As part of Hamilton’s downtown renewal plan, the historic Royal Connaught Hotel site is being refashioned as The Residences of Royal Connaught, a condominium development that will reclaim a city block in Hamilton’s Gore Park district. Preserving the original Edwardian-façade of the existing buildings, The Residences of Royal Connaught, by Valery Homes and Spallacci Group, will introduce 700 new residential condominium units into the heart of the city.
Integral to the project is the launch of over 13,000 square feet of boutique retail that will revitalize a commercial footprint that wraps from King Street along Catherine street to Main. A new seven-storey podium designed to complement the historical façade of the Connaught Hotel will anchor the residential community and feature a galleria including restaurants, cafes, and shops mixed with pedestrian spaces at ground level, and a public square with outdoor seating.
Previous revitalization projects by Spallacci Group include West Avenue Residences in North Hamilton converting an 1885 heritage schoolhouse into a LEED-certified residence, and Terraces on King, rejuvenating a large portion of Hamilton’s International Village.
Set to open in summer 2013, the presentation centre will be located in the hotel’s three-storey art deco lobby and feature the signature glass staircase and mezzanine, a grand piano, coffee bar and sleek deco contemporary furniture. The presentation centre will eventually transition into the main lobby and reception area for the residence.
As a nod to those who have stayed, played and entertained at the Royal Connaught, a feature gallery wall with black and white graphics will showcase the hotel’s celebrated history and over-sized portraits of its esteemed guests. “We need the Connaught to come back to life so people in the city as well as the rest of the world understand that Hamilton is on the move again,” says Mayor Bob Bratina.
A complete interior reconstruction of Connaught’s upper floors will connect to three new residential point towers. Modern smoked grey glazing will juxtapose the historic nature of the former hotel buildings. Designed by KNY Architects, with interior design by LB Design, an expansive eighth floor rooftop playground will connect the new residential towers offering condo residents over 35,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor recreation and social space.