[Paclo]

New Formal Consultation on the addresses 33-35 Hess Street South by DV Trillium Group (Vrancor) proposing an 8-storey hotel + restaurant designed by ZO1:

Structures at 33-35 Hess were demolished in October after sustaining damage from multiple fires

Vacant, fire-ravaged Hess Village building demolished

Fire-ravaged building at 33 Hess St. S had been judged unsafe

www.thespec.com

Details via The Spec article from October:

The building at 33 Hess — at the corner of George Street — formerly housed Hush nightclub. It was on the city’s vacant building registry from 2011 until this August, when its registration expired.
Hamilton fire extinguished two fires in less than two days at the vacant property earlier this month. A 24-year-old man who police believe was staying at the property is charged with arson in both fires.
The building also sustained about $1 million in damage in a January 2023 fire.

The demolition permit has been applied for and is being processed; however, in cases of “unsafe conditions,” a demolition permit can be obtained after the fact.
The city has also issued administrative penalties totalling $700 against the owner for failing to comply with repair orders earlier this year and for failing to register on the vacant building registry after its registration lapsed this summer.

Google Street View of the former structures on site from April 2025:

 

[Chris R.]

New Formal Consultation on the addresses 33-35 Hess Street South by DV Trillium Group (Vrancor) proposing an 8-storey hotel + restaurant designed by ZO1:
View attachment 717217
View attachment 717216
View attachment 717215
View attachment 717214

Structures at 33-35 Hess were demolished in October after sustaining damage from multiple fires

Vacant, fire-ravaged Hess Village building demolished

Fire-ravaged building at 33 Hess St. S had been judged unsafe

www.thespec.com

Details via The Spec article from October:



Google Street View of the former structures on site from April 2025:
View attachment 717218

I didn't realize these were owned by Vrancor, but that makes so much sense. Buddy loves his hotels. I don't think it's a bad idea, and the design is fine, but also it definitely needs a ground floor restaurant/bar to continue to activate the street. I don't trust Vrancor to do that since they do not care at all about their commercial spaces whatsoever and would be just as happy to let this sit vacant for 20 years as they would to have a barely legal weed shop.

Thought it was owned by this development: https://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/166-190-main-street-west.48937

 

[junctionist]

The design of the new building is concerning. You have a podium with the look of an early 2000s banquet hall in an industrial park. Then you have some International Style upper floors framed with masonry that seems to harken back to the podium but which doesn't seem modern at all. It needs a redesign.

 

[Chronamut]

The design of the new building is concerning. You have a podium with the look of an early 2000s banquet hall in an industrial park. Then you have some International Style upper floors framed with masonry that seems to harken back to the podium but which doesn't seem modern at all. It needs a redesign.

Oh don't worry, the city will demand that all interesting elements be stripped out and it will be reduced to a utilitarian picture frame box just like every other proposed design.. in black white and grey of course.

Still, I do like the proposed first floor look, the rest feels too top-heavy though. But hey.. cornices.. of a sort

And dat tree sticking out of the top there, like a fancy feather in a hat

Also I am fine with the upper floors not looking modern - it would be refreshing to have an entire building of the same style however.

 

[Amare]

The design of the new building is concerning. You have a podium with the look of an early 2000s banquet hall in an industrial park. Then you have some International Style upper floors framed with masonry that seems to harken back to the podium but which doesn't seem modern at all. It needs a redesign.

To be honest I already think this proposal is a lost cause.

We already know what Darko brings to the table with the materials that would be used....

(ie: they wont be flattering materials at all).

 

[BCTed]

To be honest I already think this proposal is a lost cause.

We already know what Darko brings to the table with the materials that would be used....

(ie: they wont be flattering materials at all).

His stuff is not quality and his character is questionable, but he has been one of the only consistent builders in this city. I wonder what kind of money he makes on this stuff.

 

[Chris R.]

His stuff is not quality and his character is questionable, but he has been one of the only consistent builders in this city. I wonder what kind of money he makes on this stuff.

I don't know if he makes a ton off the buildings themselves. He appears to build primarily rentals and hotels. Rental buildings could be to have equity to finance, and the hotels allow flexible accounting in other businesses. Remember, Darko still owns one or two strip clubs and made most of his start up money with that industry.

 

[Sunnyside]

Oh don't worry, the city will demand that all interesting elements be stripped out and it will be reduced to a utilitarian picture frame box just like every other proposed design.. in black white and grey of course.

Still, I do like the proposed first floor look, the rest feels too top-heavy though. But hey.. cornices.. of a sort

And dat tree sticking out of the top there, like a fancy feather in a hat

Also I am fine with the upper floors not looking modern - it would be refreshing to have an entire building of the same style however.

I see you also caught there is more than usual on display here.

I’m not going to hold out and say it’ll actually turn out good… but it’s something for sure. Semblances of a better-designed structure. Proceeding with caution…

 

[christiesplits]

Vrancor has an awful track record for building design (can't speak for the interiors). I wouldn't trust them building a parking garage.

 

[Chronamut]

Yes we are all very skittish on this one due to their extremely BAD track record.. we don't trust what we see haha.. or that it will end up being good.. but hey.. what's life without a bit of high stakes betting lol.. I do REALLY like those first floor windows..

 

[Paclo]

I don't think it's a bad idea, and the design is fine, but also it definitely needs a ground floor restaurant/bar to continue to activate the street

This is the ground floor plan:

 

[Chronamut]

That is a BIGASS kitchen, that or it's just a smaller building.. hard to tell...

It's also refreshing to see a building floor entirely dedicated to that and not 90% of it taken up by indoor parking, lol..

 

[ScreamingViking]

His stuff is not quality and his character is questionable, but he has been one of the only consistent builders in this city. I wonder what kind of money he makes on this stuff.

Consistent after a long period of doing very little (presumably he was building his war-chest of strip club revenue). I recall criticism of him in other forums about sitting on properties... though he was not the only one (hello Blanchard). Seems like he wants to create a new legacy now, whether his company's design aesthetic is agreeable or not.

 

[Wigs]

That is a BIGASS kitchen, that or it's just a smaller building.. hard to tell...

It's also refreshing to see a building floor entirely dedicated to that and not 90% of it taken up by indoor parking, lol..

maybe Darko is serious about having a restaurant and patio in this building. Only time will tell

 

[Chronamut]

maybe Darko is serious about having a restaurant and patio in this building. Only time will tell

Well.. anyone can change I suppose.. but this is more like a crack addict telling us they want to get clean, and everyone being.. doubtful they'll deliver..