Three 31 storey condo towers planned for downtown Hamilton parking lot

A block full of downtown Hamilton parking lots could soon become three towering highrises with over 900 apartments if a planned development breaks ground as expected.

The 41 Wilson St. project, between John and Hughson streets, now known as The Design District," is expected to become three 31-storey condominium towers, sitting on a multistorey podium filled with retail space.

Site renderings show an L-shaped structure, built around Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Hughson and Wilson - like a massive modern glass and steel trident hugging a 150-year-old red-brick chapel.

Emblem Developments, the Toronto-based company behind the project, plans for 931 one- to three-bedroom units.

For now the lot is still full of vehicles, but the last building standing on the John Street North side of the site was demolished in the spring and a wooden fence has been erected partially around the property.

The Design District" will be Emblem's second project in the city. They are also behind the 1 Jarvis development, a sold out" 15-storey residential tower under construction on the site of the former downtown Ticats office.

Last week, Emblem posted a registration site for potential buyers, where they are boasting designs by architect firm IBI Group that will surpass anything ever seen in Hamilton."

When shovels hit pavement at the 41 Wilson St. site, it could mark a long period of construction in that area. Right next door on Wilson, between James and John streets north, Aventus Development Corporation snapped up the Tivoli building and Centre Point plaza, promising the next chapter in the city's evolution."

The Spectator reached out to The City of Hamilton and Emblem Developments about construction plans, but neither indicated when work might commence.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com