James North

[thistleclub]

Instant nostalgia!

City of Hope
(Globe & Mail, John Barber, Aug 21 2004)

It was hard to tell what was sadder: the hulk of the once-grand Tivoli Theatre, which had just collapsed after years of decay, or the small, raggedy demonstration staged to protest against the public and private neglect that hastened its loss.

"Welcome to the Hamilton dumping ground -- the main streets!" one protester yelled as traffic sped past along James Street. Another lofted a placard that read, "Hamilton -- No Respect, No Culture, No History, No Environment."

But the cars continued to speed by during the July rush hour, while work crews methodically demolished what was left of the city's last historic theatre, once a famous emblem of a long-vanished heyday.

With entire blocks of vacant storefronts, boarded-up windows, and dollar stores, James Street in downtown Hamilton is one of the saddest public places anywhere in Ontario, sadder even than the nearby, mostly vacant shopping malls that helped to destroy it: At least they left no poignant reminders of past glory. Declining steadily for decades, Hamilton's notorious downtown is now collapsing.

Even the sooty glory of its lakeside steel mills, which once endowed Hamilton with an average income higher than any other Ontario city, seems to be fading fast.

Officially insolvent since January, Stelco is shedding jobs and cutting product lines in order to stave off bankruptcy, and the legendary Hilton Works remains the biggest drag on its bottom line. The primary metal industry in Hamilton employs fewer than 15,000 workers today, down from more than 34,000 in the late 1980s -- and of those remaining workers, according to one study, a minority are city residents.

Despite the continued success of Dofasco, the city's second-largest industrial employer and the most profitable integrated steel mill on the continent, most Hamiltonians now accept the end of steel as a given. The surprising thing about Hamilton today is how many of its citizens seem to welcome that fate.

In the midst of its duress, the city is enjoying an unlikely boomlet of civic confidence.

[matt602]

James Street sure has come a long way, at least.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Wow. It's been a decade since the Tiv collapsed. It doesn't seem that long ago.

[thistleclub]

In a globe-trotting listicle, culture-centric website Blouin Artinfo has deemed James North a "burgeoning...hipster hood" you need to know. Not quite Monocle, but it'll do.

The neighbourhood's residential renaissance is arguably overstated -- in the decade between 2001 and 2011, the neighbourhood (measured by the four tracts that converge on James and Cannon and run the width of Ward 2, from Gore Park to Liuna Station) actually shed residents -- but the Witton Lofts to the northwest (and, eventually, the Acclamation Lofts smack dab in the middle) should offset that in the next census.

And there are plenty of amenities on the strip, so the chicken/egg dynamic shouldn't be an issue at this point.

Also: Supercrawl 2013 takes place this Friday/Saturday. Here's a schedule and a map.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

In a globe-trotting listicle, culture-centric website Blouin Artinfo has deemed James North a "burgeoning...hipster hood" you need to know. Not quite Monocle, but it'll do.

The neighbourhood's residential renaissance is arguably overstated -- in the decade between 2001 and 2011, the neighbourhood (measured by the four tracts that converge on James and Cannon and run the width of Ward 2, from Gore Park to Liuna Station) actually shed residents -- but the Witton Lofts to the northwest (and, eventually, the Acclamation Lofts smack dab in the middle) should offset that in the next census.

And there are plenty of amenities on the strip, so the chicken/egg dynamic shouldn't be an issue at this point.

Tokyo, Berlin, Milan, Paris, Toronto-Hamilton... I've never heard of that site, but the recognition is great.

I wonder how the demographics of those tracts have changed though. Fewer residents, but is that because of smaller households? What has happened to the median incomes, the age profiles, the occupational mix, etc. (all things I could easily look up myself and probably should for interest's sake)

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

I wonder how the demographics of those tracts have changed though. Fewer residents, but is that because of smaller households?

Haven’t been able to track down CT profiles for 2001, and as recent census stories indicate, some factors (eg. median incomes, occupational mix) will likely remain a question mark for the northern half of the James North tract cluster until the next long-form census. Here, however, are age profiles for the neighbourhood’s four tracts that converge at James and Cannon, as well as the corresponding figures for Ward 2 and the City of Hamilton during the 2006-2011 period.

