Hamilton Waterfront

[LRTfan]

My heart wants to go with Core Urban and their amazing line up of local business leaders ready to open on site...Relay Coffee, Equal Parts Hospitality, Other Bird etc..... but the design is very sub-par. Zero public gathering plazas or patio zones.

I think the best of all worlds is Waterfront Shores. LOVE the architecture, love the greenway design and they seem to have the most ground floor retail/patio/commercial space than the other designs. To me it is a MUST to have patio/dining/public seating areas throughout this district.

I love the architecture and public realm design of Gulf Dream, and really like their plaza area in front of the proposed AGH, but they only have 2 spots for retail/patio space. Not nearly enough for a site of this size and scale.

Tridel does a great job of having a mix of residents from kids/families to seniors. Also a nice commercial/patio component and very cool Euro-waterfront architecture. Great greenway design and public realm as well.

Sadly, the public realm, weird looking alleyway green paths and lack of public seating/gathering/amenities in the Core Urban one make it my last choice.

Any of the first 3 would be awesome, but I would probably say Waterfront Shore and Tridel are my top 2, in order.

I hope the city isn't swayed by all the local business folks in the Core Urban plan because I feel it has big bust potential....bland design, no gathering areas etc.....


Also, am I the only one completely shocked by the fact that along the entire northern part of the site - with the BEST views of the water - there is NO retail/commercial space. In fact, there is a ROAD with 12-foot wide lanes proposed cutting off the Hammer public park with the neighbourhood. I mean, I know it's Hamilton and we love our roads, but really?

One of the proposals shows the waterfront in Hamburg, Germany. Loaded with people on a huge patio directly facing the water. How on earth did we supposedly learn from the worlds best and end up with a street facing the water and zero people-gathering/patio/restaurant space???