An excavator broke through the brick wall of the former Tivoli Theatre this week, creating a large gap in what was once a significant downtown Hamilton landmark. Aventus Group, the property owner and developer situated between Hughson and James Streets, clarified that they are currently not demolishing the multi-story building but preparing it for deconstruction to pave the way for the construction of the “Tivoli Condos.”
Edward John, a principal planner at Landwise representing the developer, stated that the ongoing work involves clearing interior debris, cleaning the building, and taking necessary measures to ready the site. However, the city raised concerns earlier this week, labeling Aventus’ actions of tearing down an exterior wall as demolition without the required permit. Rob Lalli, the building division director, confirmed that the staff had issued a stop-work order until the proper permit was obtained.
By Wednesday afternoon, Aventus had acquired the necessary permit to commence the demolition of the Tivoli, as confirmed by the city. The historic building, initially a carriage factory built in 1875 and later transformed into a theater in 1907, boasted architectural grandeur with its elliptical ceiling, decorative molding, and unique features like five round arches and statues.
The theater ceased operations in 1989 and went through various ownership changes, leading to its gradual deterioration. Aventus, after acquiring the Tivoli in 2022, identified significant structural issues such as a collapsing roof, water damage, hazardous materials, and prolonged lack of heating, rendering the building unsuitable for occupancy.
Despite initial recommendations to reject Aventus’ demolition application, the heritage committee eventually approved the demolition following estimates of a $6 million cost to make the Tivoli safe for use. Committee member Andy McLaren expressed disappointment at the necessity of demolishing the building due to years of neglect, emphasizing the importance of preventing similar situations in the future.
Ken Coit, the heritage director, echoed concerns regarding the Tivoli’s state and emphasized the city’s commitment to avoiding catastrophic failures in buildings through closer collaboration with owners. Aventus, moving forward, aims to collaborate with the city to develop the site and integrate elements of the Tivoli into their condo project, emphasizing the enhancement of Hamilton’s downtown community while paying homage to the site’s historical significance.
