Former East Hamilton hotel and bar to find new life as supportive housing

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Published May 11, 2021 at 8:04 am

The new owner of the historic building at the corner of Ottawa Street and Cannon revealed Tuesday (May 11) the big plans for the site which will bring new life and positivity to the long-derelict building.

Hamilton-based Indwell, the charity dedicated to developing affordable housing in communities across the province, is the new owner of 180 Ottawa St. N and they plan to convert the former hotel/bar into 12 supportive housing units which will be available to house tenants by the end of 2021.

“Spaces that have long been derelict will be coming back into vibrant and usefulness,” said Indwell’s director of projects and development, Graham Cubitt, during a virtual tour of the property.

“Useful for the community and tenants living there.”

Cubitt shared some of the details of the already-in-progress transformation of the property and some pictures of the interior as it looks today.

Over the years, numerous fires and water damage have taken a toll on the building but Cubitt said the structure itself is sound and after demolishing the interior to the studs, Indwell will be able to bring the entire building up to modern standards and efficiencies by employing passive house design principles.

“We know that many times peoples’ lives unravelled for one reason or next and same with
buildings,” Cubitt said.

“We know that new homes can bring new life for people.”

The ground floor of the building, which at one time housed one of Hamilton’s most notorious watering holes, CD’s Sports Bar, will also be completely renovated for commercial use.

“We’ll be seeking a commercial tenant that shares our values of dignity, hope and love, similar to other Indwell partners,” the charity’s website says of the project.

Indwell will be working with the Hamilton Regional Indian Center and Sacajawea to support the building’s future occupants.

Cubitt said Indwell plans to keep providing updates on the project’s progress but Indwell expects to have tenants housed by the end of 2021.

For more information on 180 Ottawa St. visit Indwell’s website.

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