Hamilton, Ontario: 7 Downtown Landmarks Seen In Our YouTube Video

Not long ago, we were able to produce a decent POV video, driving around the downtown core of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Although there are numerous buildings and landmarks in the downtown area, we picked seven that seemed to stand out the most for the size, history or popularity. Along with a description, we also provide the time in the YouTube video where that structure is first seen. The video can be seen below.

Hamilton, Ontario Downtown Video

The following video is a POV view, driving around the downtown of Hamilton, Ontario. If you like what you see, please give it a ‘thumb’s up in YouTube. If you love what you see, we’d be so grateful if you shared with friends and family!

7 Hamilton Ontario Downtown Landmarks

Landmark Place

Landmark Place is the tallest building in downtown Hamilton, although that title may be given away in the near future. Completed in 1974, the skyscraper is 127 metres or 417 feet in height and contains 43 floors. The structure is located at 100 Main Street East, at the corner of Main and Catherine.

Originally, Landmark Place was called the Century 21 Building. Original plans included a rooftop heliport and a revolving rooftop restaurant.

First seen on the right, starting at 4:06.

Stelco Tower

Located at 100 King Street West, this skyscraper was completed in 1973. The building is 103 metres or 338 feet in height and contains 26 floors. Although now known officially as 100 King Street West Building, the Stelco Tower name persists with locals.

First seen on the right, starting at 7:37

Pigott Building

Known as Hamilton’s first skyscraper. The Pigott Building is located at 36 James Street South and was completed in 1929. The building stands 64 metres or 210 feet in height with 18 floors. The structure was build by Pigott Construction Company and is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

First seen on the left, starting at 3:29

First Place Hamilton

Certainly not the most beautiful or historically significant building in downtown Hamilton but one of the largest. First Place Hamilton is located at the corner of King Street and Wellington Street and was at the eastern extent of our drive. Completed in 1976, this mixed use (residential, office, commercial) building is 78 metres or 256 feet in height with 25 floors. This building is located on the site of the First United Church which burned down in 1969.

First seen on the left, starting at 4:56

Royal Connaught Hotel

Located at the corner of King Street and John Street, the Royal Connaught Hotel was opened in 1916 and contains 13 floors. The structure was built by Harry Frost of Buffalo, New York, probably better known for his Frost Fence company.

This building is earmarked in National Hockey League history. Prior to the 1922-23 season, the NHL’s governor’s meeting was held in the hotel each season. This is the hotel where visiting NHL teams would stay when playing against the long defunct Hamilton Tigers.

Through the years, the hotel has been owned by a handful of groups, including United Hotels Company, Sheraton Hotels and Howard Johnson Hotels. In 2008, the proposed 100 story Connaught Towers project was to grow out of the building but was cancelled. It is currently being renovated and converted into condominiums.

First seen on the left, starting at 6:58

Hamilton City Hall

This building, located at 71 Main Street West, opened in 1960. The eight story building was designated as a heritage structure by the Hamilton City Council in 2005. The structure went through renovations that lasted from 2008 to 2010.

First seen on the right, starting at 3:12

FirstOntario Centre

FirstOntario Centre opened in 1985 as Copps Coliseum. The venue was expected to house a NHL franchise but that never happened. Located at 101 York Boulevard, the arena holds up to 17,383 for hockey. The current tenants are the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League. Previous tenants include the Hamilton Steelhawks and Dukes of Hamilton of the OHL, along with the Canucks and Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

This venue replaced the Barton Street Arena that was located just a short distance away on Barton Street. That arena, also known as the Hamilton Forum, was built in 1910 and torn down in 1977. At it’s peak, the seating capacity was 4,500. That venue was home to the Hamilton Tigers of the NHL, along with the Tiger Cubs, Red Wings and Fincups of the OHL.

First seen on the right, starting at 8:44