Population Growth by Age Group (#; %), 2006-2011

James North (CT 5370048/049/063/064)
00-04: 595; 505 (-90; -15.1%)
05-09: 460; 450 (-10; -2.2%)
10-14: 495; 390 (-105; -21.2%)
15-19: 620; 550 (-70; -11.3%)
20-24: 830; 905 (+75; +9.0%)
25-29: 815; 895 (+80; +9.8%)
30-34: 705; 685 (-20; -2.8%)
35-39: 660; 575 (-85; -12.9%)
40-44: 815; 595 (-220; -27.0%)
45-49: 715; 725 (+10; +1.4%)
50-54: 540; 700 (+160; +22.9%)
55-59: 440; 580 (+140; +31.8%)
60-64: 375; 435 (+60; +16.0%)
65-69: 320; 375 (+55; +17.2%)
70-74: 290; 295 (+5; +1.7%)
75-79: 285; 270 (-15; -5.3%)
80-84: 225; 220 (-5; -0.2%)
85+: 200; 235 (+35; +17.5%)

Ward 2 (CT 5370034-039/048/049/063/064/066)
00-04: 1,940; 1,730 (-210; -10.8%)
05-09: 1,455; 1,325 (-130; -8.9%)
10-14: 1,420; 1,180 (-240; -17.5%)
15-19: 2,000; 1,765 (-235; -11.8%)
20-24: 3,035; 3,575 (+540; +17.7%)
25-29: 3,890; 4,175 (+285; +7.3%)
30-34: 3,235; 3,155 (-80; -2.5%)
35-39: 2,755; 2,410 (-345; -12.5%)
40-44: 3,200; 2,440 (-760; -23.8%)
45-49: 2,354; 2,780 (+426; +18.1%)
50-54: 2,445; 2,730 (+285; +11.7%)
55-59: 2,185; 2,535 (+350; +16.0%)
60-64: 1,685; 2,150 (+465; +27.6%)
65-69: 1,400; 1,525 (+125; +8.9%)
70-74: 1,240; 1,170 (-70; -5.6%)
75-79: 1,085; 1,000 (-85; -7.8%)
80-84: 125; 75 (-50; -40.0%)
85+: 670; 755 (+85; +12.7%)

City of Hamilton
00-04: 26,940; 27,430 (+490; +1.8%)
05-09: 29,410; 27,995 (+1,415; -4.8%)
10-14: 33,540; 30,290 (-3,230; -9.7%)
15-19: 34,900; 36,200 (+1,300; +3.7%)
20-24: 34,390; 36,375 (+1,985; +5.8%)
25-29: 30,325; 33,195 (+2,870; +9.5%)
30-34: 30,625; 30,905 (+280; +0.9%)
35-39: 34,760; 31,370 (-3,390; -9.8%)
40-44: 41,230; 35,610 (-5,620; -13.6%)
45-49: 40,840; 41,890 (+1,050; +2.6%)
50-54: 36,125; 40,875 (+4,750; +13.1%)
55-59: 31,865; 35,430 (+3,565; +11.2%)
60-64: 24,230; 30,810 (+6,580; +27.2%)
65-69: 19,740; 22,930 (+3,190; +16.2%)
70-74: 17,860; 18,455 (+595, +3.3%)
75-79: 16,210; 15,675 (-535; -3.3%)
80-84: 12,620; 12,635 (+15; +0.1%)
85+: 8,970; 11,880 (+2,900; +32.4%)


Average # Residents Per Dwelling, 2006-2011

James North (CT 5370048/049/063/064)
2006: 2.11
2011: 2.01

Ward 2 (CT 5370034-039/048/049/063/064/066)
2006: 1.76
2011: 1.72

City of Hamilton
2006: 2.46
2013: 2.42

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Young people flocking to James North and perhaps people on their second career or retirees as well. Interesting.

Could this be the thing that helps to keep new graduates in town? It's definitely one of the many keys to turning things around.

[thistleclub]

Population Share by Age Group (%), 2006-2011

James North (CT 5370048/049/063/064)
00-04: 6.3%; 5.4%
05-09: 4.9%; 4.8%
10-14: 5.3%; 4.2%
15-19: 6.6%; 5.9%
20-24: 8.8%; 9.6%
25-29: 8.7%; 9.5%
30-34: 7.5%; 7.3%
35-39: 7.0%; 6.1%
40-44: 8.7%; 6.3%
45-49: 7.6%; 7.7%
50-54: 5.8%; 7.5%
55-59: 4.7%; 6.2%
60-64: 4.0%; 4.6%
65-69: 3.4%; 4.0%
70-74: 3.1%; 3.1%
75-79: 3.0%; 2.9%
80-84: 2.4%; 2.3%
85+: 2.1%; 2.5%

