Hamilton 152 King Street West | 41m | 12s | Vrancor + Equal Parts

[KingJames]

It seems like a very interesting approach, given that they are going to town on the back portion . Wouldn't they need to stabilize the front wall with something more rugged than scaffolding?

 

[Chris R.]

I don't imagine any part of the structure will remain. They may be required to maintain parts for heritage reasons. And it remains to be seen if those will be utilized in the rebuilt version. It surely won't be a brick structure as it is today if rebuilt.

 

[Chronamut]

I don't imagine any part of the structure will remain. They may be required to maintain parts for heritage reasons. And it remains to be seen if those will be utilized in the rebuilt version. It surely won't be a brick structure as it is today if rebuilt.

Yeah that is what I was thinking. My thinking is they will remove the windows and pediments, due to the william-thomas-esque clause that you have to retain the exterior facade for heritage buildings (although I am unsure if this is classified as "heritage"), demolish the building, rebuild the 3 stories and then re-apply the windows and pediments and lintels. I actually like the new windows they are applying on the side - and the main first floor looks very spacious inside so glad that is being kept and not being swallowed up by other stuff

As soon as you demolish it to that extent the building code grandfathered in protections for old buildings no longer apply and you have to build it with modern standards - either treated wood (often glulam for large beams since we don't make a habit of cutting down old growth forests anymore) or steel frame construction.

 

[70Challenger]

The Hamilton House Hotel (Later the Regal Hotel). Built c.1850, It was a real Italianate gem with a lot of ornate detailing lost over time, and covered up with the worst stucco (?) I've ever seen. You can see the North wing was once longer and had storefronts. I really hope the facades will be preserved and restored.

BTW the posted render likely won't be the final design. Hope those fake "heritage" windows along Bay Street get revised, they aren't in keeping at all with the original design's Italianate proportions.

 

[Chronamut]

View attachment 729724

The Hamilton House Hotel (Later the Regal Tavern). Built c.1850, It was a real Italianate gem with a lot of ornate detailing lost over time, and covered up with the worst stucco (?) I've ever seen. You can see the North wing was once longer and had storefronts. I really hope the facades will be preserved and restored.

BTW the posted render likely won't be the final design. Hope those fake "heritage" windows along Bay Street get revised, they aren't in keeping at all with the original design's Italianate proportions.

The original design's italianate proportions have long since been butchered, at this point there is very little of the original character left, with the windows essentially being all that is left. Let us just be happy SOMETHING is being done with it.