May 15, 2019

Uprising of Connolly, fusing historic church façade with contemporary design

May 14, 2019 (Hamilton, ON) – After standing derelict for years, the James Street Baptist Church is being resurrected as a contemporary destination in Hamilton’s downtown. Thoughtfully blending the famed church façade with modern architecture, Connolly, by Hue Developments and LCH Developments, will become a marquee building that defines Hamilton’s skyline.

The 30-storey mixed-use tower will become a significant cultural asset in the city, with residential units, a ground floor commercial space, amenities and one of Canada’s first fully-automated parking systems.

Located at the corner of James St. S. and Jackson St. W., Connolly marks the first project by Hue Developments, the Canadian arm of leading Vietnamese developer Hoa Binh Corporation (HBC). Traded on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, HBC is one of Southeast Asia’s top developers, with over 20 years of real estate and construction experience internationally.

“Having lived in Hamilton, I’ve always admired the heritage buildings preserved in this city, so the church’s façade was a natural draw. Connolly presented the perfect opportunity to bring our expertise to Canada by creating a sophisticated building that complements its surroundings,” says Allen Le Nam, CEO of Hue Developments.

Connolly’s ambitious design is one of the largest façade conservation projects in the region – nearly 20,000 stones will need to be stabilized prior to construction, and a new wall structure will be poured in to stabilize the façade’s walls below grade.

“Our biggest focus since taking over this project has been to do a better job at showcasing the church, and re-integrating it into the building and community. We recognize Connolly’s impact will be greater than just the building – we are filling a void in Hamilton,” says Luke Wywrot, Managing Partner of LCH.

Helming the transformation of this local landmark into premier lofts and condominium units is mcCallumSather, the architecture, interior design and heritage conservation firm behind Connolly.

“Connolly is a meaningful re-interpretation of a significant heritage landmark that holds a powerful connection to our collective memory. The tower is juxtaposed against the historic asset and speaks to its modern urban context. We look forward to seeing the community engage with our contemporary design and this important part of Hamilton’s history,” says Drew Hauser, Director at mcCallumSather.

Thoughtfully incorporating many of the church’s points of beauty into the interiors, Connolly ensures both the public and residents can celebrate its architectural heritage. One-of-a-kind features integrated into the amenities and commercial space include stained-glass windows, high ceilings, and exposed stones.

With an arched, two-storey high entrance, and modern porcelain and wood finishes, Connolly’s lobby evokes the church’s ambiance and elegance. A backlit wall with rich wood and stone textures emulates a stained-glass window, adding a striking yet subtle feature.

Residents will benefit from over 7,000 sq. ft. of amenity space, thoughtfully designed to support their healthy and social urban lifestyles. Connolly’s most iconic feature, the rose window that spans 30 feet across the façade, will form the centre of the state-of-the-art gym. Other amenities include a co-working space, an entertainment and game lounge that opens up to a landscaped terrace, and a solarium. On the ground floor, the commercial space, which spills out to an outdoor patio, is ideally suited for a restaurant, animating this stretch of downtown and providing a vibrant amenity for the community.

Nestled in the Durand neighbourhood, Connolly is just steps away from the Hamilton GO Centre Station, providing quick and easy access to the GTA. The station will also be a stop along the planned Hamilton LRT. Within close proximity to James St. N.’s great shops and restaurants as well as some of the city’s most important institutions such as McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Hospital, the community is the embodiment of every urbanite’s dream.

Connolly will go on sale this fall. The sales centre will be located at the St. Jean Realty office (88 Wilson St W #2, Ancaster). For more information, and to register for VIP access, please visit: https://connollyhamilton.com/

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