Ward 2 (CT 5370034-039/048/049/063/064/066)
00-04: 5.4%; 4.8%
05-09: 4.0%; 3.6%
10-14: 3.9%; 3.2%
15-19: 5.5%; 4.9%
20-24: 8.4%; 9.8%
25-29: 10.8%; 11.5%
30-34: 9.0%; 8.7%
35-39: 7.6%; 6.6%
40-44: 8.9%; 6.7%
45-49: 6.5%; 7.6%
50-54: 6.8%; 7.5%
55-59: 6.1%; 7.0%
60-64: 4.7%; 5.9%
65-69: 3.9%; 4.2%
70-74: 3.4%; 3.2%
75-79: 3.0%; 2.7%
80-84: 3.5%; 2.1%
85+: 1.9%; 2.1%

City of Hamilton
00-04: 5.3%; 5.3%
05-09: 5.8%; 5.4%
10-14: 6.7%; 5.8%
15-19: 6.9%; 7.0%
20-24: 6.8%; 7.0%
25-29: 6.0%; 6.4%
30-34: 6.1%; 5.9%
35-39: 6.9%; 6.0%
40-44: 8.2%; 6.9%
45-49: 8.1%; 8.1%
50-54: 7.2%; 7.9%
55-59: 6.3%; 6.8%
60-64: 4.8%; 5.9%
65-69: 3.9%; 4.4%
70-74: 3.5%; 3.6%
75-79: 3.2%; 3.0%
80-84: 2.5%; 2.4%
85+: 1.8%; 2.3%

[bigguy1231]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

^Young people flocking to James North and perhaps people on their second career or retirees as well. Interesting.

Could this be the thing that helps to keep new graduates in town? It's definitely one of the many keys to turning things around.

Considering those two groups are usually the two with the highest number of low income individuals it's more than likely the cheap rents and proximity to social services.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

Considering those two groups are usually the two with the highest number of low income individuals it's more than likely the cheap rents and proximity to social services.

Look at the numbers thistleclub presented though (thanks thistleclub! )

Much of the population growth, in both Ward 2 and the central Census tracts, has been among the 20s age groups (people just getting established in careers) and late-40s thru 50s (people who are still working but planning on retirement, many of whom may still have children living at home).

Income data would help paint the picture, but to assume it's just "low income individuals" is premature.

One could equally assume it's people who have some means who are attracted to the lifestyle this area presents.

[thistleclub]

A flare from the nebula:

City employee's former company gets $23K grant for previous project
(CBC Hamilton, Samantha Craggs, Dec 4 2013)

A company partially owned by Hamilton’s manager of urban renewal is getting a $23,739 city grant for a downtown development project, sparking councillors to take a harder look at conflict of interest rules.

Glen Norton is a partner in a numbered company that revitalized part of James North. He and Robert Scott Smith at 2206066 Ontario Inc. renovated 193-197 James St. N., which is now home to the Mulberry Café.

In August 2009, about one month after council approved the company for a tax increment grant, the city hired Norton to his current position.

With confirmation that the project did lead to an assessment increase, the grant came to council committee Wednesday for approval. The report notes the project meets the criteria for the grant.

But when the general issues committee voted to give Norton’s company the grant, Coun. Brad Clark didn’t like how it felt.

“We have a little bit of an issue,” the Stoney Creek councillor said. While Norton had nothing to do with the report that recommended approval, two staff members who answer to him prepared it, and “there’s an inherent conflict of interest over that.”

Several councillors spoke of Norton’s hard work. In renovating part of James North, he is “putting his money where his mouth is” when it comes to downtown renewal, said Coun. Jason Farr, who represents the downtown.

The issue has “nothing to with your integrity,” Coun. Brenda Johnson told Norton, who sat in the audience. “You know I have the highest respect for you.

“But to approve this now and say we’ll fix it later doesn’t jive with me.”


Approved by 10 councillors regardless. Read it in full here.

From the Hamilton Spectator, August 26 2009:

Norton has already declared a conflict of interest on the project because it is seeking tax breaks. He will have no involvement in the city’s handling of the applications, Marini said.

[oldcoote]

A tangled web, but I don't see an issue.

The grant application was made before he was a city employee. The property met all criteria. It's a fantastic example of adaptive re-use, a creative catalyst for the neighbourhood, AND the city will make it all back (and more) through increased property taxes.

