Downtown Hamilton is beginning to quietly yet inexorably arise as a new centre of creativity, culture and commerce. Within this transforming neighbourhood, Jarvis Street makes an ideal location for a brand-new, innovative, design-forward boutique condominium. 1 Jarvis by Emblem Developments is a beautifully executed building, perfectly balancing old and new. 1 Jarvis is set to raise the standard of design and quality with price points attracting buyers from all over the GTA.

While the Hamilton condominium market has been growing for years, it is now ready to begin making a significant impact. Year over year, average prices for condos increased by 13 per cent, resales were up 77 per cent, and average rental rates rose by 15 per cent. For the Hamilton area, 18,316 condo units are proposed, with demand partly driven by the 60,000 students attending McMaster University and Mohawk College.

One of Canada’s fastest growing players in the condominium development market, Emblem is embracing the opportunity to contribute and further enhance the transformation of Hamilton. Emblem has condo sites around the GTA, with more than 3,000 units under construction, pre-sale and planning, in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and Mississauga. Robinson Village in Ottawa, with 291 units of purpose-built rental under construction.

Kash Pashootan, Emblem’s leader, founder and CEO, is passionate about all of these projects. With more than 20 years in investment management for wealthy families, he is able to marry numbers and finance with design and attention to detail. It’s an unusual trait – usually it’s either numbers or creativity.

Exceeding expectations

“1 Jarvis shows our commitment and deep conviction to the future of Hamilton,” Pashootan says. “We are coming to market with a building that exceeds expectations of design and level of standard finishes. Taking the long view, we know this building will set the standard of what buyers can except from Emblem in the future. Plus, we also have, within a five-minute walk of 1 Jarvis, nearly one million square feet of upcoming residential development in Hamilton.”

Pashootan is also the founder of First Avenue. This company manages investment portfolios and provides wealth planning for affluent families. First Avenue has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Globe and Mail, MacLean’s, Hong Times and Washington Post. He is a respected authority in the investment management industry, having experienced success at a national level.

“We are relentless in questioning and demanding more as we design each and every space in our buildings,” Pashootan says. “The Mark of ‘exceptional design’ – our slogan – truly captures what we do every day at Emblem. We believe our obsession with exceptional design will lead to greater enjoyment for each Emblem homeowner. We create spaces that we are proud of and our buyers are proud to live in.”

Shamil Jiwani, director of real estate for Emblem Developments, agrees. “Regardless of the market we build in, you will feel the soul behind our brand when you see the buildings or walk through them,” he says. “Our brand comes through in everything we do, from the font selection of our brochure to how the kitchen countertop interacts with the backsplash.” Obsession creates beauty in development.

In Hamilton, Emblem is about to begin building its new 15-storey condominium at 1 Jarvis in the vibrant central district. This new residence features a sophisticated yet airy and modern design by architects Studio JCI, and offers 354 units, all with balconies, and amenities and retail at podium level. Four levels of retro loft-like brick form the podium, topped by 11 contemporary-style storeys above.

“1 Jarvis will feature high-end finishes found in buildings with a much higher price point – such as stone countertops, full stone slab backsplashes and frameless showers – finishes comparable to downtown Toronto condominiums,” says Raki Raoufi, vice-president of construction, Emblem Developments. She brings more than 20 years of highrise building expertise to this project.

Restoration and revitalization

Downtown Hamilton is becoming ever more attractive, partly due to the restoration of historic buildings, and a $500-million investment into a new entertainment hub close to 1 Jarvis, and the revitalization of existing venues: The FirstOntario Concert Hall, the FirstOntario Centre, the Hamilton Convention Centre, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. On the waterfront, a $140-million redevelopment project will transform the harbour into a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly community with a commercial village and a public plaza. A Bell investment of $400 million will be the largest digital infrastructure investment in the city’s history. The combined investment exceeding $1 billion is unprecedented in a community the size of Hamilton and will be a game changer.

“Emblem is a full-service condominium developer,” says Alistair Rennie, director of pre-construction and development, Emblem Developments. “We will design, build and service all of our units, which makes us personally committed to each project, as we aspire to create spaces homeowners and investors will love.”

Emblem is on track to continue “resisting the norm” by building something at 1 Jarvis that has not yet been seen in the new Hamilton – and being part of a transformation that is sure to make this city one of the best places to live in Canada.

1jarvis.com