Comment 72477

By Sigma Cub (anonymous) | Posted December 22, 2011 at 08:23:22 in reply to Comment 72470

Talk to neighbourhood associations, specifically the Durane Neighbourhood Association, about to enter its 40th year. Despite the DNA's numerous successes, there are also inconsistencies, and the Thistle Club site would still be a mud lot if the development discussion was still on the tenor of the late 80s, when that development saga began.

http://www.durandna.com/history.htm

As for the Staybridge? It's, well, a hotel. Adding 12 floors would have changed the project costs and therefore timeline, which would mean that you'd be currently looking at a dirt lot with a fence around it. Despite the self-interested spin of Tourism Hamilton, downtown hotel capacity is only an issue when the city is hosting major conferences or large sporting invitationals downtown.

In general, though, demand is pretty thin, generally hovering around 50% occupancy, which is below London, K/W/Cambridge/Guelph, the entirety of the GTA and the provincial average. That's one reason why the Connaught is doing so well and the Crowne Plaza owner cut bait to go work on the mountain. (Your diagnosis of the Hamilton Grand, another dirt lot, is up to you.) And of course, Mr. Vranich also owns the 18-storey Sheraton two blocks to the NE, which creates ample reason not to be unduly competitive.

In general, though, it's easier to overcome zoning restrictions than neighbourhood objections.

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