Glad it went through.

[thistleclub]

An update to an earlier post:

Spectator Aug 2005: Artist Drawn to James Street North
Globe and Mail Jan 2006: Go West, Young Artist
Spectator Jan 2006: Derelict Lister ‘Can’t Be Saved’
Spectator Jan 2006: Onward and Upward: Lister Block Backers
Spectator Feb 2006: The Hart's of Hamilton
Spectator May 2006: Lister Block Saga is Coming to an End
Spectator May 2006: Lister Showdown Looming
Spectator June 2006: Last-Minute Lister Reprieve
National Post Aug 2006: Hamming It Up
Spectator Aug 2006: Ballet Company Makes Offer for Tivoli
Spectator Aug 2006: Tivoli's 'Risen From Ashes' in Ballet Deal
Spectator Sept 2006: Glass Facade Planned for Tivoli
Spectator Sept 2006: A Breakthrough for the Lister Saga
Toronto Star Nov 2006: Studio Redux
CBC Arts Jan 2007: Sky Gilbert Plans New Hamilton Theatre Project
Spectator Jan 2007: Mohawk Eyes Lister Block for Its Music Program
Spectator Jan 2007: Lister Block: Alive with the Sound of Music?
Spectator Feb 2007: Developer Eyes James North
Spectator Apr 2007: City Core Alive with New Life
Spectator Apr 2007: Taking It to the Street
Spectator Apr 2007: A Flower Blooms on James
Spectator June 2007: McGuinty: There’s Cash for Lister
Up! Magazine June 2007: Grit and Determination
Spectator June 2007: Artistic Talents, Tours Showcase Makers' Market
Spectator June 2007: Lister Cash
Spectator June 2007: Restoration of Lister Symbolic
Toronto Star June 2007: Novel Tours Create Buzz in Steeltown
Spectator July 2007: Down-home Fare at the Harbour
Spectator Oct 2007: Another Reason to Love this City
Spectator Oct 2007: Downtown Needs More Folks Like Gary
Spectator Nov 2007: 'Condo King' to Speak at United Way Fundraiser
Spectator Nov 2007: The Art of Co-operation on James Street North
Toronto Star Nov 2007: Artists Who Rock the Burbs, We Salute You
Spectator Dec 2007: Outspoken T.O. Developer Eyes Lister
Toronto Star Jan 2008: Twice the House... Half the Price
Spectator Jan 2008: Lister Block: City to Get a $37 Shock
Spectator Jan 2008: Better Deal? City Ponders Purchase of Lister Block
Spectator Jan 2008: The Lister Truth? Depends on Who's Talking
Spectator Jan 2008: Foundation Wants Lister Designated as Heritage Site
Spectator Jan 2008: Artists Find a Fabulous Home in North End
Spectator Feb 2008: Lister Developers Pull Rabbit from Hat
Spectator Feb 2008: Time to Buy Lister, Says Eisenberger
Spectator Feb 2008: Purchasing Lister Block Is No Deal, Report Finds
Spectator Feb 2008: City Eyes Lister Deal Pegged to Seniors' Homes
Spectator Mar 2008: Art Project a Good Fit for Jerry's
Spectator Mar 2008: Art Centre's Profile on the Rise
Spectator Mar 2008: Province 'Bending Backwards' for Lister
Spectator Mar 2008: Provincial Cash to Add GO Train Stop at LIUNA Station
Spectator Mar 2008: Big Boost for Lister Block
Spectator Mar 2008: New Optimism for an Old Frustration
Spectator Apr 2008: Where Is James North Heading?
Spectator Apr 2008: Hamilton Eyes Broader Rail Service
Spectator June 2008: Replica Trolleys Offer Free Ride to Waterfront
Spectator June 2008: Lister Hairball Ready to be Coughed Up?
Spectator June 2008: Showdown Over Lister
Spectator June 2008: LIUNA Open to Lister Compromise
Spectator June 2008: After Three-Year Roller-Coaster Ride, Deal for Lister Block 'Is Dead'
Spectator June 2008: LIUNA Says Yes To Lister Block Deal
Spectator July 2008: Mayor Saved Lister Deal: LIUNA
Spectator July 2008: You, Me and a Lot of Momentum
Spectator July 2008: Neighbours Say Deal Signals New Era For Core
Spectator Aug 2008: Ballet Head Sees Tivoli Rising Again
Spectator Aug 2008: City Pays $20,000 for Study of Tivoli
Spectator Aug 2008: Building Coming Down; 123 James St. N. Too Dangerous
