
West Hamilton
District 10 | Strathcona |Bayfront | Central
District 11 | Westdale | Ainslie Wood
District 12 | Kirkendall West | Kirkendall South | Kirkendall East | Durand
Home to McMaster University, McMaster Children’s Hospital, McMaster Innovation Park Research Centre, St. Marys Catholic Secondary School, Westdale Public Secondary School, and many elementary schools including Earl Kitchener Public French Immersion and Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary.This area is Best Known for Dundurn Castle, Westdale Village, Hess Village, Locke Street Shopping (Antiques, great eats, and lots of other unique stores), Bayfront Park and Waterfront trails, Princess Point and soon to be well known for our newest restaurant with the best view of the Lake, Sarcoa Restaurant & Bar located in the old Discovery Centre near the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.
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.
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/
Homes & Lifestyle
Real Estate House Prices | Properties Selling in North West – Strathcona, Bayfront & Central Downtown Area
You’ll find a wide range of home styles in Strathcona, Bayfront and Central Downtown, lots of 1.5 and 2-storey house styles, a few 2.5 storey detached homes, 1-floor brick, some metal and vinyl sided homes, row townhomes, a few lofts, and a few semi-detached houses. There are also some condo apartments such as 75 Queen North, a high rise building and 47 Caroline which is a very popular student/resident (Doctors doing their Residency in Hamilton) low rise Urban Condo building, called Cityview Terrace, & located conveniently downtown right near trendy Hess Village.
Here are the types of houses and price ranges you will find in the Bayfront / Strathcona / Central areas. The overall average selling price in District 10 which includes Bayfront/Strathcona/Central Neighborhoods was $177,000 at the end of 2008 and 5 years later it is $242,000 and climbing! It is a Great Time to Invest in THIS Area of West Hamilton! In the heart of the downtown, you’ll find The Pigott Building Condominiums, which is conveniently located at 36 James Street South. Built using Art – Deco & Gothic Revival elements, this architectural beauty now has a Heritage Designation.
South West Hamilton
You will love the character of this neighborhood! It is quiet, friendly, filled with mature tree lined streets, offers great access to green space, the Bruce Trail, the Rail trail, two sets of steps up the escarpment, great parks, and well respected schools, including Earl Kitchener Public and French Immersion school. The types of people that are drawn to live here are families who love mature neighborhoods, and care more about the character of the homes then whether there is a garage for the car (not a lot of garages in the area!). They enjoy walking downtown to the market, shopping locally on Dundurn and Locke Streets, playing in the myriad parks or hiking the Bruce Trail. There are also grad students and younger adults renting here, and many older couples and singles buying up the condo’s and lofts. Commuters love this area for the convenience of the Go Station close by and the easy highway access.
Places to Visit
Locke St. South | Trendy Shops & Restaurants
Vibrant Locke Street brings out many people shopping for rare antiques and one of a kind unique items and local art and jewelry. When you visit, make sure to leave time to stop in for lunch or dinner at one of the bistros or cozy cafes, or enjoy a delicious burger (yes, vegetarian too) or a hand tossed brick oven pizza. Leave room for homemade treats from the bakeries, chocolate stores, ice cream and candy stores. The Locke Street Festival is held each September and the street is closed off for a fun-filled day for the family with live entertainment, street vendors, and food!
Yes, trendy Locke Street really does have it all! Looking for gifts or home decor? You have to go into LuLu & Lavigne! In my opinion, one of the Best stores on Locke street. After all that shopping you will probably need a latte at Starbucks…on Locke Street, located right beside Patrick Evan Hair Design (my fav!)
Locke St. South | Trendy Shops & Restaurants
Walkscore
Schools
Earl Kitchener Elementary 300 Dundurn St. S, Hamilton Directions JK-5 | French Immersion |
Central Elementary 75 Hunter Street W, Hamilton Directions Grades: JK-5 |
Ryerson Elementary 222 Robinson St, Hamilton Directions Grades: 6-8 | French Immersion |
St. Patrick Catholic Elementary 20 East Ave S, Hamilton Directions Grades: 9 – 12 |
Westdale Secondary 700 Main Street W, Hamilton Directions Grades: 9 – 12 |
Queen Victoria Elementary 166 Forest Ave, Hamilton Directions Grades: JK-8 |
Lyonsgate Montessori Private 375 Aberdeen Ave, Hamilton Directions |
Daycare in South West Hamilton |
Strathcona Elementary
10 Lamoreaux Street, Hamilton
Directions
Grades: JK-5
Central Elementary
75 Hunter Street W, Hamilton
Directions
Grades: JK-5
Hess Street Elementary
107 Hess Street N, Hamilton
Directions Grades: JK-8
St. Mary Secondary
200 Whitney Avenue, Hamilton
Directions
Secondary Grades: 9-12
Sir John A. Macdonald
130 York Boulevard, Hamilton
Directions
Secondary Grades: 9 – 12 Composite
Liaison College
2 King St. W. Hamilton
Boreal College
120 King St. W.
Directions
The Strathcona area is well known for a small school, the Strathcona Elementary School, which offers two very distinct programs. The “Main” program, largely used by the area students and the “S.A.G.E.” program which stands for Scholastics, Arts, and Global Education.
Medical Centres
McMaster University Medical Centre & Children’s Hospital
Built: 1972
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton Ontario
Website
Shops | Services | Events
Type of Property | Price Range | Average Sold Price |
Detached Houses | $300,000 – $600,000 | $450,000 |
Semi-Detached Homes | $250,000 – $600,000 | $375,000 |
Freehold/Condo Townhouses | $325,000 – $575,000 | $450,000 |
Condominium / Apartments | $160,000 – $700,000 | $350,000 |