Chronamut
Senior Member
first one would feel like a slap in the face to the historical rape that went on here.. second one feels nice with the podium but the tower feels too bland.. and third one.. well.. kudos to being adventurous lol
- Thread starter innsertnamehere
- Start date
Stec
Active Member
Oh I agree haha. That was the first building Gemini gave me and I was like oh no no nooooo then I gave it this prompt "Please change that boring looking tall square condo and make the podium classic heritage architecture but after about the 5th floor of the podium make an ultra modern sleek visually interesting glass condo skyscraper on top make it about 70 stories high. A real signature skyscraper. Give the glass a Smokey tint." then I got the second tower with the nice podium and with what kinda looks like an office tower on top lol.
EDIT: But this is Hamilton we will probably get Tower1 or something like it or even worse there
Chronamut
Senior Member
Ironically the podium kinda looks like the proposed tower beside the connaught and I was like hmm did he just cannibalize that design? It fits though.. but yeah.. the tower needs work - something there would become the "signature" tower for the gore.
KingJames
Active Member
As long as this site remains in the hands of the current owners , the only thing that moves skyward will be weeds. Such a terrible fate to be held by land speculators. They should be taxed at a level that the site should afford. Perhaps then they would sell it to someone who will actually build.
KingJames
Active Member
Brad Carr: Canada needs more homes built now. Here's how to do it
Brad Carr: We need to become more productive. We need to do it in a way that benefits everyone. And housing must play a key part. Read more.
financialpost.com
I am sure there is a better thread to layer this into, but do think it is spot on for Hamilton's residential development woes. Slow approvals (or active/passive aggressive to almost all development), high DCs, ..... How does Calgary make approvals happen in 5 months?
innsertnamehere
Superstar
Again - by Ontario Standards downtown Hamilton buildings 30 storeys or under enjoy some of the fastest actual approval times and lowest DC charges in the province.Brad Carr: Canada needs more homes built now. Here's how to do it
Brad Carr: We need to become more productive. We need to do it in a way that benefits everyone. And housing must play a key part. Read more.
I am sure there is a better thread to layer this into, but do think it is spot on for Hamilton's residential development woes. Slow approvals (or active/passive aggressive to almost all development), high DCs, ..... How does Calgary make approvals happen in 5 months?
Corktownie
New Member
As reported by Joey Coleman, there's a new plan in the works for this site. We'll see if anything comes of it…
thepublicrecord.ca
Blanchard-led Corp. Plans Rental Tower Where Hamilton's Gore Buildings Collapsed
Pre-submission filed for 163-unit rental project; city staff reviewing incentive eligibility and zoning compliance.
thepublicrecord.ca
Chris R.
Senior Member
Nothing is going to happen here until at least the next housing boom. I'm doubtful Blanchard intends to ever develop the property. I think they want to use the valuable property as collateral for other projects while sitting and speculating on the land. These proposals are just a way to get maximum profit out of the property and maintain maximum collateral for the bank loans.As reported by Joey Coleman, there's a new plan in the works for this site. We'll see if anyting come of it…
Blanchard-led Corp. Plans Rental Tower Where Hamilton's Gore Buildings Collapsed
Pre-submission filed for 163-unit rental project; city staff reviewing incentive eligibility and zoning compliance.
Blanchard has no real experience with high density development, nor a pipeline to start it.
Until the province allows the taxing of vacant properties like this (which I'll remind everyone, we all pay for with our property taxes because of potential demand property tax efficiency) properties like this will continue to be hoarded.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
If it's worth anything there was a significant amount of interior demolition happening in the office building over the last 6 months. Every time I'd walk by on Hughson st there would be a bin in the back getting filled with material. I'm definitely skepitcal.. but this one will be a pretty compelling package as a whole I think given the incentives the city is handing out and the ability to convert an existing, highly underperforming, building.
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Chris R.
Senior Member
If anything, "Phase 1" may be completed, if only because changing use from commercial to residential means a huge reduction in property taxes.
The conversion grant is advertised as a net positive in property taxes, but I don't understand how that's possible since residential property tax is far lower than commercial.
I mean, at the end of the day, it will likely benefit downtown, as more people roaming means more business, more jobs and such, but I'm not excited as other people seem to be about changing office space to residential in Hamilton. I'd prefer to see the building filled with middle income jobs, instead.