Toronto Life Sept 2008: Steeltown Revisited
Canadian Geographic Oct 2008: One City, Three Venues: Hamilton
Spectator Dec 2008: City Gets New Home Offer
Spectator Dec 2008: Studio Makes An Impression
Spectator Dec 2008: James North Comes in from the Cold
Spectator Dec 2008: More Trains in GO Plan
Toronto Star Feb 2009: Artists Drawn Down QEW
Spectator Feb 2009: New Vision of City from James North
Hamilton Magazine Spring 2009: Learning To Walk
Spectator May 2009: Who Are Artists and Why Should We Care?
Spectator May 2009: 1855 Thomas Building Gets A New, Old Face
Spectator May 2009: Concern for Thomas Façade
Up! Magazine June 2009: Good ‘Hood: James Street North
Spectator June 2009: This Ain't Hollywood Just the Tonic for James
Spectator July 2009: Downtown Resuscitation Project
Spectator July 2009: Another Victory for James Street
Spectator July 2009: Looking Up On James North
Spectator July 2009: Lister Block Restoration on Track
Spectator Aug 2009: Bringing Back the Tivoli
Spectator Aug 2009: ‘Downtown Guy’ Tackles Key City Job
Spectator Oct 2009: Cultural Feast on the Street
Spectator Oct 2009: Artists Know How to Throw A Party
NFB Nov 2009: Hamilton Mon Amour
Broken Pencil Jan 2010: Art Is The New Steel
Spectator Feb 2010: They're At It Again On James North
Spectator Feb 2010: Old Hotel Gets 'Artistic' Makeover
Spectator Mar 2010: James St. North Rival to Hess?
Spectator Apr 2010: Buskers Fill James North With Music
Spectator May 2010: Art On The Street
Spectator May 2010: The Street That Built A City
Spectator June 2010: Is James North Being Gentrified?
Spectator June 2010: New Life, Vintage Stock On James St. N.
Spectator June 2010: Old Venues Await New Crowds
Briarpatch July 2010 Creative Class Struggle
Globe and Mail July 2010: Steeltown Is Where The Artists Are
Spectator Aug 2010: Mex-I-Can Serves Up Authentic Fare
Spectator Aug 2010: Windows To The Future
Spectator Sept 2010: Supercrawl Puts New Face On James Street North
Spectator Sept 2010: James North Super Crawl
National Post Oct 2010: The Secret's Out: Why the Cool Kids are Moving to Hamilton
Spectator Oct 2010: By George, We Got Him
Spectator Oct 2010: The Rise and Return of James North
Spectator Oct 2010: A Street on the Rebound
Spectator Oct 2010: A Street With A History
Spectator Oct 2010: Our Yesterday Our Tomorrow
Spectator Oct 2010: Sicilian Memories of James Street North
Spectator Oct 2010: The Portuguese Era on James
Spectator Oct 2010: A Bold Vision For Downtown Renewal
Spectator Oct 2010: What Goes Around Comes Around
Spectator Oct 2010: Lister Restoration Revealed
Spectator Oct 2010: Helping Out Their New Neighbours
Spectator Oct 2010: Student Streetscapes
Spectator Oct 2010: James Street Keepsakes
Spectator Oct 2010: ‘I've Leaned On This Street Plenty'
Mayday Nov 2010: To the Footsoldiers of Gentrification
Spectator Nov 2010: Lister’s Promise Being Fulfilled
Globe and Mail Nov 2010: Steeltown's Architectural History Comes Alive
Spectator Nov 2010: Culture Integral to Building Great Cities
Spectator Dec 2010: Yarn Lovers Drop A New Kind of Bomb
Spectator Dec 2010: In Defence of Gentrification
Spectator Dec 2010: Local Artists Hailed on James St. N.
Spectator Jan 2011: Ambience Abounds at What Next?
Spectator Jan 2011: A New Focus on James North
Globe and Mail Feb 2011: In Hamilton, The Mundane Becomes Spectacular
Spectator May 2011: City Gets Grants to Accelerate Growth
NationalGeographic.com June 2011: Post-Industrial
NationalGeographic.com June 2011: A New Perspective: Seeing Hamilton Through Eyes of A Traveller
Spectator July 2011: Hamilton City Centre Sold for $25m
Spectator July 2011: Lady Lister’s Return to Glory
Spectator July 2011: Lister’s Legacy
Spectator Aug 2011: Art Sophistication Comes to James Street North
