Hamilton approves 45-storey lakeshore condo building

Hamilton city council has signed off on a 45-storey tower set to house 429 condos in the Pier 8 community on the lakeshore.

The development is expected to transform the 13-hectare former industrial shipping pier into a new mixed-use residential and commercial development. Developer Waterfront Shores was ecstatic about the decision to move forward saying it “will transform Hamilton to a world-class waterfront city and foster new opportunities that reimagine city placemaking.”

This building at 65 Guise St. is part of a larger 15-year plan which would see 1,645 residential units come to Pier 8. It’s also set to be completely carbon-neutral as directed by the city.

“With this landmark approval, Hamilton is well on its way to become a world-class waterfront city and we are proud to be one crucial step forward in making this a reality,” said Founder and Principal of Tercot Communities Joe Valela, “As the days come, we will review next steps with the City of Hamilton and work together to see how the project will evolve.”

(Tercot Communities is one of a few partners behind Waterfront Shores alongside Cityzen Development Group and Greybrook Realty Partners.)

The City of Hamilton and Waterfront Shores Corporation negotiated a short-term lease (of up to five years) to use a portion of the Discovery Centre building for a sales centre. The lease is now in place and Waterfront Shores is applying for building permits to modify the sales centre.

This project has been in the works for five-years already, beginning in 2018. The 45-storey tower has drawn mixed reactions from the public but there are hopes it will stand out on the waterfront.

“The proposed tall building is intended to achieve landmark status serving as a visual anchor within the waterfront and contribute additional family-sized units relative to the proposed building height,” reads a report from Andrea Smith, senior development consultant for West Harbour Redevelopment.

“The thoughtful design for Block 16 and its exceptional standards for quality of life will bring unparalleled architecture and placemaking to Hamilton. Working with leading and world-renowned architect Bruce Kuwabara, founder of KPMB Architects, the development is set to be a new anchor for the waterfront,” reads a description from Waterfront Shores.