West Hamilton

District 10: Strathcona |Bayfront | Central

The North West features many wonderful spots to visit such as Hess Village, Victoria Park, Dundurn Castle, Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park, Hamilton's Farmers Market, Jackson Square Shopping Centre, James Street Art Crawl, to name a few.

The North West neighborhoods are usually referred to as Bayfront / Strathcona / and Central Downtown. This area is probably best known as the next “IN” spot to live, or “Up & Coming” district, due to its close proximity to the Harbour - Waterfront, and the great influx of Artists to the James Street North area. Real Estate prices are lower in this area of West Hamilton compared to Westdale and the South West neighbourhoods. Take note though…prices are on the rise! It is bordered by Highway 403 to the west, Main Street to the South, James Street to the East and the Hamilton Harbour to the North.

The North West neighbourhoods, home to Hess Village and Dundurn Castle, are usually referred to as Bayfront / Strathcona / and Central Downtown. This area is probably best known as the next “IN” spot to live, or “Up & Coming” district, due to it's close proximity to the Harbour - Waterfront, and the great influx of Artists to the James Street North area. Real Estate prices are lower in this area of West Hamilton compared to Westdale and the South West neighbourhoods. Take note though…prices are on the rise! It is bordered by Highway 403 to the west, Main Street to the South, James Street to the East and the Hamilton Harbour to the North.

Historically, the Central Neighborhood, more commonly referred to as Downtown Hamilton, was one of the first four neighbourhoods established. The other three founding neighbourhoods are Durand (South West Hamilton), Beasley (just east of James & North of Main) and Corktown (South of Main & just East of James). These four neighbourhoods really make up the core of downtown Hamilton. It does get a little confusing when you are looking at a map of the area because Central is actually located in the area designated as West Hamilton. For locals, central Hamilton usually refers to anything between James Street & Kenilworth Street, & includes the neighborhoods of Corktown, Stinson, St. Clair, Blakeley, and The Delta all of which are South of Main, & North of Main includes Beasley, Landsdale, Gibson, Stipley & Crown Point (near Centre Mall & Ottawa Street North).

Some of the great architectural landmarks in the North West include Dundurn Castle, located at the corner of York and Dundurn Streets, built between 1832 and 1835, which is one of Hamilton's most recognized landmarks and is now a National Historic Site. Sir Allan MacNab had it designed by Robert Wetherell, a local architect, who incorporated classical and Italian motifs, French windows, and a panoramic view of Burlington Bay. Currently owned by the City of Hamilton, this 18,000 square-foot neoclassical mansion now runs tours by costumed interpreters, showing the life and times of Sir Allan MacNab and his family from the 1850's.

Another National Historic Site is The John Weir Foote Armoury (known locally as the James Street Armoury with a still active Military presence). Some of the other historically significant buildings in this district include Cathedral of Christ the King (overlooking Highway 403 at King Street West), and the Tuckett Mansion - Scottish Rite is known as the Scottish Rite, located at the corner of Queen Street and King Street West.

District 11: Westdale | Ainslie Wood

West Hamilton is home to McMaster University, McMaster Children's Hospital, and the neighbourhoods in that area are called Westdale and Ainslie Wood.

Most commonly referred to as Westdale (with very high walk scores), this area of West Hamilton is also called the Ainslie Wood / Westdale Community and is home to AWWCA (Ainslie Wood / Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners Inc.). This is the largest dues-paying, volunteer, neighbourhood nonprofit association in Hamilton, with about 600 members.

It is bordered by Highway 403 to the east and to the south (at the base of the escarpment), Cootes Paradise (which is the western end of Lake Ontario) and The Royal Botanical Gardens to the north and Dundas to the west.

District 12: Kirkendall | Durand

Southwest Hamilton, best known for trendy Locke Street with very good Walk Scores, and the much sought after exclusive Durand Neighborhood. Known as one of the most exclusive areas of Hamilton, the Southwest is also referred to as theLocke and Aberdeen area, Durand neighbourhood, Chedoke area, and the Kirkendall neighbourhood. Most recently, this is the proud home of the McMaster Innovation Park Research Centre. This is known as an “idea factory” employing scientists, technicians and support workers, including some of the top minds in Canada

The boundaries that house this very special area of Hamilton are West of James Street, South of Main Street West, East of Highway 403, and the southern border is nestled just below the vast natural landscape of the Niagara Escarpment, and what we here in Hamilton affectionately call “the Mountain”.

Historically, this area was known as home to the 'industrialists'. This south of downtown neighbourhood is quite possibly the largest concentration of early 20th century castles and mansions in Canada. These grand homes were home to the families whose names graced the signs of the north end factories and made their fortunes in finance, transportation, and industry. The styles of homes you'll encounter here include Tudor, Georgian, and Edwardian to name a few. Many of the homes in the Southwest feature old world original charm with their gumwood and oak hardwood inlay floors, stained leaded glass, ornate wood trim, 9 and 10 ft beamed ceilings, double brick and stone exteriors. The average age of the homes is over 100 years old!

The prestigious Chedoke neighborhood is named after the Chedoke Civic Golf Course that can be seen as you drive up the very picturesque 403 Highway on your way up the hill towards Ancaster. Make sure you drive up Chedoke Avenue and Flatt Street if you are in the area!

To learn more history and see some great pictures of places like Ravenscliffe, Sandyford Place, the Bay-Aberdeen Queen Ann style mansion built in 1893, Whitehern built around 1850, and Central Public School which is the first graded public school in Ontario, built in 1853. http://historicalhamilton.com/durand/