[Jon Dalton]

Love it or hate it, it's freaking TALL, and that's why I need to get on the roof tomorrow for photos. Does anyone know what the policies are for that building, or how one might pull some strings to obtain permission? I know Harry Stinson got up there recently.

[raisethehammer]

I walked in the back door once when someone was taking out the garbage. I followed him in and zipped up to the top on the elevator.
That was over 5 years ago though...not sure now that the upper floors are occupied.
the view is awesome...it's taller than the escarpment.

[matt602]

There's no public access, unfortunately. There is an abandoned observation deck which is locked. You'd have to contact the building owners to get any kind of legal access.

[geoff's two cents]

Yes, isn't that a shame? You'd think the city would be eager to showcase the beautiful views from such a height. I was fifteen floors up in the CIBC building at on King a month ago, and the view of the bay was stunning. Imagine the view from 43 storeys - Somebody should really be cashing in on that. . .

[omro]

Yes, isn't that a shame? You'd think the city would be eager to showcase the beautiful views from such a height. I was fifteen floors up in the CIBC building at on King a month ago, and the view of the bay was stunning. Imagine the view from 43 storeys - Somebody should really be cashing in on that. . .

Indeed, most cities have an observation deck as a tourist attraction

[BCTed]

Love it or hate it, it's freaking TALL, and that's why I need to get on the roof tomorrow for photos. Does anyone know what the policies are for that building, or how one might pull some strings to obtain permission? I know Harry Stinson got up there recently.

Hmmmm.... well, if they let him up there, then you should have no problem!

[flar]

A lot of these buildings don't allow pictures. The views are the exclusive right of those who rent space in the building. Plus if your pictures were for commercial use, they would want a piece of that to.

[raisethehammer]

I think the original plan for this building was for a rooftop restaurant. Too bad they don't go for it now.

[Jon Dalton]

I walked in the back door once when someone was taking out the garbage. I followed him in and zipped up to the top on the elevator.
That was over 5 years ago though...not sure now that the upper floors are occupied.
the view is awesome...it's taller than the escarpment.

Where did you manage to get the view from? Did you get on the roof? I'd imagine the roof access is locked. If we get denied, we'll just go down the street and call on Harry.

[Jon Dalton]

A lot of these buildings don't allow pictures. The views are the exclusive right of those who rent space in the building. Plus if your pictures were for commercial use, they would want a piece of that to.

How incredibly lame. What would they have to gain by denying pictures? Paris' Tour Montparnasse has a photo contest to encourage everyone to take pictures and they allow rooftop access so you're not shooting through glass. This is individual property rights to the extreme.

[raisethehammer]

Where did you manage to get the view from? Did you get on the roof? I'd imagine the roof access is locked. If we get denied, we'll just go down the street and call on Harry.

I got to the top floor, but it was empty at the time. Now there are apartments there.

[Jon Dalton]

I'll just go to management and tell them I'm planning a 1000 foot tower across the street.

[Jon Dalton]

Well that wasn't so hard after all......

[raisethehammer]

no?? what happened? any pics?

[realcity]

I think the original plan for this building was for a rooftop restaurant. Too bad they don't go for it now.

A revolving restaurant and helipad....

[raisethehammer]

Revolving resto would be awesome...helipad is not useful at all.

[Jon Dalton]

I just told them I worked for Stinson and they gave me the keys. Pics? about 5 rolls worth. The views of the city, escarpment and the bay are simply unmatched. It's sad that this place isn't being exploited some way or another. Maybe Stinson should get on that?

In the existing space, they could reno and set up a 360 degree bar. 43 storeys above the tap house!

[raisethehammer]

are you serious?? you told them you work for Stinson?? no way! Lol.
When can we see the pics?
And yes, that view is unmatched. Is the very top floor still empty?? What the heck? they need a 360 bar up there with rooftop patio.

[DC83]

[QUOTE=raisethehammer;3810472]
And yes, that view is unmatched. Is the very top floor still empty?? What the heck? they need a 360 bar up there with rooftop patio.

Best idea I have heard in YEARS about this building.

Montreal has a club called 737 (http://www.altitude737.com/) on the top floor of Place Ville-Marie, and it seems to be a success.

I can't wait to see ur shots, JonDalton. I've always wondered what those floors looked like!

[raisethehammer]

I wonder if the folks at Homestead will catch on when they get a ton of people with camera's all coming in over the next few weeks saying they 'work for Stinson' and need access to the rooftop? Haha...I'm gonna try it!

I'm also going to try to find a contact for this place and suggest they do the resto-patio up there. What are they waiting for??

