Cobalt Luxury Residences On King | 97.5 & 97.5m | 2 x 30 fl | Under Construction

[beanmedic]

As indicated by their large illuminated streetfront sign and website:

"IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT DELTA BINGO HAMILTON WILL BE CLOSING ITS DOORS ON SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH AFTER OUR 7PM SESSION.

JOIN US FOR ONE LAST HURRAH AND A PRIZEBOARD BLOWOUT.

ALL PRIZES ARE A MUST GO AT 7PM."

http://www.mydeltabingo.com/

[coalminecanary]

This is the best news I've heard this year!

it's not april fools is it?

[davidcappi]

Please let this be real.

[ScreamingViking]

No offense to bingo or bingo players, but this is awesome news.

Who owns that building?

[davidcappi]

That is a prime location for a really nice restaurant/bar, or perhaps a new department store.

It'd be a dream if the farmers market got into that space.

[matt602]

I literally just passed the back of this place yesterday thinking "when the hell is this place going to close?" This is amazing news because there's very little chance of this property sitting vacant. I'd imagine the reason it is closing is because someone has already bought it, even.

[davidcappi]

It's probably one of the largest single spaces available downtown. It's massive inside. The interior needs a lot of work, and the outside needs a good cleaning, but it's actually a funky building. Can't wait to see what happens here.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Great news! Supermarket...stack a condo on top...that's my 2 cents.

[SteelTown]

YAY!! Off to a great start in 2014.

[king10]

good riddance

[thistleclub]

I presume that the building is owned by Cam Johnstone, president of Delta Bingo and son of the late John Johnstone -- who, with partner John Cameron, bought the building for $800,000 in 1996. The Spec offered a glimpse of five of the pair's past holdings as part of 2001's Lament for a Downtown series. They once held the Century and Odeon theatres as well as parking lots at King William & Catharine, Hughson & Wilson and MacNab & Mulberry. (All were sold at a loss in 2000-2001.)

As big and unexpected as this news is, it's interesting that most other Delta Bingo holdings have converted to electronic gaming, that GTA West Gaming Bundle RFPQ was released a little over a month ago, and that the 45 King East property was listed within it among the sites intending to participate in the OLG's Charitable Bingo & Gaming Revitalization Initiative.

Anyone taking odds on a Boardwalk Gaming angle?

[Jon Dalton]

Urban format Walmart? I'm not a fan, but that is one company that can use a large square footage and can afford the investment. I imagine it would also do well, maybe give the dollar stores a run for their money.

I'm trying to think of any other retail chain that is not going under that might do well there.

[drpgq]

They also own the parking lot behind it or rather beside it I'm pretty sure.

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

...As big and unexpected as this news is, it's interesting that most other Delta Bingo holdings have converted to electronic gaming, that GTA West Gaming Bundle RFPQ was released a little over a month ago, and that the 45 King East property was listed within it among the sites intending to participate in the OLG's Charitable Bingo & Gaming Revitalization Initiative....

I think Thistle has nailed it. What a tragedy for real downtown revitalization. And there is no way to stop this transition, I presume.

[ScreamingViking]

It would be an unfortunate wasted opportunity.

Seems kind of odd that they'd word the announcement that way though if something bigger and better was being planned.

This Paul Wilson story about Kresge's (of exactly a year ago) was noted in another thread a while back but bears a link here. It's a good read, if you haven't already seen it.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilt...dime-1.1355844

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

It would be an unfortunate wasted opportunity.

This Paul Wilson story about Kresge's (of exactly a year ago) was noted in another thread a while back but bears a link here. It's a good read, if you haven't already seen it.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilt...dime-1.1355844

Great story from Paul Wilson.

Finding new vitality for the building will come only if someone writes a massive cheque to the owners. I presume it's worth millions.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

The Spec offered a glimpse of five of the pair's past holdings as part of 2001's Lament for a Downtown series.

Damn that article was depressing.

[CaptainKirk]

Mercanti?

[Pearlstreet]

The number of times I have mumbled "When this place closes... !@#$%".

Fantastic news!

[SteelTown]

I just have this odd "be careful for what you wish for" feeling.

I can't imagine the bingo hall would just close and pack up. They must've received a conditional offer.