Looking up on James North
Seven-storey, $20-million condo development the latest project planned for Hamilton's downtown area
July 22, 2009
Meredith Macleod
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Business/article/604247
Another transformation is in the works for James Street North.
The owners of the Acclamation Bar and Grill at Mulberry Street are planning a seven-storey, $20-million development on a now-vacant lot beside the restaurant. The project would include 55 condo units, a 500-seat banquet hall, office space, a ground-floor storefront and underground parking. Acclamation would be expanded on the ground level.
The Roque family, which also owns roofing and property management companies, has owned the Acclamation building since 1999.
They are currently finalizing financing for the new project. Drawings for site plan approval will soon be submitted to the city, said architect John Mokrycke.
The goal is to have construction begin next spring, said Cristina Roque, whose father, Manuel, began the roofing company 30 years ago.
Occupancy could begin 18 months after that.
Roque says she and her siblings grew up in the North End and the family has deep ties in the neighbourhood. "We really like the area and there is a need for a banquet hall downtown."
Mokrycke, who also designed the Acclamation property and a number of other James Street sites, says this development will be unique in the city.
It will feature a private garden for office tenants, and rooftop vegetable gardens and barbecue facilities for condo owners.
"The condos will be very carefully designed in a loft style. Each one will have indoor/outdoor fireplaces that go out to the balconies," he said.
"The Roque family is an amazing family. They are very, very meticulous in whatever they do. This building will be extremely well-crafted."
The condo units will range from 700-square-foot to 2,500-square-foot penthouses and will be priced for Hamilton's market, says Mokrycke.
Transit running along James will be a big draw, says Mokrycke, who lives on James Street North.
"We're expecting it will be young professionals, urban lovers and transplants from larger cities.
"It's a lot of fun to live there. The summertime is great with all the flowers and vegetable stalls. In the winter, everything is close by. I never have to drive."
It's also historic and was once the pride of the city. City hall was there, along with grand homes and businesses. From the CNR station (now Liuna Station), soldiers went to war and immigrants first cast their eyes on their new city.
Two buildings once sat on the site of the new project. The first, immediately south of Acclamation, held offices and apartments. It was demolished several years ago.
The second had been home to the Threshold School of Building and included a dormant banquet hall upstairs.
It was torn down a few months ago.
Morty Morgenstern, whose family has owned the nearby landmark clothing and housewares emporium Morgenstern's for 40 years, says he's thrilled by what's happening on his stretch of James.
His family arrived on the street when it was populated mostly by Jewish merchants. Then waves of Italian and Portuguese immigrants moved in.
Now, another swing is in motion.
"It is nothing but positive," he said. "The arts community is bringing a lot of energy to this area. People are fixing up their buildings ... As a businessman, it's very good for me."
In a small storefront just south of Morgenstern's, a trio of young entrepreneurs: Jeremy Greenspan, Heather South and Brad Chichakian, are behind a plan to open a cafe called The Brain.
They see great hope for the burgeoning nightlife and live music scene along James Street North.
Like many, Morgenstern believes that James Street is the key to Hamilton's downtown turnaround.
"To take its rightful place among Canada's great cities, Hamilton has to have a vibrant, healthy, clean and safe downtown," he said.
"I feel this might be the turning point."
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