My wife and I, and many friends struggle to find good paying jobs in Hamilton, and many friends work in Toronto and have to ensure grueling commutes as a result. Hamilton could benefit from more jobs, even if more people is also great.
Chronamut
Senior Member
Just to chomp at the bit, due to the history of this site, but what wil happen to the facade they were told to retain? Or will it somehow "conveniently" be lost? It would be extremely heartbreaking if this entire side was just boring generic glass and concrete - the bank and the 2 corner buildings are depressing enough as it is when one considers what this block used to look like, the facade should look heritage on some level.. not that I expect this ever to be built but still..
I do like the fact they are converting commercial buildings to residential - reverting the cowntown back into a liveable space
And chris times are a changing - people just can't fill office spaces anymore after everyone realized they can get all their work done from home or by traveling - the pandemic and phones changed things drastically, along with laptops and vpn.. For the place I work for the call center portion of the building is absolutely empty. Everyone works from home now. I'd rather see these buildings used then be derelict and then collapse.
I do like the fact they are converting commercial buildings to residential - reverting the cowntown back into a liveable space
And chris times are a changing - people just can't fill office spaces anymore after everyone realized they can get all their work done from home or by traveling - the pandemic and phones changed things drastically, along with laptops and vpn.. For the place I work for the call center portion of the building is absolutely empty. Everyone works from home now. I'd rather see these buildings used then be derelict and then collapse.
Chris R.
Senior Member
The article says the heritage protection is nullified.Just to chomp at the bit, due to the history of this site, but what wil happen to the facade they were told to retain? Or will it somehow "conveniently" be lost? It would be extremely heartbreaking if this entire side was just boring generic glass and concrete - the bank and the 2 corner buildings are depressing enough as it is when one considers what this block used to look like, the facade should look heritage on some level.. not that I expect this ever to be built but still..
I do like the fact they are converting commercial buildings to residential - reverting the cowntown back into a liveable space
And chris times are a changing - people just can't fill office spaces anymore after everyone realized they can get all their work done from home or by traveling - the pandemic and phones changed things drastically, along with laptops and vpn.. For the place I work for the call center portion of the building is absolutely empty. Everyone works from home now. I'd rather see these buildings used then be derelict and then collapse.
Most offices are returning. Mine is moving to 4 days per week in June, and my wife is already 4 days per week. Most offices are going back in, but Hamilton isn't attracting employers because the owners of these buildings don't care about maintaining anything.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
Office Vacancies in Hamilton are pretty high - there is still a lot of office vacancy for growing businesses.
I'm surprised to see this building be up for conversion though. It's in better shape than a lot of office properties in the downtown and has a good size floorplate.
My understanding is that Downtown Hamilton office space struggles mostly because of access.. the reality of modern businesses in the 905 is that employees come from all over and office space needs good accessibility. A lot of buildings in Downtown have no on-site parking (even a small underground garage for execs) and parking costs drive businesses away when 60-80% of employees drive in. Geographically downtown is also off the highway network and isolated from a lot of the GTA labour market. there is a reason a lot of the office jobs in the Hamilton CMA relocated to Burlington - It's a lot easier to access the GTA talent market from there.
That, and the perception of Downtown Hamilton.
I think if we could get counter-peak GO service to Hamilton Centre you would see increased interest in Downtown Hamilton as people could counter-commute more easily from Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, and Toronto.
Bubba McGuff
New Member
it works both ways. people go where the jobs are, but ALSO jobs go where the people are. I have always thought if we make the downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods a nice place to live, more people will choose to move in. employers seek out talent and will follow. it's not a silver bullet. it wont happen overnight. and it won't be a complete change. look at all the employers in downtown toronto considering how expensive and congested it is. many have returned from the suburban office parks. so yes, a corporate hq or factory attracts people, but a diverse high density population is a magnet for jobs. I would love to see the idea of "attracting employers" with incentives and giveaways relegated to the dustbin. embrace change. let go of hoping things will go back to how they were.
Corktownie
New Member
Yeah. The fact that they're spending money on interior demolition already makes me think maybe they're actually serious about building something here. Whether they're going to build something good, though, is a whole other question. And I would be astonished if "phase 2" ever materializes under Blanchard.