27-storey Corktown condos could start construction in Hamilton in late 2023
Published May 1, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Construction on a new condo development in Hamilton’s Corktown area is expected to break ground late this year or early next year.
The project from Slate Asset Management will go up in the city’s historic Corktown neighbourhood at 225 John St. S., and replace the Corktown Plaza. This is Slate’s first condominium project in Hamilton.
The Corktown Condos will go up in two phases — phase one, Corktown East, is a 27-storey tower with 372 units at Catharine Street South and Forest Avenue, and the second phase is a 14-storey, L-shaped building with 374 units, Brandon Donnelly the managing director of development at Slate Asset Management told intheHammer.
Plans for this development have been in the works for a few years. Slate bought the Corktown Plaza property in 2017. The initial plans were for 34- and 31-storey buildings but after a public meeting the tower heights were lowered in 2021.
Concerns in the public meeting included loss of views to the escarpment, keeping the heritage character of the neighbourhood, traffic congestion, and the need for a grocery store in the area.
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Donnelly said Slate heard those concerns.
The second phase of the project, the 14-storey mid-rise on John Street, will have space for commercial or retail businesses on the ground floor. But construction on this phase is not expected to be complete until 2029.
“It’s still early on for that project but we’ve heard the community loud and clear and so there’s retail incorporated,” said Donnely.
Slate also plans to retain the neighbourhood character by using bricks from the existing buildings and incorporating those in the second phase. This is “a nod to the bricklayers and Irish past of the Corktown area,” according to a press release from Slate.
“The design is intended to pick up on the natural characteristics of Hamilton – from the red-brick houses on the ground level to modern high rises in the downtown,” said Deni Poletti, principal, CORE Architects.
Construction on the 27-storey tower is expected to start in late 2023 or early 2024, and is slated to be complete in 2028.
Rooftop features for the tower include an indoor lounge along with an outdoor terrace, outdoor pool and fitness centre. Residents can catch views of the escarpment and Lake Ontario from the rooftop amenities.
“It’s pretty unique,” said Donnelly. “So no matter where you are, wherever your suite is in the building, you get to use these great amenities, you get a great outdoor terrace on the roof.”
Another prominent feature of the building is a plan to include a space for pop-up art displays from local artists in the lobby of the tower.
“One of the things that we’re really excited about with Hamilton in general, is there’s such a vibrant arts and culture scene that seems to be growing,” he added. “So we thought it’d be really great to incorporate these large art displays in the lobby.”
The interior design of the units is “taking inspiration from Hamilton’s industrial identity using steel, aluminum, and concrete finishes with a refined application to offer a sense of warmth and character.”
The tower will have a mix of studios, one-bedroom, one plus den, two-bedroom and two plus den suites ranging from 340 square feet to 851 square feet.
Prices start from the $300,000s.
Sales for units in the 27-storey tower will open at the end of May.
Slate is also working on an industrial development on the 800-acre former Stelco lands at the waterfront. Those plans are still in the early stages and it is not yet known what type of industry would be moving in. The building is expected to be up to 12 million square feet.
Slate is also behind condo developments — the Junction House and One Delisle in Toronto.
For more information and to register for Corktown condo unit visit https://corktown.condos/.
Editors note: This story was updated on June 2. An interior designer previously mentioned in the story is no longer working on the project.
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