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SteelTown · #**201** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 11:06 AM**

Stinson's new hotel moves
Combined condo project gets more visibility downtown

April 13, 2009
Denise Davy
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/547490

Real estate developer Harry Stinson is moving ahead with plans to open a 13-storey hotel-condo venture downtown, but in a different location.

Stinson announced on Saturday that he has moved the location of his new hotel-condo venture - called the Hamilton Grand - to the southeast corner of John and Main streets, the site of a former Shell gas station.

It was originally to be located on the other side of John Street, on the site of the former Crazy Horse Saloon and the former Liaison College, between the Royal Connaught and the London Tap House.

Stinson said the new location will give the hotel more visibility.

The new hotel will have 177 suites and 39 offices, he said, plus restaurant and banquet rooms.

Stinson made the announcement during a luncheon at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, which drew close to 200 people.

He said the response to the new location was "hugely positive."

"The motivation is there and the momentum is there," said Stinson.

The boutique hotel will look like a 19th-century building, which Stinson said is "an appropriate feel for the downtown."

"It's a small version of the Connaught," he said.

Total project costs are estimated at $25 million and, said Stinson, will generate at least 100 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs in the hotel, restaurants and banquet centre.

Almost 100 suites have been sold at prices ranging from $199,000 for regular suites and $219,000 for penthouse.

Stinson said an added benefit to the city of Hamilton will be the higher property taxes.

He said, while Shell paid $21,000 in property taxes, the new property taxes would be closer to $700,000.

"This building will increase the value of that land to the city of Hamilton," he said.

Stinson said all of the purchasers who attended the luncheon signed the appropriate documentation to confirm their involvement.

"We will follow up with the rest of the folks this week," Stinson said.

Architects Hoordad Ghandehari and Reza Eslami were among those who attended the luncheon.

SteelTown · #**202** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 11:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

I like the galleria retail entrances on bowen and John and the main hotel entrance on Main.

I don't think there's a main hotel entrance on Main. Looks like there's two entrance, one at John and Bowen.

ryan_mcgreal · #**203** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 12:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by crhayes

What are you talking about?

That's just the sound of squelching. You're best to ignore it.

Millstone · #**204** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

That's just the sound of squelching. You're best to ignore it.

You're about a page late on that, bud. Got any more zingers from 2007 you'd like to share before we pack it in?

highwater · #**205** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:48 PM**

This is Hamilton. Squelching is never out of date.

SteelTown · #**206** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:56 PM**

Anyone know what kind of material will be used for the exterior? Pretty sure that's red bricks. Kinda worried about the base though.

realcity · #**207** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 2:19 PM**

check the layout. There's an entrance on Main, right in the middle of the building. Likely where a marquee or awning over entrance.

It will be an unfriendly entrance with the tiny sidewalk beside a massive highway.

I'd like to see the city (at least) remove the southern lane between John and Bowen. If not all the way to the first street east of Landmark Place.

And allow Stinson to use that lane as: temp parking for unloading; valet parking and some sort of extended over hang awning shelter if it's raining.

Similar to the Delta in London.

If the City doesn;t do something like this, it will be a matter of time before a hotel guest is killed by a speeding vehicle.

SteelTown · #**208** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 2:52 PM**

I see the door now, it's next to the stairs. Looks like a small door compared to John and Bowen.

markbarbera · #**209** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

check the layout. There's an entrance on Main, right in the middle of the building. Likely where a marquee or awning over entrance.

It will be an unfriendly entrance with the tiny sidewalk beside a massive highway.

I'd like to see the city (at least) remove the southern lane between John and Bowen. If not all the way to the first street east of Landmark Place.

And allow Stinson to use that lane as: temp parking for unloading; valet parking and some sort of extended over hang awning shelter if it's raining.

Similar to the Delta in London.

If the City doesn;t do something like this, it will be a matter of time before a hotel guest is killed by a speeding vehicle.

Just set the building facade back four feet and the sidewalk width issue is just as easily resolved - like what was done with Landmark Place (former Century 21) one block east. Encroachment on the current roadway would limit potential LRT and/or two way conversion options for Main.

Or here's a quick fix more in line with your idea: Make the southmost lane of Main at John a 'right-turn only' lane with a traffic calming extension to the sidewalk on the southeast corner of Main and John. southmost lane can then be free for pullover dropoffs and/or metered streetside parking. That a quick and easy retrofit that doesn't eliminate future redesigns of Main.

Jon Dalton · #**210** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

That's just the sound of squelching. You're best to ignore it.

Maybe it's the alternator belt?

realcity · #**211** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 6:05 PM**

realcity · #**212** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 6:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Stinson's new hotel moves
Combined condo project gets more visibility downtown
The boutique hotel will look like a 19th-century building, which Stinson said is "an appropriate feel for the downtown."

It is appropriate. I think anything over 10-floors is appropriate, im not picky.

But 19th century? I think it's more circa the first Connaught and similar to the annex design (colour, brick, embelishments), first decades of the 20th c.

The roofline is perhaps 1880s ish. I can't tell if it's going to be mansard or hip roof.

ryan_mcgreal · #**213** Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

The Olympia in the foreground and Landmark Place in the background with a flat expanse between them look rather like Tolkien's Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul gazing warily at each other across the Anduin...

/geek

BCTed · #**214** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 12:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

That's just the sound of squelching. You're best to ignore it.

Harry Stinson hasn't given this town any reason to believe in him.

realcity · #**215** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 1:08 AM**

but he's given Toronto enough for us to believe in him.

Millstone · #**216** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 1:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

but he's given Toronto enough for us to believe in him.

Yeah that Sapphire tower is really something.

BCTed · #**217** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 1:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcity

but he's given Toronto enough for us to believe in him.

He's given Toronto so much that it gave him a nice shiny boot in return.

astroblaster · #**218** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

The Olympia in the foreground and Landmark Place in the background with a flat expanse between them look rather like Tolkien's Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul gazing warily at each other across the Anduin...

Osgiliath would be owned by Darko Vranich. Set to be rebuilt and turned into a hotel sometime in the Second Age.

Hey Ryan, wanna play some dungeons and dragons?

adam · #**219** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 2:29 AM**

I guess it really bothers some people that Stinson is getting closer and closer to achieving something worthwhile in Hamilton.

BCTed · #**220** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 2:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam

I guess it really bothers some people that Stinson is getting closer and closer to achieving something worthwhile in Hamilton.

Closer and closer? This latest announcement is yet another fresh start.