[Jon Dalton]

are you serious?? you told them you work for Stinson?? no way! Lol.
When can we see the pics?
And yes, that view is unmatched. Is the very top floor still empty?? What the heck? they need a 360 bar up there with rooftop patio.

The 'top floor' I assume you mean the several floors that are boxed in and slightly bigger than the rest? Those are floors 38 to 43 and they are occupied. Were you just walking around empty apartments up there?

There is a much smaller 'box' ontop of those upper floors, two stories high. The first level of that is mechanical rooms and the second, the absolute top floor, is the abandoned observation deck. A final set of stairs leads to the roof of the observation deck, the highest point on the building.

Pictures are developing as we speak, so later today if you're lucky. Better yet, go down and try the Stinson trick.

[RePinion]

Is there a service elevator which runs all the way to the top floor? I presume there is (since those top few floors used to be offices, no?), but this would be a necessity if a bar or restaurant were to operate up there.

[DC83]

Is there a service elevator which runs all the way to the top floor? I presume there is (since those top few floors used to be offices, no?), but this would be a necessity if a bar or restaurant were to operate up there.

I believe there are two sets of elevators: One for the apartments, one for the upper-levels (old office suites).

you got into the Obversvation Deck, JonDalton?? How big was it? Like approx how many sq ft?

[raisethehammer]

yea, I was in the space that is now apartments....so, the observation level is just sitting there empty?? I don't get it.

[fastcarsfreedom]

The idea of a restaurant on the top of Century 21 is not a new one--it has been batted around in the past...along with the idea of a restaurant in the Sam Lawrence Park area. In addition to the CN Tower, Toronto has Canoe, at the top of the TD Centre...Detroit has Coach Insignia on two floors (71 & 72) of the Renaissance Center--Buffalo previously had "The 38th Floor" on top of the Marine Midland Center--though that restaurant disappeared sometime in the 1990s. The idea has some merit, assuming the food and atmposhere is good.

737 at the top of PVM in Montreal is a great spot--a restaurant by day and a nightclub in the evening--saw Mark Recchi there some years back.

As for observation spaces/decks--I recommend the top of Buffalo City Hall, which was renovated relatively recently.

[DC83]

737 at the top of PVM in Montreal is a great spot--a restaurant by day and a nightclub in the evening--saw Mark Recchi there some years back.

As for observation spaces/decks--I recommend the top of Buffalo City Hall, which was renovated relatively recently.

I always thought the top of Buffalo City Hall was their council chambers? Maybe that was just wishful thinking? Gorgeous building tho. One of my worldwide faves.

Mark Recchi, eh? That's fun! When I was there, Hugh Heffner was there... didn't see him of course. But there were lots of scantily-clad 'bunnies' hoppin around haha

But ya, I agree with you. It would make best sense to be Resto by Day, Club by Night.

Any name ideas? It would need to be catchy as a Club AND Resto! 360 ?

[Jon Dalton]

I got into, and onto, the observation deck. It's a square hallway about 8 feet wide with 20 foot sides. The middle is walled off and contains the staircase and I think some mechanical stuff. It's way too small for a restaurant.

Without building any new structures, I figure they could knock out part of the inside wall and set up a bar and have a counter and barstools along the windows. The elevator stops at floor 43 and then there's 3 flights of stairs. The washrooms would need to be a floor or two below.

At the very least, they should refinish the area and restore public access. It would be as easy as having visitors check in at the front desk. They could use an electronic lock with an access code that's reset every day. The only concern I could imagine would be bums and drug deals if access was unrestricted.

This seems to be an idea everyone agrees upon. We just need someone with the motivation and the financing to do it. I was serious that it would be a good project for Stinson. We know he can do restaurants and if anything he'd actually have a chance of financing this. It might be step one of rebuilding his reputation from the ground up.

[raisethehammer]

right on Jon. How can we email Stinson?? He's always looking to make a splash...nothing would be splashier than a 360 bar on top of Hamilton.
Is there room for an outdoor patio on that top floor?? I always assumed there would be since it's got a smaller footprint than the 5 floors below...maybe they could build a more substantial resto space on the roof of floor 43 (I think it's 43, if memory serves).

[DC83]

^^ Nevermind emailing, rth, he's ALWAYS in his Liason College Office! Just walk by during 9-5 if you have a chance one day.

If not, try that Connaught email!
info@theconnaught.ca

[SteelTown]

Harry Stinson's email......

harrystinson@bellnet.ca

[raisethehammer]

^^ Nevermind emailing, rth, he's ALWAYS in his Liason College Office! Just walk by during 9-5 if you have a chance one day.

