Waterfront Redevelopment

CHH Jamesville Redevelopment

Peter Van Klippe
Manager, Development (Acting)
Email: [email protected]
Call: 905-523-8496 Ext: 3898

Redevelopment and Revitalization

The Jamesville redevelopment project is about building affordable, inclusive, sustainable housing, steps away from the West Harbour GO Station.

The partnership between CityHousing Hamilton (CHH), Indwell and the Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership, with the support of the City of Hamilton, will create an inclusive, mixed-income, urban community in Hamilton’s North End.

The 2.2-hectare Jamesville site is located at 405 James Street North in Hamilton’s North End. This redevelopment reflects the neighbourhood’s legacy while building toward its future.

This project is another step forward in helping to address Hamilton's housing crisis. Learn more about the investments and work being done to address the housing crisis by visiting the Whole of Hamilton Housing Approach.

Aerial photograph of Jamesville Redevelopment in West Harbour

Site demolition of 405 James Street North

The above grade demolition of the townhouses at Jamesville is substantially complete, taking the next step towards creating a new mixed-use, inclusive community in Hamilton’s North End.

CHH worked diligently with their development partner, Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership, to advance the above grade demolition of the Jamesville site’s 91 vacant units.

With the above grade demolition substantially complete, what is the next step for the site?
The next step of the planning process is Site Plan Approval, which will see detailed building design submissions from the JRLP for the private market townhomes and the other buildings on the site, including the CHH building. The next step in construction is the below grade demolition and environmental remediation.

When will construction begin and homes be ready?
Market conditions are affecting many development projects in Ontario, and there are certain market considerations that CHH and JRLP are working to address to accelerate the project. CityHousing Hamilton and the developer, with the support of the City of Hamilton, remain committed to completing the work of this important affordable housing project in a way that satisfies the needs and wishes of the community and project partners.

Why does the Jamesville development project matter?
Hamilton faces a housing crisis. CHH is the city’s largest affordable housing provider and is leading this project to deliver real solutions.

In 2025, the City of Hamilton is investing $191.6 million (the City's levy contribution is $130.2 million) in housing and homelessness to help address the housing crisis. This is an increase in $5.7 million or 3 per cent over 2024 - the highest investment to date.

How can I stay informed about the project?
Updates will be made to this page as they become available and interested parties can check this page for continued updates on this project.

Formal Appeal & MZO

In August 2022, Hamilton City Council unanimously approved the Jamesville project. CN Rail appealed that decision, citing concerns about noise and vibration near their shunting yard operations for the future residents.

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearing originally scheduled for February 2025 was adjourned to allow for continued discussion.

With the issuance of the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO), the necessary zoning is in place and as such the OLT can now close its file on this matter.

An MZO was issued in December of 2025, and is a significant move by the Province and allows the Jamesville redevelopment to proceed without coming before the OLT.

With the December 2025 decision by the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s to approve CHH’s MZO for 405 James Street North, this marks a major milestone towards delivering much-needed new housing, including deeply affordable and supportive homes for Hamilton residents.

The approved MZO provides the zoning certainty required to advance a mixed-income, mixed-use community that aligns with CHH’s mission to create safe, inclusive and sustainable housing. The approach accelerates project timelines and strengthens the ability to bring long-term affordability to the North End neighbourhood, steps away from the West Harbour GO station.

In January 2025, CHH requested an MZO to help move the project forward, and Hamilton City Council supported this request.

With the MZO in place, CHH will advance to the next planning steps, engage development partners and continue working with tenants, the North End community, Indigenous partners, local organizations and the City of Hamilton to ensure that the project supports social inclusion and neighbourhood wellbeing.

Timeline

March 21, 2017 Planning Committee - Report 17-005 includes a motion for Bay-Strachan lands to be included in the Jamesville redevelopment and for assistance in relocating the community garden
May 8, 2017 Request for Expression of Interest provided opportunity for CHH to gauge interest and understand approaches of prospective development partners
July 18, 2017 CHH Board - Report 17021(a) identified the transfer of 45 RGI units from Jamesville to Bay-Cannon
November 28, 2017 Affordable Housing Site Selection Committee - PED17219 provided approval of properties for disposition for the purposes of affordable housing
September 25, 2018 CHH Board - Report 17007(a) provided approval of RFP objectives, offering process, informed by the feasibility analysis.
December 20, 2018 CHH Board – Report 17007(b) authorized the commencement of the public offering process and approval of the evaluation criteria and scoring framework
April 8, 2019 RFP C18-07-19 launched a competitive process for providing affordability through the Jamesville land offering
July 23, 2019 Procurement Website Notice, following an evaluation of proposals, the Preferred Proponent was identified through a limited public disclosure of the Preferred Proponent’s identity being posted
September 24, 2019 CHH Board – Report 17007(c) followed a period of due diligence and provided approval for the Preferred Proponent to become the Qualified Preferred Proponent, initiating the negotiation period
December 10, 2019 Reimagine Jamesville microsite launch for a public open house and community engagement sessions
October 27, 2020 CHH Board – Report 17007(d) approval of the redevelopment plan and Terms of Reference
June 3, 2021 Emergency and Community Services Report - HSC21011 provided Service Manager Consent to CHH to sell the Jamesville property for redevelopment
December 10, 2021 Master Development Agreement executed
June 15, 2022 ERASE Redevelopment Grant Application was approved at GIC (demolition only)
August 9, 2022 OPA and ZBA approved
September 14, 2022 Formal appeal was filed by CNR
February 9, 2023 CHH Board – Report 17007(f) Jamesville - CN Appeal
April 16, 2024 Planning Committee Report: Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT-22-004759) for Lands Located at 405 James Street North
- Appendix A – Revised Plan
January 2025 CHH request Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO)
January 22, 2025 An adjournment was requested for the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025
September 2025 The parties will provide a status update to the OLT
September 2025 Demolition started
December 2025 Decision by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s approving MZO for 405 James Street North

Date modified

December 10, 2025