Fresh vision for James North

A quartet of Hamilton business people take possession of a dilapidated lodging house in the heart of James Street North tomorrow.

By the time they’re done and about $1 million later, the 120-year-old Hotel Hamilton will be converted into working studios for the street’s burgeoning arts community.

The investors hope to attract artists and creative types — painters, media artists, videographers, sound editors, maybe accountants and interior designers — driven out by the high cost of rent in Toronto or who want to move a growing business out of their house.

It’s hoped the first tenants could move into James North StudioWorks in October, but there are a number of city permits and variances to get.

The imposing three-floor structure at the corner of James and Mulberry has seen better days.

The investors figure it will take weeks and numerous dumpsters to clean out the building of junked furniture, worn-out carpet and thousands of square feet of plaster painted bargain-bin colours of orange, purple and pink.