Spectator Sept 2011: Supercrawl Becoming Super Big
Spectator Sept 2011: Supercrawl Estimates As High as 50,000
Spectator Sept 2011: McGuinty Promises All-Day GO
Spectator Sept 2011: It’s a GO – Ontario Picks up Tab
Spectator Oct 2011: Lister Revived as Tivoli Withers
Globe and Mail Nov 2011: Sexy, Sleek and Sophisticated... in Hamilton?
Spectator Dec 2011: Music, Music, Music… Thanks, Alfie
Spectator Jan 2012: BIA Divides James Street North
Spectator Jan 2012: Heart of Glass Hidden Beneath Skin of James Street North Building
Spectator Feb 2012: Budget Could Put CBC Hamilton in Jeopardy
CBC.ca Feb 2012: CBC's First Peek at 118 James Street North
CBC Hamilton Feb 2012: Honouring the Past with An Eye to the Future
Spectator Mar 2012: Artists Brush up James North Crossroads
Spectator Mar 2012: LIUNA Investing $3m in Another CN Station Ballroom
Spectator Mar 2012: James North Supercrawl Gets $60,000 Boost from City
Spectator Mar 2012: Mob Hits James North
Spectator Apr 2012: Tourism Hamilton Open House at Lister
Spectator Apr 2012: The New, Improved Lister Block
Spectator May 2012: CBC Digital Service to Launch Thursday
Spectator May 2012: Good Morning, Hamilton: CBC Ready to Share City’s Stories
CBC Hamilton May 2012: Hamilton Art Crawl in 60 Photos
CBC Hamilton May 2012: Tweets From the Corner of James & Cannon
Spectator May 2012: James North Art Crawl Continues to Win Fans
Spectator May 2012: Rileys Get Royal Treatment for 150th Anniversary
Spectator June 2012: From Two Feet to Four Wheels and Back Again
The Bay Observer June 2012: The Inevitable Gentrification of James Street North
CBC Hamilton June 2012: De Facto Gallery Opens at the Mulberry on Friday
CBC Hamilton June 2012: Hamilton Artist Makes Birds Hit the Walls
CBC Hamilton June 2012: 10 Things Happening Tonight at Art Crawl in Hamilton
Spectator June 2012: Downtown Hamilton Friday Night Art Crawl
Spectator June 2012: Open Streets Hamilton
CBC Hamilton June 2012: James Street North Shuts Down for Open Streets Hamilton
CBC Hamilton June 2012: James North Comes Alive with Open Streets Hamilton
Spectator June 2012: The RHLI at 150
Spectator June 2012: City Centre Mall Aiming to Be a Part of James North Revival
CBC Hamilton July 2012: Hamilton Art Crawl Food Donations Waning
CBC Hamilton July 2012: Emerging Hamilton Artist Carries Secret into Artcrawl
CBC Hamilton July 2012: Hamilton Artists Inc. Showcases McMaster Students
CBC Hamilton July 2012: See the Hamilton Smiles of Art Crawl
Spectator July 2012: AGH Previews its Design Annex
CBC Hamilton June 2012: AGH Design Annex Opens Saturday on James Street North
CBC Hamilton June 2012: AGH Annex Director Welcomes Hamilton to Gallery's New Home James Street North
Spectator July 2012: Regional Tourism Group Sets up Tent in Historical Lister Block
Spectator July 2012: James Street Abuzz Over Office Building Plan
CBC Hamilton July 2012: Smoothie Bar Making Hamilton Greener
Spectator July 2012: City on the Hunt for Lister Tenants
CBC Hamilton Aug 2012: Hamilton Drawing Artists with Its Space, Inspiration
CBC Hamilton Aug 2012: 5 Cool Things to Do or See at August Art Crawl
CBC Hamilton Aug 2012: Supercrawl Will Be Super Big In Hamilton This Year
CBC Hamilton Aug 2012: Supercrawl, A Super Way to Get Involved in Hamilton
Globe and Mail Sept 2012: Steeltown's Architectural History Comes Alive
CBC Hamilton Sept 2012: Strombo Says: Come Crawl With Us, Hamilton
Spectator Sept 2012: GO Trains on Board for Supercrawl
Spectator Sept 2012: Something for Everyone at Supercrawl
CBC Hamilton Sept 2012: Hamilton Supercrawl Volunteers Are the Life of the Party
Spectator Sept 2012: Prince Edward Crowns Rileys’ 150th Celebration