If not, try that Connaught email!
info@theconnaught.ca

really?? at Liason?
I was looking at that place today...it's VERY skinny. he could do something ultra-slim and cool there.

[Jon Dalton]

Looks a little something like this:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o275/petermichaelwilson/FujiNPS160AA018A.jpg
(Photo by Peter Michael Wilson)
Check out the Tims drive-thru action on the bottom centre.
Loads more to come.

[DC83]

Wow great shot!
The old BMO Bldg is SO gorgeous at night. I remember one of Flar's shots, and it looks like it's just glowing!

What I don't get about Hamilton is why we don't illuminate our highrises like most cities do?

[adam]

.... with LEDs??

that shot would be a great postcard!
Another great shot if you could get it would be coming down Hwy 6 from Hwy 5 at night. I brought a few friends from Toronto that way and they thought it was gorgeous with all the lights - I think you get some Burlington mixed in with some Hamilton though.

[DC83]

I've noticed when you're coming down that hill at night, you can't see any downtown buildings at all. It's hard to see the buildings on the TB McQuestion bridge at night, even. So LEDs would be wonders for a city literally living in the dark.

Only problem is 2 of the 3 tallest here are residential. So they wouldn't be able to shoot LEDs up them all night long. They wouldn't be occupied for very long after that hahaha

[SteelTown]

I'd would love to see buildings covered with LED lights. Right House would be a killer. City Hall too. Wonder if Lister Block would be covered with LED lights.

Nice picture btw!

[raisethehammer]

LED's would be awesome...like Miami.

BTW, there's no Horton's drive-thru in that pic. Must be a lot (we know there's plenty of those).

[SteelTown]

I can't remember the city but it's a southern city, Kansas City? But they have a program where the city funds LED lights for the downtown area.

Imagine having all the buildings facing Gore Park covered with LED lights.

[DC83]

^^ it's the Tim's lot @ John/Jackson -- no drivethru tho.

[Jon Dalton]

We don't illuminate our highrises for the most part because there's nothing to illuminate. No sense showing off the shabby concrete apartments that comprise most of our skyline. I like Hamilton much better at night because you can't see the bad buildings. Now Stelco Tower could look cool, and maybe that BDC / Investors Group building.

Landmark has christmas lights on the roof. Are those turned on every year?

[DC83]

^^ Olympia & 100 Main both put Christmas lights on their roofs. 100 Main makes a Christmas Tree (which is usually ruined after the 1st windy day), and Olympia just wraps it around the top.

I think Stelco Tower, BDC Tower, 1 James South would look great, and CIBC would look AMAZING illuminated especially in the context of a blinging Gore Park which always looks fantastic during Christmas time.

[SteelTown]

All the buildings facing Gore Park would look good with LED lights.

[omro]

Are any illuminated by spot-lights?

Pigott building would look great illuminated.

[FairHamilton]

Are any illuminated by spot-lights?

Pigott building would look great illuminated.

With a giant ape hanging on to the top.

[raisethehammer]

"nothing to illuminate"?? How about Pigott?? floodlights on the wedding cake portion up top....would be wicked.

Stelco tower in blue or purple LED. CIBC bathed in red or yellow. BDC in blue. Royal Connaught, Chateau Royale and City Hall would also make great candidates to light up.

[Jon Dalton]

I meant the really tall buildings - the ones you see from a distance. Piggott counts as tall I guess, but if you're looking at a skyline it's always obscured by uglier yet taller buildings. I think I read on here that it was floodlit some time ago.

Some of our buildings are lit up nicely - I'm thinking St. James Church and the TH&B.

[raisethehammer]

I wonder how they could light up Landmark Place?? Maybe just the top 5 floors?

[adam]

I like the pot-light idea.. those can really make older buildings look great at night.

[fastcarsfreedom]

Montreal has a lighting program in the Old City and Old Port that has worked wonders lighting up the interesting facets/cornices, etc. Detroit implemented a program a couple of years back to flood-light a lot of the downtown skyscrapers--looks great - and generally most of it shuts off by midnight.

[raisethehammer]

I love the powerful spotlight that rotates through the sky on weekends in downtown Hamilton these days. I think it comes from King William St.

[DC83]

^^ Yep, from 77

[omro]

Some of our buildings are lit up nicely - I'm thinking St. James Church and the TH&B.

When I was visiting in April, as I walked towards my hotel, in the distance, I could see the Cathedral and that was lit up at night and looked impressive.

[adam]

The cathedral is great, too bad its on an island surrounded by a sea of angry traffic all the time though.

