Proposal includes 13 apartment towers (pictured). Photo credit: Harrison Equity Partners
In March 2022, Harrison Equity Partners, the company that owns Eastgate Square, announced that they were planning to redevelop the mall to add residential buildings to the property. While Harrison Equity Partners announced their plan back in March, it did not include details until the initial concept proposal was released last week.
The proposal surprised some locals when it was revealed that the plan is to build 13 apartment towers on the site, which would increase the local population by approximately 9,000 people. The residential developments would be located on the southern portion of the property near the old Sears location and the western portion of the property (currently a largely empty parking lot).
The plan includes two 25-storey towers, two 18-storey towers, four 20-storey towers, one 24-storey tower, one 16-storey tower, one 15-storey tower, one 37-storey tower, and one 42-storey tower as well as two rows of townhouses along Kenora Avenue. Each tower would also have a six-storey podium for parking, ground-level retail, and additional residential units.
The development would take place in three stages, with the tallest towers built last. A new public road is also proposed connecting Kenora Avenue to Centennial Parkway North and a public park would also be created.
The proposal is currently being reviewed by city staff who could propose amendments to the plan. Parts of the plan would also have to be approved by City Council. There is no known timeline for the project’s completion at this time, although the project likely would not start until the late 2020s.
Eastgate Square is seen as a high-demand area for residential development due to the forthcoming LRT that will run from McMaster University to the mall and the eventual opening of the Centennial Parkway Confederation GO station.
As for the mall itself, the existing building would more or less remain the same. However, the Beer Store and the former Sears location would have to be demolished. The northern portion of the mall, including Fortinos, LCBO, Dollarama, Winners, and Sportchek would be preserved. It’s unclear whether the Shoppers Drug Mart location would remain untouched or whether it would be moved further north.
There has inevitably been backlash from some residents about the development proposal, particularly the number of buildings and the density. Concerns raised on social media mainly centre around traffic concerns and the character change of the area that would result. The plans for the 42-storey tower have been the primary target of some of these criticisms.
It should be noted that residential proposals such as this one usually “aim high” in their initial concept proposals before settling for smaller towers after negotiations with the city. Whether or not that will happen with this proposal remains to be seen.
Other Hamiltonians strongly support the project, contending that high-density developments are needed to bring down overall housing costs and support Hamilton’s growing population which is projected to hit 820,000 people by the year 2051.
Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Kevin Geenen reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He is a regular contributor with The Hamilton Independent and has also been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, Niagara Independent, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. He is known for Hamilton crime updates and social media news graphics. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal from Governor General David Johnston. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