CBC Hamilton Sept 2012: Prince Edward Visits James Street North in Hamilton
Spectator Sept 2012: Supercrawl Delights in Weekend-Long Celebration
Globe and Mail Sept 2012: An Exhibit of Hamilton’s Mansions for the Inner Voyeur
Silhouette Sept 2012: Street Art: Gentrification and James Street North
Spectator Sept 2012: Pedestrians Reclaim City Streets – Again
Spectator Sept 2012: Sirloin Cellar Closes Door Over Dispute with City
CBC Hamilton Oct 2012: Father and Son Launch Exhibition at Hamilton Artists Inc.
CBC Hamilton Oct 2012: Five Things for Art Lovers at October's Art Crawl
Spectator Oct 2012: Meet Kieran Dickson, A Man Who Lives Clutter-Free
CBC Hamilton Nov 2012: Will Hamilton's Tivoli Rise Again?
Spectator Dec 2012: LIUNA Announces Phase 2 of Lister Block Project
Spectator Dec 2012: Lister Expansion Shows Downtown’s On a Roll
Spectator Dec 2012: Owner of Irving’s Clothes 'Loved James Street'
Spectator Dec 2012: Tivoli Shall Rise Again, Says Ballet
Spectator Jan 2013: Idle No More Invades Hamilton’s Art Crawl
Spectator Jan 2013: Bank of Montreal Opens New Branch on James North
Spectator Jan 2013: Tim Potocic: From Supercrawl Founder to Citizen of the Year
Spectator Feb 2013: A 15-foot Salad Bar Opens on James Street North
Spectator Feb 2013: Irving’s Clothier to Close After 98 Years
Spectator Feb 2013: Irving’s Famous Clothes: Another Family Business Goes Dark
Spectator Feb 2013: Tivoli Being Sold to Developer
Spectator Feb 2013: Councillors Out of the Loop in Tivoli Sale
Spectator Feb 2013: Sewing is the New Black
Spectator Feb 2013: Lamb, Ho! The Stowaway Sets Sail Toward Good Food and Booze
Spectator Mar 2013: CN Rail Holds the Cards in All-Day GO Service to James North
Spectator Mar 2013: Suburban Councillors Sour on Bid for Supercrawl Funding Boost
CBC Hamilton Mar 2013: Councillors Vote Down Supercrawl's $125,000 Funding Request
Spectator Mar 2013: 1920s-style Steakhouse Chosen for Lister Block Corner
Spectator Mar 2013: Owners of Tivoli Facing Nutcracker Lawsuit
Spectator Mar 2013: Needlework Enters Second Year with a New Website
Spectator Mar 2013: Deal Closes for Downtown Tivoli Theatre
Spectator Mar 2013: Community More Cautious than Optimistic After Tivoli Sale
Spectator Mar 2013: Tivoli Developer Can Tap into City Incentive Programs
Spectator Mar 2013: Local Property Manager Has Big Plans for James North Building
Spectator Apr 2013: New Lister Tenant Can’t Wait to be Back Downtown
Spectator Apr 2013: Design for New James North GO Station Unveiled
CBC Hamilton Apr 2013: Plans for New James Street North GO Station Unveiled
CBC Hamilton Apr 2013: An Official GO for GO Station on James North
Silhouette May 2013: Full Steam Ahead for New GO Station in Hamilton
Spectator May 2013: Bobby Kennedy Jr. to Speak at LIUNA Station
Spectator May 2013: Developer Announces Plans for James North Building
CBC Hamilton May 2013: New James North Office Complex a 'Vote of Confidence' for Downtown Hamilton
Chatelaine June 2013: Five Places to Visit in Hamilton's Trendy James St. North
Spectator June 2013: More GO Trains, but Less Than All-Day Service
Spectator June 2013: Jamesville on the Verge of Blooming
Spectator June 2013: No All-Day GO by 2020?
Spectator June 2013: Bringing Yarn to James Street North
Spectator June 2013: A Vivid Vision for James Street North
Spectator June 2013: 10 Businesses Opening on James Street North
Spectator June 2013: Downtown Architects Working on Tivoli Tower Design
Spectator June 2013: Historic Tour Kicks Off at Art Crawl
Spectator June 2013: Green Smoothie Bar Turns One
National Post June 2013: Some Cities Learn it Takes a Village to Foster a Generation of Entrepreneurs
Spectator July 2013: Construction Begins on James Street North Commercial Building
