Hamilton's Design Review Panel Reviews Gore Park Mixed-Use Development

Hamilton's Design Review Panel reviewed a two-phase proposal near Gore Park that would add a 12-storey mixed-use building with 159 residential units and about 524 square metres of ground-floor commercial space. The plan also includes the adaptive reuse of an existing 10-storey office building at 4 Houston Street South, including a two-storey addition. Panel discussion focused on the proposal's height, heritage treatment, street-level activity, pedestrian access, shadow impacts and relationship to a future second phase.

Topics Discussed

HOUSING AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

The first phase would include 159 units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom suites, and about 524 square metres of ground-floor commercial space. The existing 10-storey building at 4 Houston Street South would be retained and converted to residential use, with a two-storey addition.

Edward Winter described the proposal as "a phase one of two phases consisting of a 12-story mixed-use building with 159 units and approximately 524 square meters of ground floor commercial space." He said the residential units would include studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom layouts.

The development team is also exploring affordable housing. One presenter said the project was "also exploring opportunities for affordable housing," which would support the city's housing and intensification objectives.

Panel member Eric said he "really love[d] the retention of the existing office building" and its conversion to residential use, calling it "a good way to provide housing going forward for the municipality."

HEIGHT, MASSING AND GORE PARK

The proposal requires zoning relief for its 12-storey height. The project team said the official plan allows buildings of up to 12 storeys where compatibility can be demonstrated.

Chloe said the design would reinforce the street wall, provide active commercial uses at grade, and use stepbacks to reduce wind and shadow impacts. She also said the building's massing and materials would complement the heritage character of the Gore.

The proposal includes a five-storey street wall facing Gore Park and upper-level stepbacks. The meeting material stated that the design would create "no net new shadow" on the park. Visual studies from King Street at James Street and Hughson Street indicated that key views toward the Escarpment would remain open.

STREET-LEVEL RETAIL AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

The proposal maintains commercial space along King Street East and Hughson Street. Loading, garbage collection and moving-truck access would be routed through the rear alley between Hughson and James streets, with no vehicle access from King Street.

Panel members asked the project team to increase active uses at street level and reduce the amount of frontage occupied by private residential lobbies. One panelist asked: "How can we unlock more active at grade uses along the street?"

Panelists also discussed the sidewalk, tree pits and fire-hydrant location. They recommended coordination with city staff to create a clearer pedestrian connection between the building entrance and Gore Park.

HERITAGE AND BUILDING MATERIALS

The proposal would fill a gap created by the loss of former heritage street-wall buildings. The project team is considering reusing salvaged brackets, cornices, transom stones and decorative masonry flowers.

The proposed development would retain and adaptively reuse the listed heritage property at 4 Houston Street South. The project team said this would maintain the building's historic relationship with King Street East and Gore Park.

Panel members asked that salvaged materials be incorporated into the exterior rather than displayed only inside. They also questioned the use of EIFS and requested more durable, heritage-compatible materials.

The development team said it was "exploring limestone pre-cast elements" and other "more authentic materials" for the first four or five storeys. One presenter said the project was "looking at using higher end material finishes" around the podium and other pedestrian-level areas.

Eric said the proposal could restore "the scale and materiality and fine grain nature of the heritage buildings that were lost." He added that the approach could improve the office conversion building by bringing "that character and history back to this site."

FUTURE PHASE AND DESIGN REVISIONS

The panel asked how the first phase would connect with a planned second phase containing a continuous 12-storey element. Members requested a coordinated design approach for the larger block.

The project team acknowledged that some elements, including the building's darker banding, require additional design development during the site plan process. Other topics included rooftop amenities, underground parking, bicycle storage, a pet run, laundry facilities and a rooftop terrace with a recessed pool.

Motions

• No formal motions were identified as passed, rejected or deferred in the provided meeting material.

Attendees

• No councillors were identified as present in the provided meeting material.
• Named participants included City Urban Designer Edward Winter, Development Planner Abdullah Pasha, lead planner Joseph San Severino, and presenters identified as Chloe, Shem and Eric.