The importance of architecture

It’s no secret that downtown Hamilton — indeed the entire city — is in the midst of a renaissance. Real estate prices are soaring as word of the city’s many unique and attractive offerings reach beyond our borders.

The result is a new housing boom in the core, mostly in the form of condominiums and apartment towers. There are now an estimated 1,500 units proposed or under construction in the core, including:

The Connelly, a 259-unit highrise that will incorporate a historic church on James Street South

The Acclamation condominiums, a 71-unit project on James Street North

The Royal Connaught, a 224-unit project underway at Gore Park

The former Tivoli site is to become a 106-unit condominium tower

The new building at the West Harbour Go station with 75 units

That is only a partial list, and many others remain unannounced but anticipated, including a substantial redevelopment on the waterfront lands and other north-end properties.

The challenge for Hamilton in these heady days is to manage the growth responsibly and leverage it most effectively. We cannot afford to discourage development or turn it away, but neither can we allow good planning and design principles to be shunted aside.

Meanwhile, it would be nice to see some true architectural gems emerge from the process. A signature building or two always helps, and in some cases can transform a city. Often, as with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, or even Toronto’s City Hall, the buildings were done with public money and signalled a new era of prosperity for their communities.

But many signature buildings come from the private sector also. Perhaps the best nearby example of a signature building is the Absolute World residential condominium project, with its nicknamed “Marilyn Monroe” tower that gives the Mississauga skyline a unique signature.

If only Hamilton could inspire such creativity. If only our developers were to recognize the underlying greatness and unlimited potential of this community, and build something that people around the world will talk about — and come to visit.

There is nothing particularly wrong with shiny green and blue condominium towers, but there is nothing particularly remarkable about them either. We should strive for the best.

Meanwhile, remarkable architecture isn’t enough on its own. These new buildings must not only enhance our skyline, but our street life. They must enhance their neighbourhoods, not overwhelm them.

It’s a challenge for us all.