The Royal Connaught: Penthouse Collection Coming Soon!

Hidden behind the veil of its industrial reputation, a grassroots cultural revival has quietly been brewing in Hamilton, Ontario. Over the last several years artists have been occupying and transforming formerly abandoned historical buildings into art galleries, shops, restaurants, and coffeehouses. This burgeoning arts and cultural renaissance has attracted a host of young people and entrepreneurs as the city’s downtown core continues to revitalize. In the midst of this transformation the city’s historical hotel, The Royal Connaught, is being “reimaged, revitalized, and reborn” as a luxury condominium, thereby joining Hamilton’s metamorphosis and preparing to accommodate the migration of individuals attracted to the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Fortunately, The Royal Connaught will be previewing it’s 15 penthouse suites on Thursday February 5th for those interested in viewing this revitalized historic landmark.

Via Spallacci Group and Valery Homes

Historic architecture meets contemporary design

The Royal Connaught has been a Hamilton landmark since 1916, and played host to a number of guests including prime ministers, royalty and even several Hollywood stars. “The Residences of Royal Connaught is special,” explains President of Valery Homes Ted Valeri, “with such an impressive legacy and priceless restored historic features, it is truly one-of-a-kind and can never be replicated, so it’s only fitting that the Penthouse Collection will be truly exquisite.”

The Royal Connaught’s lobby, featuring two-storey windows and columns, is illuminated by crystal chandeliers and portions of the original limestone flooring from 1914. This mix of Art Deco and contemporary design reflects the greater downtown core, which is a blend of historic architecture and contemporary design elements. The luxurious lobby is also outfitted with an espresso bar, a baby grand piano, a lounge space, and a wall highlighting the hotel’s history, while the Mezzanine level offers a gym overlooking the main entrance. In addition to this state-of-the-art fitness centre, the Royal Connaught is furnished with a rooftop amenity complex with 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor recreation and social space. Watch a film in the theatre room, entertain guests in the party lounge, relax for an evening in the gaming room, or spend an evening with friends around the outdoor fire-pits.

Via Spallacci Group and Valery Homes

The Spallacci Group and Valery Homes have a reputation for building beautiful and innovative custom condominiums, and the refurbished Royal Connaught is no exception. With only a few units on the penthouse levels, these unique residences offer a sense of privacy in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown core. “The Penthouse Collection offers buyers the best of both worlds,” remarks President of the Spallacci Group, Rudi Spallacci. “It’s spacious and sophisticated with room for entertaining at an address that is immersed in the centre of all that downtown has to offer, yet the suites are incredibly quiet and serene, secluded from the city below.”

This serene atmosphere is achieved with oversized windows overlooking the escarpment or the lush Gore Park. Combined with 16’ ceilings and open-concept living areas, these windows create a dramatic and bright space that combines the building’s original detailing with contemporary design. The penthouse units also feature beautiful kitchens furnished with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, designer cabinetry, and beautiful granite countertops, while the master bedrooms and ensuites encourage relaxation with it’s serene lighting, large soaker tubs, and rain showerheads.

Via Spallacci Group and Valery Homes

A cultural renaissance in the heart of Hamilton

The Royal Connaught is not the only site undergoing a major transformation in the neighbourhood. The condo is located along the edge of Gore Park, a Victorian promenade currently the focus of a major revitalization project that will bring musicians, art vendors, and festivals to the European-style green public space. The Royal Connaught is also steps from the Hamilton Public Library, a newly renovated public space outfitted with glass walls and modular furniture. This contemporary and bright design allows the interior activity to be seen from the street and connects the community to the space, and has helped to renew interest in the downtown core. The library is connected to the recently restored Hamilton Farmer’s Market. With over 70 vendors, public seating, seasonal events, a community kitchen to host classes and workshops, and an outdoor space for vendors during the summer months, the Farmer’s Market is a hive of activity on Sunday mornings and a great way to support healthy eating and local farmers.

In addition to the central Farmer’s Market, Hamilton is home to a rich food and dining culture. The independent Mulberry Street Coffeehouse (the same owners of My Dog Joe) is located in a landmark building dating back to 1887 on James Street North, in the midst of an up-and-coming local food scene. Nearby restaurant Radius is also nestled in an historic building and offers food grown locally at their farm in Carlisle. Other neighbourhood hot spots include The Burnt Tongue,  The Brain, a bar/modern art museum owned by native Hamilton musicians Junior Boys, and The Ship, a great bar and restaurant stocked with board games and local craft beer.

Hamilton’s art scene has been steadily growing over the last ten years. The proximity to McMaster University and Mohawk College has supplied Hamilton with a number of talented visual artists, artisans, and musicians who have set up galleries, shops, and music venues in the downtown core. This congregation of artists has resulted in a monthly ART CRAWL on James North showcasing Hamilton’s music and visual art scene. This event has grown in popularity and since expanded to include the SUPERCRAWL, attracting national and international performers including A Tribe Called Red, Spoon, Four Tet, Broken Social Scene, and Kevin Drew. Hamilton is also home to a number of excellent art spaces, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton regularly features a number of Canadian artists, as well as internationally renowned exhibits.

Via royalconnaught.com

This rich arts culture has produced an excellent shopping scene in downtown Hamilton. Head to James Street West and check out the independent boutiques, or spend the afternoon wandering along Locke Street and browse the antique stores, stop in at Epic Books, and pick up some Canadian-made goods at Canoe.

For those who prefer to spend time outdoors, Hamilton is home to some of Ontario’s most beautiful waterfalls. Spend an afternoon picnicking and enjoying the panoramic views at Spencer’s Gorge and Webster’s Falls, hop on a bicycle and tour the waterfront trail in Cootes Paradise, go for a hike along the Bruce Trail System in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, or simply head to Churchill Park and visit the aviary. Whether you’re looking for shopping, dining, or outdoor recreation, Hamilton is awash in hidden gems waiting to be discovered and explored.

For those who would like to live in the heart of Hamilton’s cultural scene, the Royal Connaught’s elegant and fully customizable designs ranging from 555 to 1,473 square feet are available starting from $499,990, and provide an opportunity to live in a piece of Hamilton’s history. For more information on the Royal Connaught and the preview event on Thursday February 5th, visit www.royalconnaught.com and be sure to register here.