Developer pitches three new condo towers near Hamilton’s St. Joe’s hospital

A plan for three condo towers at the foot of the escarpment across from St. Joseph's hospital is expected to be before city councillors early next year.

Spallacci & Sons Ltd. aims to build 773 units in towers of 22, 24 and 25 storeys on John Street South and St. Joseph's Drive next to a city park.

We're very excited that we're going to create something that's iconic," said Sergio Manchia, a planning consultant with Urban Solutions.

The Metro condo complex is to replace a five-storey apartment building on a sloping lot where John Street South meets Arkledun Avenue, which turns into the Jolly Cut. The footprint also includes a parking lot at Charlton Avenue East.

They're going to protect those (existing) rentals within their stock and the rest is going to be for the market," Manchia said.

The design calls for the towers atop podiums that will have street-level commercial locales. Roughly 700 parking spaces will be split between the podiums and underground levels.

The development plan, which has undergone a few revisions, needs council approval for zoning and official plan changes to allow for its higher density.

Coun. Jason Farr, who represents the bustling area, said he's very pleased" with the plan.

I can confidently tell you that this is very much a project that is not being sidelined for any reason."

The existing height permission in the area is eight storeys. But the Corktown neighbourhood already has its share of highrise buildings, including the 33-storey Olympia on Charlton Avenue East.

Not everyone is thrilled with the potential addition of three residential towers and hundreds of automobiles.

There are many pedestrians around Charlton and John, and emergency vehicles with the hospital nearby, says Mary-Jane Davidson, who lives in a four-storey co-op next to the site on St. Joseph's Drive.

It's just not an appropriate area, to be right across from a hospital, this mammoth complex that's going to add to all the traffic."

Manchia said his team felt comfortable" with a traffic justification study submitted in support of the project.

He also said some residents may not own cars. The complex will be close to the Hunter Street GO station and HSR stops. It certainly encourages people to leave their car at home and only use it when they need it."

Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com