One of the most interesting cities in Canada from an urban perspective, Hamilton is filled with distinctive neighbourhoods. I've photographed many of them over the past couple years and I've decided to share them in this thread. I'll post one tour now, and if there are enough replies to get to the next page of the thread I'll post another one, and another one, and so on (I can't just post like 200 pics on one page or it would be impossible to look at!).
So check back often. If you like urban neighbourhoods, streetcar suburbs, Victorian rows, working class vernacular, mansions, shopping districts and a wide variety of residential architecture you won't be disappointed
Durand
Durand is situated at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment, just southwest of Downtown Hamilton. Not merely a couple of streets with nice homes--Durand is over 40 city blocks of incredible homes. Many architectural styles can be seen among these late nineteenth and early twentieth century stately homes and mansions. These pictures don't really do the neighbourhood justice, but here's a sampling of some of the homes:
One of the most beautiful cities in all of Canada in my opinion. Hamilton is like Pittsburgh. Beautiful, notorious and industrial yet very underexposed for its architectural legacy.
Dare I say that it is more aesthetically pleasing than Toronto from an architectural perspective.
I checked MLS, and some of these houses can be had for under $500K! Wealthy people here prefer to live in Ancaster, the mountain brow or along the harbour in Aldershot.
Like I said before, the more you dig into the Hammer the more you will find. Once the nice weather comes just take a random bus into the lower city and walk around for an hour or two. You'll always find something amazing.
What Hamilton needs is a government that pays attention to its inner city and east city urban development. Simple city greening and demolition initiatives could help shake off the years of industrial rust and pollution which have made the city's image into a pariah of all things dirty. I have my office in Hamilton, near main and the 403, and I see the good and the bad all the time. But the worst is the unkept city core, the endless parking lots that are ill-maintained and empty most days. Some simple zoning changes and the re-use of these areas for parks and greens could change the core into a beautiful place to hang out, and would draw businesses scared away by the violence/homeless/addicted back to this area.
You are right about the problems with city government and perception but there has been too much demolition already and it hasn't helped anything. Crime is also average for a Canadian city, which is to say it's completely safe.
wow. i would love to live in most of those houses!! and for 600 to 800 K??? you wouldn't be able to get half of those houses here for under 4 or 5 million.
i have no preconceived notions about hamilton, in fact i don't know a single stereotype, generalization, or truth about the city (except what was commented on in your other thread) so this is a pretty good first impression!
Thanks everyone. Well, we made it to the second page and I promised a blue collar neighbourhood, so we'll go for a walk in the Gibson/Landsdale area in central Hamilton. These gritty neighbourhoods are a stark contrast to the splendour of Durand, and are what Hamilton is known for. Many people assume neighbourhoods that look like this are dangerous, but that is not the case here. I love walking through these neighbourhoods, they are very urban and have tons of character. If grit is not your thing, stay tuned because I have plenty more beautiful neighbourhoods coming up.
Skyway Bridge. Yes, that's where the Hamilton Beach Community is located, it has been undergoing a redevelopment over the last few years. I don't think flar has covered the area yet.
xzmattxz: under the skyway there is an old steel lift bridge and lighthouse, as well as the beach community SteelTown mentioned. Further along the lake side in Hamilton there is a beach and Centennial Park. On the north shore is downtown Burlington, which has a nice waterfront. The Hamilton Harbour side is all industrial.
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