Hamilton’s industrial exterior has been chipped away in recent years to reveal a soft underbelly of thriving arts and entertainment, rich culture and diverse dining opportunities. Home to Canada’s top research hospitals, McMaster University and Mohawk College, Hamilton is reinventing itself as a hub for innovators and creatives alike.
On July 20th, EMBLEM Developments officially launched its own contribution to the changing face of Hamilton.
EMBLEM Developments is one of the fastest-growing real estate development companies in the Greater Toronto Area, focusing on high-rise residential buildings. The multi-award-winning firm’s current development portfolio consists of over 4,300 residences representing over $3.3 billion development value in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton and Ottawa.
The Design District at 41 Wilson Street serves as a symbol of EMBLEM’s belief in the future of Hamilton. Standing tall against a sea of preserved historic buildings and well-loved retail space, these three connected 31-storey towers will house 931 luxury suites. Interiors designed by Burdifilek, a Toronto-based design firm, boast sleek modern layouts and high-quality finishes. Amenities within the building include a gym, outdoor pool, co-working space, yoga studio and party room for residents to enjoy.
Just below the soaring new landmark lies all the best of what downtown Hamilton has to offer. Coffee shops, restaurants, breweries and retail lines James Street North, giving future residents a year-round playground of amenities right next door. Carefully designed by IBI Group architects, The Design District features the latest in modern architecture without imposing on surrounding structures.
To honour the history that Hamilton has become so known for, the towers of The Design District were intentionally positioned to act as a backdrop for the 1868 Gothic Revival-style church that lies on the corner of the property. Clean lines and black and white tones were chosen for the exterior to highlight the red brick of the historic church. This act of homage sets the tone for how EMBLEM intends to integrate into the existing community — honouring the past while looking towards the future.
History isn’t Hamilton’s only unique quality. Thanks to its geographic position between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, the city is split in half by a natural ridge, meaning uptown really is “up” and downtown really is “down.” Hiking trails and conservation areas are scattered throughout Hamilton from its outskirts to its shoreline, giving residents plenty of nearby green space even in the most urbanized sections of the city.
A magnet for investment, Hamilton — and especially its downtown sector — is getting a $500 million investment into a new entertainment hub and the revitalization of existing venues: the FirstOntario Concert Hall, the FirstOntario Centre, the Hamilton Convention Centre and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
A $400 million investment from Bell will also be the most significant digital infrastructure investment in the city’s history. A $140 million redevelopment project on the waterfront will transform the harbour into a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly community with a commercial village and a public plaza. The combined investment exceeding $1 billion is unprecedented in a community the size of Hamilton and lends itself as a major catalyst for growth.
The cherry on top? An additional $3.4 billion is being invested in an upcoming 14km light rail transit line with 17 stops to accommodate Hamilton’s new and growing workforce.
With the launch of The Design District, EMBLEM is making an optimistic statement about the future of this changing city.
For more information or to pre-register for this community, visit emblemdevcorp.com
