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Downtown Sparrow

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Then and Now Hamilton

Then and Now Hamilton

In 2021, Ryan Moran began a project to “shine a light on bad developments and planning policies that have allowed for the proliferation of empty lots or other unconstructive developments in the city.”

This meant showcasing locations throughout downtown Hamilton where there are vacant, empty, or misused parcels of land and, using a before and after photo technique, demonstrating what used to occupy that space. The before and after picture sets below are an ongoing archive of Ryan’s work and will be kept up to date as long as he is producing this series.

Important – Slide the vertical bar either left or right to see the then and now shots. The then and now shots below are organized from most to least recent.

Toronto Dominion Bank and Imperial Bank of Canada / Parking Lot – April 1, 2021

Former Toronto-Dominion Bank (1913) and Imperial Bank of Canada (1899) buildings on James Street South between King Street and Main Street, demolished in 1959; now mostly a parking lot

Wentworth Arms Hotel / Parking Lot – March 25, 2021

Former Wentworth Arms Hotel (built in the early 1900s), destroyed by a fire in 1976 where there is now a parking lot

Royal Hotel / Hamilton City Centre Mall – March 18, 2021

Former Royal Hotel (1857-1935), which was destroyed in a fire, at James Street North and (former) Merrick Street where the Hamilton City Centre Mall is located (Built in 1990 and originally known as the Hamilton Eaton Centre)

Grand Opera / Centre Point Plaza – March 11, 2021

Former Grand Opera and hotel (later “the Grand”, then “the Granada”, and then the “Downtown”) on James Street North where the current Centre Point Plaza is located

Tivoli Theatre Building / Vacant Lot – March 4, 2021

Former TivolI theatre building on James Street North where there is now a vacant lot

Zeller’s / Jackson Square February 25, 2021

Former Zellers Department Store at the Corner of King William Street and James Street North where there is now a surface parking lot

Century Theatre / Vacant Lot – February 18, 2021

former Century (Lyric) Theatre on Mary Street between KIng Street East and King William Street where there is now a vacant lot

February 11, 2021 – Gore Park

Former Honey Dew Coffee Shop and Other Retail Establishments where ongoing development has been stalled for decades

King & James Streets / Jackson Square – February 4, 2021

Former Multi-Level business where the KIng Street & James Street entrance to Jackson Square is in 2021

January 28, 2021 – Robinson’s / James Street South

Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East
Another, more recent, view of the Former Robinson’s Department Store on James Street South Close to King Street East

Source – Ongoing social media posts by Ryan Moran