Stoney Creek waterfront development is a ‘muted version’ of initial plan: developer
At 48, 54 and 59 storeys, the three towers would have been the tallest buildings in Hamilton.
But developer Jeff Paikin says the latest plan for Frances Avenue near the Stoney Creek waterfront is a muted version" of that.
It won't be as tall, but it will be tall."
More than 1,000 units but fewer than 1,600, says Paikin, president and co-founder of New Horizon Development Group.
The original vision for the project - which called for 1,836 units - has been refined after feedback from neighbours and the city, he says.
We've been working diligently with city design people to try to make this a win, win, win, and we're getting very close."
The property near Green Road across from two older residential highrises has no height restrictions, a legacy" policy that dates back decades, notes city planning director Steve Robichaud.
That site was always envisioned for apartment buildings going back to the '70s."
But the towers must fit" the area, says Robichaud, who characterizes the neighbourhood by the QEW as Hamilton's other waterfront."
Hamilton's tallest building is the 43-storey Landmark Place, a 1970s-era apartment building downtown at 100 Main St. E.
Something that rivals - or surpasses that - has no place in the Stoney Creek lakeside community, Viv Saunders says.
There is no logic," contends Saunders, a longtime Frances Avenue resident. Who would imagine this in a local neighbourhood dead-end road?"
The traffic has already thickened in the quiet lakeside area with denser townhouse developments in recent years, she says.
It's dangerous now," says Saunders, noting there are more cyclists and pedestrians on Frances accessing the waterfront trail. I just can't see adding that many more vehicles."
Paikin says the latest proposal will be pitched pretty soon" for site-plan approvals.
He expects the condos will appeal to first-time buyers who want a set price and don't want to compete with multiple offers in today's hot market.
But we won't be for sale until we get final permissions," he said. I can tell you in a perfect world, it would be a year from now.
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com