatt St. in Dundas.

Joe Accardi, chief executive of Forge & Foster — which bought the historic but undesignated property from the Crockford family in June 2017 — said facade painting that began in May is ongoing.

“We’re looking to add signage soon and clean up a little more,” Accardi said.

The property is tentatively scheduled for heritage designation review in 2025. City of Hamilton heritage planning staff have a growing backlog.

In the meantime, there are no restrictions on painting or other alterations to the building despite heritage concerns about negative impacts of painting brick.

“There’s not too much we can do at this time,” city heritage planner Miranda Brunton told the Hamilton Municipal Heritage committee during its virtual meeting on Friday, July 3.

Committee member Karen Burke brought photographs of the 64 Hatt St. changes to the group’s attention.

“I wanted the committee just to see what happened,” Burke said. “I don’t really agree with white paint on the façade.”

She said she wasn’t aware of any significant investments being made into the buildings on site, and while she is not concerned the building will be demolished, she suggested it does appear to be falling into disrepair.

In late May, the city’s bylaw enforcement department requested roof, window and brick repairs be completed by August 1, at which time charges could be laid.

City of Hamilton manager of licensing Monica Ciriello said July 6 there was no update on the work. Ciriello said an inspector will visit the site before the August 1 voluntary compliance date.

“They wanted roof (and) mason work updated,” Accardi said. “(It) already was part of our scope anyway. Mason work is done. Roof is next.”

Accardi said ongoing efforts to bring in new tenants has been slow, particularly during the pandemic of the last few months. Expected use of the property for film productions has also been a challenge.

“I hope commercial and film industries can recover soon,” Accardi said.

The former Valley City property was a filming location last summer for television miniseries Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam CJ Walker, starring Octavia Spencer.

by Craig Campbell

https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-st...work-underway/

[Dr Awesomesauce]

I've always admired those buildings. Hatt Street in general is a gem.