Demolition of Hamilton’s historic Tivoli Auditorium has resumed after Aventus Developments obtained the required permit from the City of Hamilton, following an illegal start that sparked immediate intervention from municipal officials.
The demolition began without permits on Monday morning, September 15, mere hours after Supercrawl ended.
The City learned of the illegal demolition when this publication contacted Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch for comment on Monday afternoon. Within hours, the City’s Chief Building Official Rob Lalli issued an Order to Comply and dispatched inspectors to the site at 108 James Street North.
On Wednesday, the developer submitted the required documentation and the Chief Building Official issued the demolition permit.
Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch called the illegal start “inexcusable,” saying it “completely undermines [the developer’s] credibility.”
The heritage-designated building contains extensive asbestos-containing materials throughout its deteriorated structure, according to a 193-page engineering report provided to the City in late 2024.
After reviewing the report, which concluded the building is “past the point of restoration,” City Council authorized the City’s building and heritage staff to issue demolition permits upon submission of plans, including measures to ensure no asbestos fibres are released during the work.
The Tivoli’s demolition follows decades of deterioration after a 2004 partial collapse.
As a condition of demolition, Aventus posted a $1-million heritage bond and must preserve salvageable elements, including two classical statue reproductions assessed as restorable. The developer plans to incorporate heritage features into an 800-square-foot interpretive centre in any new redevelopment.
Aventus acquired the site in 2022 from Diamante Investments, which had allowed the building to deteriorate during years of land speculation following a 2015 upzoning.
Aventus has pitched a redevelopment proposal that includes two towers of 32 to 35 storeys each. No planning application is currently listed for the James Street North property.
No timelines have been released for when demolition will be complete or when Hughson Street North, at the rear of the property, will be closed to facilitate the work.
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Published: September 21, 2025
Last updated: September 21, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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