AMICA of Stoney Creek

Project Description

Amica at Stoney Creek is a 5 storey, 129 suite senior retirement building, on the site of former Stoney Creek Dairy bar and is a welcomed addition to the downtown. UrbanSolutions facilitated the approval of a Minor Variance application and obtained final Site Plan approval in 2016.

For more than 70 years, Stoney Creek Dairy was an iconic fixture in Stoney Creek.  When it finally closed, the project team understood the need to be sensitive to area residents when developing concept plans to redevelop this nostalgic  property.

The new residence is a significant addition to the Stoney Creek community both architecturally and socially.  The five storey multiple residential project brings a refined European building style to the single family residential neighbourhood.

Other facade design elements such as large windows, Victorian brick colour with heritage accent trim banding and ‘juliette’ style balconies add to the European street experience. The scale of the building is sensitive to the neighbouring single family homes while emphasizing a welcome sense of community within an already established neighbourhood.

The character of the street facing facades is dominated by a bold mansard roofline reminiscent of Second Empire architecture which spread to England during the Paris Exhibitions of the mid 1800’s.  The almost vertical mansard roofline reduces the 5 storey structure to a four storey facade and the continuous masonry base at the first storey reduces the upper brick appearance further to a two storey pedestrian scale.

The courtyard approach to the main entrance and covered ‘Porte Cochere’ provide additional architectural refinements to enhance the visitor and resident arrival.  Parking is dispersed through the landscape and the site is seen as more pastoral within the community to emphasize the pedestrian experience.

A commercial presence on King Street was important to maintain a gathering place for the community. The King Street streetscape is provided with a fresh identity exemplifying local pride and a welcome sense of community engagement.

Links:

Amica Stoney Creek

Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Brant Health Line

Serving Up Memories of the Stoney Creek Dairy