Hamilton Artists Inc | ? | 3 fl | Approved

SteelTown · #1 Posted **Jun 30, 2009, 11:46 PM**

SteelTown · #2 Posted **Jun 30, 2009, 11:48 PM**

The City has executed a Loan Agreement in the amount of $722,500 with HAI that will be secured by a first mortgage on the property purchased by HAI. This will ensure the City has first rights to the property should Hamilton Artists Inc. dissolve.

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...ArtistsInc.pdf

SteelTown · #3 Posted **Sep 17, 2009, 5:04 PM**

Any update? Dead?

realcity · #4 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 4:45 PM**

i hope this dies. it's a one-floor crud box. Plus I'd like to see more mix on James North, a few more galleries then some other stuff

matt602 · #5 Posted **Oct 15, 2009, 10:43 PM**

Yah, I really expected more from this group. That's hardly artistic. I'm not taking low budget as an excuse. Better things have been done with possibly smaller budgets.

realcity · #6 Posted **Oct 16, 2009, 2:00 PM**

You know what else is so embarrassing...

The Name.

We make fun of the crud names all the time on here. lack of imagination etc. Trinity Lofts, CityView Terraces, CityView Apts, James North Art People Place *whatever that new place? the name is so generic I can't remember it*, Hamilton City Centre, Downtown Transit Terminal, Bayfront Park...

HUGE lack of imagination. Then we have these guys.... hmmm. We're artists... hmmmm we're in Hamilton.... hmmm ... on paper we're a corporation .... hmmmm.... I GOT IT> HAMILTON ARTISTS INC.

I especially love the part that says "Inc." Without that it would be "Hamilton Artists"... kinda like saying "Hamilton Bowlers", "Hamilton Carpenters".

emge · #7 Posted **Oct 16, 2009, 3:22 PM**

It's strange - I have higher expectations for artists to be able to do something good, but on the other hand, when it's not a bunch of developers leveraging the system for their profit, I'm ironically also more forgiving about design and name even though artists or those making space for them should know better.

Sure, the design and name could be better (and the generic name will come back to bite them later) but I am looking forward to seeing all the glass lit up from the inside, and I think for that material I'd prefer to see an undersized than an oversized building, even though I hate the one-story aspect.

adam · #8 Posted **Oct 16, 2009, 4:44 PM**

Was the building that was demolished in its place 3 storeys?

SteelTown · #9 Posted **Oct 16, 2009, 4:47 PM**

*nods* yes

holymoly · #10 Posted **Oct 17, 2009, 3:26 AM**

I really like the name Hamilton Artists Inc. I often think that the worst names for arts-related organizations are those that try hard to sound 'artsy.'

realcity · #11 Posted **Feb 26, 2010, 8:18 PM**

This is another fine project ready to break ground

Adam here is what WAS there before INC. tore it down ... about 3 years ago

coalminecanary · #12 Posted **Feb 26, 2010, 11:14 PM**

..and here's the progress as of today:

realcity · #13 Posted **Feb 27, 2010, 3:57 PM**

just amazing.. . just bc they are 'artists' doesn't mean the get off the hook for being just as bad any 'developer', that tears down first, before having funding and planning ready to go. Violating a by-law too... call the crawl

look at their stupid vinyl banner sign... too embarrassing

coalminecanary · #14 Posted **Feb 27, 2010, 5:24 PM**

at least the billboards are gone!

realcity · #15 Posted **Feb 27, 2010, 11:19 PM**

only to be replaced with a super billboard

a la Blade Runner

matt602 · #16 Posted **Feb 28, 2010, 7:55 AM**

Oh please no.

SteelTown · #17 Posted **Feb 28, 2010, 5:20 PM**

That's not what's going to get built. That's another proposal that wasn't selected.

This is what's going to get built, which is on the first post in this thread.

thistleclub · #18 Posted **Feb 28, 2010, 5:50 PM**

Lacks style, personality and soul, but it's better than hoarding.

realcity · #19 Posted **Feb 28, 2010, 6:33 PM**

I guess you missed the humour in the Blade Runner reference. I thought i was brilliant in discovering dp.Ai's inspiration. No good architect doesn't love Blade Runner. At least that concept addressed the Canon Street frontage, punched windows in along Canon and admitted -- no -- it acted like it was corner building. It's a fortunate thing to have a building on intersecting streets, to ignore that advantage is foolish. and this new ... thing .... ignores that advantage. I'd take the super billboard proposal in a heartbeat over this. In fact if they asked me for money and told me it was between these two concepts but we can't afford dp.Ai's I'd give them money for the more inspirational design.

Have a look at this 'proposal', and what's there now.

it's not much more then a fresh coat of paint and new windows. And a dorky sign.... that looks like it will blow over in the first wind storm.

What's the total budget? $25k? and we're still treated to a hoarding wall and vinyl banner sign. give it up guys. Or is it more important to give yourself a pay increase?

realcity · #20 Posted **Feb 28, 2010, 8:03 PM**

you know what? i'm not done calling this 'variety store' design out on the carpet. Actually I've seen better looking Big Bears.

I have no idea what that ridiculous looking cap is on the roof, I suppose it's intended to give height and an attempt to keep the streetwall but it is beyond fail. If its other purpose is to be signage, then it only messages cars screeming westbound on Canon. A pedestrian walking in front or even across the small 50' width of James will not be looking that high to bother. And it ignores the up and down pedestrian traffic. "Window Shopping"... ever heard of that? I would be walking right in front of this building and going "what the heck is this place"? (maybe that's what they want)... a little secret club, with retail exposure???

This design even does a marvelous job at eliminating the traditional 'funnel' flowing design of window shoppers by enclosing and removing the outdoor foyer at the front doors. If you're going to do that, then why isn't that front door on a 45 degree angle?

I know Lintak is more capable, and they should be embarrassed by this. It would seem that they did this for free for the "Inc." and gave the job to an intern knowing that there was no money there.

Just a note to these Inc. people... if you're reading.. loose your artists' snobbery ... you haven't earned it!

If you're serious, then engage the public. Stop your little secret society. Campaign for an ambitious goal and launch a fundraising strategy.