Eastgate Square Development Moves to Ontario Land Tribunal Amid City Delays

The owners of Hamilton’s Eastgate Square have submitted an appeal for a Site Plan application to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in order to break a deadlock with the City of Hamilton.

The 18.2-hectare (45 acres) property located at 75 Centennial Parkway North in East Hamilton is owned by Hammer GP, which is looking to kick off construction on the first phase of a redevelopment project that will ultimately feature 19 mixed-use towers housing 4,325 residential units. The City Council gave the green light to this redevelopment plan in December 2024.

Phase I involves building three 20-storey towers with a total of 696 residential units on top of a shared six-storey podium at the corner of Centennial Parkway and Queenston Road.

However, the City of Hamilton has yet to provide the necessary site plan approvals for Hammer GP to move forward with applying for building permits and starting construction.

One major point of disagreement cited in the appeal is that the managers from Hamilton’s public transit system, known as the Hamilton Street Railway, haven’t approved the site plan yet. They still need to finalize how HSR buses will enter and exit from this location.

On another note, Metrolinx, which is responsible for constructing a 13-kilometre light rail transit line, has given its approval for Phase I of this development. This rail line’s eastern terminus will utilize part of the Eastgate property in later phases, and Metrolinx plans to create an integrated terminal for HSR connections there.

A planning document excerpt from the Eastgate Square redevelopment proposal highlights concept views and building siting strategies designed to integrate the new residential towers with a new Hamilton Street Railway bus terminal as part of a later phase of construction. Credit: BDP Quadrangle / for Hammer GP (Eastgate Square)

Hammer GP has pointed out the HSR delay in their OLT appeal, but officials from the City of Hamilton mention that there are several other outstanding issues needing resolution.

Brian Hollingworth, Acting General Manager of Planning and Economic Development for Hamilton, stated that discussions between Hammer GP and the city are ongoing and that they’re open to reaching a settlement agreement.

Hollingworth didn’t specify what those outstanding issues are since he wants to respect current negotiations.

David Falletta, a Registered Professional Planner representing Hammer GP, opted not to comment further other than confirming that talks are still happening.

Councillor Matt Francis from Ward 5 expressed hope that an agreement could be achieved soon.

The six-storey podium planned for Phase I will also include retail space measuring 701.4 square metres alongside community space totaling 684.0 square metres.

Francis confirmed there are separate conversations taking place regarding potentially relocating the Red Hill Library branch into one section within these new towers’ podium. Chad Roglich, Director of Facilities and Sustainability at Hamilton Public Library, mentioned they’re considering options for a new facility as part of their long-term planning since the current Red Hill Library branch operates out of leased space about 700 metres west of Eastgate.

The OLT has assigned case number OLT-26-000726 to this appeal. A case management conference is set for October 20.

More information about the Eastgate redevelopment master plan can be found on the owner’s website at: https://www. evolvingeastgate. ca/

Production Details
v. 1.0.1
: September 25, 2026
Last updated: September 25, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman

Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
v. 1.0.1 added link at end to development’s project website.

OLT Case Info
Case Number: OLT-26-000726
Status (as of September 25, 2026): Pending Case Management Conference on October 20, 2026.

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