123 James St North | ? | ? | Complete

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Yeah, I've never seen anyone going in or out. The adjoining buildings are definitely being used as storage for some sort of wholesale business. Someone once suggested that that's an illegal use of those buildings but I have no idea, so I'll just leave that dangling out there.

[davidcappi]

Not to mention that "market" takes up 3-4 buildings. It's literally a massive eyesore.

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by matt602

As much as I don't want to see long-time business shoved off of a street, that asian market has always looked terrible. I don't think I've ever even seen anybody actually go in and out the front door, or seen anybody shopping inside. It's just a big, orange eyesore on an otherwise prominent corner. It's location is kind of odd too, considering that most of the rest of the asian food stores are up on Cannon around Park.

I remember going there around fifteen years ago and it was ago, but I went a couple of years ago and it had really gone downhill. I have to think that it won't last much longer, just because it is a pretty valuable property now.

[Davis137]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

It sure does but its neighbours are likely closer to 125 years than 75.

Yep, this building actually looks right at home...need to see more like it in the future...

[Jon Dalton]

123 James North - done and still empty on the ground level. Maybe $35 / square foot with costs is still a little rich for the area. I just walk by and think 'what a waste' - this could all be one decent LCBO.

The James Market property is pretty unique in that it's a row of storefronts joined into one large area. The steel reinforcing was already done and wouldn't have been cheap. It may be ugly right now but I hope they don't tear it down. It's an opportunity for a high square footage store in a character building that you don't see often.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Are they joined from the old Bi-Way down to Cannon then?

The former Bi-Way has such great potential as a retail outlet...because that's what it was, obviously.

[coalminecanary]

The small building at the Cannon end is not opened up into the others. It also has no basement and no floor.

The basements of the 3-storey victorians are also opened up to each other and there's a conveyor system running through all of the buildings.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Wow, you've got some serious intel on that block. Well done.

Just between you and me, what do you think's going on in those buildings?

[coalminecanary]

it's wholesale food warehousing (they sell to convenience stores)

who knows what's happening on the upper levels - likely nothing

it's disgusting what these people will get when they sell - cashing out on everyone else's work

[arch100]

At least 1 retail unit is rented. Signs went up yesterday for a shop called Chocolat. Says they will have chocolate confectionery, espresso bar, baked goods, ice cream, and more. No date for opening given, just says 'opening soon', but they are definitely working on it. Located facing James, second unit from North side (2 doors down from Store and 3 doors down from White Elephant).

[king10]

Originally Posted by arch100

At least 1 retail unit is rented. Signs went up yesterday for a shop called Chocolat. Says they will have chocolate confectionery, espresso bar, baked goods, ice cream, and more. No date for opening given, just says 'opening soon', but they are definitely working on it. Located facing James, second unit from North side (2 doors down from Store and 3 doors down from White Elephant).

sounds like a nice little italian cafe. will fit in well on james north

[davidcappi]

It will occupy the smallest of the three retail units. This shop seems like a good addition to the street!

I also want to make note that they're finishing the installation of a gunmetal coloured cornice around the building on parts that were previously left unfinished. I can't even begin to express how much of a difference it makes in the building's appearance. Really good stuff.

Mr Beume please build another!

[davidcappi]

[Beedok]

More buildings like this one (though preferably in the 4-8 floor range) would go a long way to improving the downtown.

[The Gore]

Nice solid structure - looks great.

Will look even better when retail space is occupied.

[flar]

The format is great. I just hate windows without mullions. They could at least do fake ones.

[ScreamingViking]

The brick looks amazing. This is a great addition to the core.

I wasn't aware the parking out back was going to slope below grade... there is underground parking too isn't there? (we just can't see the entry from those angles?)

[Jon Dalton]

Yes, there is underground parking under the whole building. It is for the tenants, the surface parking is for customers.

[davidcappi]

More buildings like this one (though preferably in the 4-8 floor range) would go a long way to improving the downtown.

Agreed Think of buildings similar to this at King and Wellington, Main and Queen, Cannon and James, John at Jackson. It's an easy format for small infill, which we have lots of opportunities for here in Hamilton. This board tends to sway towards big big big, but there are tiny lots that need filling as well. This is great work, and I hope more follow.

[davidcappi]

Render of the new chocolate shop storefront:



and a comparison now that the building is almost done: