118-124 James Street North (Former Friendship Gift Shop | ? | 3 fl | Renovation

block43 · #1 Posted **Jul 23, 2010, 12:46 PM**

Has anyone seen the former friendship gift shop? They've removed the horrendous white siding from the second and third floors and are installing windows today.

Does anyone know what the future use of this building is?

northender98 · #2 Posted **Jul 23, 2010, 1:02 PM**

I am really excited about this project. Apparenty "Thier Curran Architects" will be occupying the top two floors and they are hoping to lease out the main floor. I think the main floor would be awesome for another cafe like the "bean bar" in Westdale and a restaurant or stylish women's clothing boutique. The city should insist all metal cladding be taken off buidings. A lot of buildings near the Gore would benefit and we would have improved pedestrian surroundings. The cladding was taken off a building on James Street across from "Pam's Coffee and Tea" in Jackson Square and it looks great. Here's hoping we see more of these.
Northender98

block43 · #3 Posted **Jul 23, 2010, 1:19 PM**

Wow, that's great news!

emge · #4 Posted **Jul 23, 2010, 9:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by northender98

I am really excited about this project. Apparenty "Thier Curran Architects" will be occupying the top two floors and they are hoping to lease out the main floor. I think the main floor would be awesome for another cafe like the "bean bar" in Westdale and a restaurant or stylish women's clothing boutique. The city should insist all metal cladding be taken off buidings. A lot of buildings near the Gore would benefit and we would have improved pedestrian surroundings. The cladding was taken off a building on James Street across from "Pam's Coffee and Tea" in Jackson Square and it looks great. Here's hoping we see more of these.
Northender98

Wow, I hope another decent cafe gets in there (although I could stand to see some decent retail too).

I haven't liked every project their + curran does (e.g. the monopoly hotel-esque good shepherd project), but they've supported things I do like the WH location for the stadium, and if they're architects they should do this building right

Jon Dalton · #5 Posted **Jul 23, 2010, 9:46 PM**

Like alot of mall-cladded downtown buildings, I always wondered what this one looked like. The bastardized windows exposed on the sides before didn't give me much hope. It doens't look like there's much left of the original facade but I'm excited to see what a modern adaptation could look like.

SteelTown · #6 Posted **Jul 24, 2010, 1:11 AM**

Oh this is the building next to the Tivoli. Nice to see the siding being removed.

matt602 · #7 Posted **Jul 25, 2010, 5:11 PM**

I noticed the new windows on a friday night drunken wander. It looks absolutely amazing.

LikeHamilton · #8 Posted **Jul 25, 2010, 7:40 PM**

Picture taken 25 July 2010

FRM · #9 Posted **Jul 25, 2010, 8:35 PM**

Wow was all that glass underneath that ugly cladding all this time?? this building is gonna look even better once its completed, Can't wait to see james st. in a couple of years once some of the other projects hopefully get off the ground

SteelTown · #10 Posted **Jul 25, 2010, 9:05 PM**

Thanks LikeHamilton!

Before
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=1...4.78,,0,-13.87

block43 · #11 Posted **Jul 26, 2010, 1:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRM

Wow was all that glass underneath that ugly cladding all this time?? this building is gonna look even better once its completed, Can't wait to see james st. in a couple of years once some of the other projects hopefully get off the ground

Nope, the glass was just put in last week. Looks similar to the original design of the building though (there is an old picture of it in the window on the ground floor).

SteelTown · #12 Posted **Jul 26, 2010, 2:52 PM**

Looking closer inside the 3rd floor it looks like there's skylights.

oldcoote · #13 Posted **Jul 26, 2010, 6:58 PM**

The interior is huge (21,000 sq feet) with hardwood floors, exposed brick and high ceilings. I believe Curran is taking about 2/3 of the top floor only.
When this is done, it will be jaw-dropping.

DC1983 · #14 Posted **May 4, 2011, 6:08 PM**

From Today:

Source: Me

New windows went in a couple weeks ago, spandrels last week. I believe the yellow insulation will be replaced w/ restored decorative glass plates which were removed for the reno.

DC1983 · #15 Posted **May 4, 2011, 6:09 PM**

Here is what Thier + Curran Architects offices (inside) look like:

http://www.tcarch.ca/projects.php?projectID=124

SteelTown · #16 Posted **May 13, 2011, 12:31 AM**

Looks like Chuck Gammage Animation is relocating from Toronto to take over the rest of this building.

LikeHamilton · #17 Posted **May 13, 2011, 2:03 AM**

This was announced at the Hamilton Economic Summit today. Pipeline Studios @ 222 Main St West is the building on the corner of Queen and Main that was newly renovated. They are bringing about 100 animators to Hamilton. Both they and Chuck Gammage Animation moving into 118-124 James Street North are coming here because of the new art scene on James and Hess Village. They apparently love the atmosphere and the vibe of the two neighbourhoods.

mishap · #18 Posted **May 13, 2011, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

They apparently love the atmosphere and the vibe of the two neighbourhoods.

I'm sure they love the tax breaks, too. Not complaining though, very happy to have them here.

DC1983 · #19 Posted **May 15, 2011, 1:07 AM**

I love this! Creative neighbourhood attracting a Creative class in Hamilton!
JamesNorth.. the new Gay Village!? LMAO
(I already see Xtra! & Fabs distributed around the hood!)

Dr Awesomesauce · #20 Posted **May 15, 2011, 4:05 AM**

I'm interested to see what goes in at street-level. I can only assume they'd like to attract a cafe or restaurant. It's such a great space.