Spectator July 2013: Portuguese Grilled Chicken Restaurant Next on James North
Spectator Aug 2013: Art Gallery Completes Tenant Roster for Lister Block
CBC Hamilton Aug 2013: Supercrawl's Growth is Off the Charts
CBC Hamilton Sept 2013: Tivoli Condo Project Announced for James Street North
BlouinArtInfo.com Sept 2013: The Hot New Neighborhoods You Need to Know: A Global Guide
Spectator Sept 2013: James Street North Recognized by Prestigious Arts Promoter
Spectator Sept 2013: Boxing: Lewis, Holyfield, Holmes, Chuvalo Visiting Hamilton
CBC Hamilton Sept 2013: Supercrawl 2013: Everything You Need to Know
Spectator Sept 2013: James Street North is an Instant Star as Thousands Turn Out for Supercrawl
Spectator Sept 2013: A Supersized James Street North Supercrawl
CBC Hamilton Sept 2013: Buckshot Bebee Finds Her Style in Rock ’n’ Roll
Spectator Sept 2013: Bank Plans Beauty Treatment for Plain-Jane Downtown Building
CBC Hamilton Oct 2013: Supercrawl: By the Numbers
Spectator Oct 2013: How Can We Make Hamilton Regeneration ‘Contagious’?
Spectator Oct 2013: Lister Block to Get $35m James Street Neighbour
Spectator Oct 2013: Plans Unveiled for $35-Million Condo Project Beside Lister Block
CBC Hamilton Oct 2013: Developer to Rebuild Lister's Neighbour, Stack a Condo on Top
Spectator Oct 2013: From HIStory to HERstore
Spectator Nov 2013: Supercrawl Aiming for Million-Dollar Funding Mark
CBC Hamilton Nov 2013: BMO Builds New Bank on James North, Shuts Old One on Barton East
Silhouette Nov 2013: Where to Eat Along James Street (North)
Spectator Nov 2013: The Future of James North… in 5 Minutes or Less
Spectator Nov 2013: James North Ideas in Five Minutes or Less
NewInHomes.com Dec 2013: Is Hamilton’s Art Scene Increasing Real Estate Value?
CBC Hamilton Dec 2013: Love Your City More at the New Hamilton Store
CBC Hamilton Dec 2013: Hamilton's Oldest Puzzle is Made of Stone
CBC Hamilton Dec 2013: New Details on Tivoli Redevelopment Coming Soon
Globe and Mail Jan 2014: Old-Style Local News Meets New Media in Hamilton, Ont.
CBC Hamilton Jan 2014: City Spends $50K to Establish a Hamilton Music Office
McMaster Daily News Feb 2014: McMaster Renewing its Long-Time Commitment to Downtown Hamilton
Spectator Feb 2014: Mac Moving into Jackson Square Pavilion
CBC Hamilton Feb 2014: McMaster to Move Downtown Centre to Jackson Square Complex
Spectator Feb 2014: From Humble Beginnings, A Creative Renaissance

[thistleclub]

Published in October 2013, Vanessa Sage's doctoral thesis Arts in the City: Visions of James Street North, 2005-2011.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

An update to an earlier post:

Wow. Just wow.

Well done, thistleclub

[thistleclub]

Thanks. Had been meaning to refresh.

On a related note, $1,500/month gets you this two-bedroom apartment above McCartney & Son.

[matt602]

$1500 a month? Yep. We're finally at Toronto pricing on James North. Geez. Bathroom looks nice though.

[coalminecanary]

That doesn't seem that far out of line for a nice 2 bed 2 bath. Students pay almost that much per room to live in 7 bedroom dives.

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by coalminecanary

That doesn't seem that far out of line for a nice 2 bed 2 bath. Students pay almost that much per room to live in 7 bedroom dives.

In Hamilton? Really?

[matt602]

I don't know if you're talking about luxury 2 bedroom apartments or what, but I usually see $800-$1000/month for standard 2 bedroom apartments in Hamilton (clean, upgraded units in buildings no older than 30 years). If you're willing to go for older units in crappier areas they can go as cheap as $650-$700/month. Two friends of mine were renting one on Emerald just a few doors North of Barton for $750/month.