[astroblaster]

http://historicalhamilton.com/media/images/462.jpg

[raisethehammer]

yea, that cathedral is beautiful. I go for walks in behind it regularly...too bad we butchered the entire landscape in front/beside it.

[woreg75]

That structure could.. no would make it another stop on the map, if the were park space created for views.. Quite charming, and what a cathedral Hamilton does have..

Regardless of what following we have, it's nice to see what faith can build.. History at that time with their choice of location, Even the options it had to face due to price as it was during the Depression.. Relocating the Cathedral here, and abondoning (structure there and still standing) but rebuilt due to fire at St. Mary's, just north downtown.. wihich is beautiful as well..

Inside the Cathedral seems cold with the stone and rough but fitting fill. However the contrast of light and colour, is beautiful..
Contains priceliss art, but the windows alone are stunning and the real deal from Europe.. At the base below the rose window facing front - in the organ loft, are the pictures done in stain glass the prominant heads of town at the time.. Mayor, Bishop John McNally , and others. I may be mistaken, but various cultures from around the world are represented as well..


from the cathedrals web site...
"We will have the finest church in Canada", said Bishop John McNally when he announced the construction of a new Cathedral for the Diocese of Hamilton in 1931.

The Cathedral of Christ the King dominates the western entrance to the City of Hamilton. From its excellent location on King Street West, along side Highway 403, the Cathedral serves as a beacon attracting parishioners, pilgrims and visitors from across Canada and the world.

In 1933, this exquisite Gothic structure was dedicated to Christ, the King of Kings, and the first Cathedral so dedicated in the world. Measuring 235 feet in length and 72 feet in width, the exterior of the Cathedral is stately, solid and serene. It is built of limestone, quarried in Indiana and Georgetown, Ontario.

In the tower is a carillon of 23 bells. The largest bell, the Bourdon, was donated to the Cathedral by the Prime Minister of Canada. The Stations of the Cross were sculptured from a single block of Cararra marble; the kind used by Michelangelo for the Pieta. There are 82 stained glass windows made in Munich.

***

St Mike's in Toronto give tours, as others in the area.. I think this one may as well during certain times of the year..

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9125/cath1kx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/cath1kx9.jpg/1/w792.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img99/cath1kx9.jpg/1/)


http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/8121/cath2wp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7894/cath3gy7.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/img212/cath2wp2.jpg/1/)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/cath3gy7.gif/1/w350.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img99/cath3gy7.gif/1/)
**pics from the cathedral of christ the kings site**

but I digress...

I've thought for years Hamilton should make it's core buildings do something with some decorative lighting on the top.. Had even wrote a letter before I had moved to Toronto.. but the restaurant ideas are long over due, and I too feel so much should be done with these waiting spaces... especially with a view.. The London Tap seems happy with the way things went..

Hamilton really is on a gold mine.. ;)

[woreg75]

The Cathedral has up graded the monitors to flat screens on the large pillars.. funny!

[Jon Dalton]

Here's what it looks like inside
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj194/jondalton/IlfordFP4125AA033.jpg

and outside
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj194/jondalton/Sept17110.jpg

[fastcarsfreedom]

The interior shot from Century 21 really shows potential - though it sounds like the space is awkward to reach and is small -- too bad, the view looks incredible.

In reference to the Catherdral, its also notable that the Cathedral was extensively damaged by fire in 1981--in the major restoration which followed much of the woodwork which had fueled the fire was replaced with stone in marble surfaces (including the altar where the fire was believed to have originated) - one of the reasons for the general stone (non-flammable) nature of the interior.

[matt602]

They let you on the roof? Damn. I always wanted up there.

[raisethehammer]

HOLY! I want to see the rest of the pics!
That interior space would make for a wicked lounge/bar. That's it...I'm emailing Homestead. to waste that potential is insane.

[DC83]

^^ forward the email to Bratina & Fred, too!
Hopefully we can use some of JonDalton's shots to send to them too.

[Jon Dalton]

The best stuff should be coming back today. I'm sure Bratina has seen it for himself and Homestead is probably sick of hearing about it. We need businesspeople. The location is shitty (parking lots, strip mall) and anything is a tough sell in Hamilton. Maybe contact the taphouse? As much as I make fun of that place, they know how to do business.

[Jon Dalton]

They let you on the roof? Damn. I always wanted up there.

Matt, it's not as hard as you might think.

[Hammer Town]

Matt, it's not as hard as you might think.

How was it done. I would love to get up there sometime. Maybe we should try and arrange a SSP Meet up there.

[highwater]

Great pics, Jon. Thanks!