A six-storey office and apartment building is to be built next to the planned ten-storey condo hotel in Reid Street — transforming the neighbourhood from one of small retailers into high-rise development.

'In Motion School of Dance' is to be demolished to make way for the new building, which will accommodate the dance school on its first and second floors.

The 5,735 sq ft development will offer office space on the third and fourth storeys, and a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment on the fifth.

The ground floor will contain a lobby and shops, while two underground levels will house maintenance and a garage.

Although the original plans for 33 bike and ten 13 car parking spaces have been scrapped, in approving the Planning application, the Development Applications Board has advised the developers to "work with the Corporation of Hamilton to minimise congestion along Reid Street during the demolition of the existing building and construction of the new six-storey building".

Prior to demolition of the existing two-storey dance school and offices at 71 Reid Street, the Department of Environmental Health is also recommending an asbestos survey.

The development is not within the Cathedral view corridor and the Corporation of Hamilton has not raised any objections.

Owner Lizz Pimentel of 'In Motion School of Dance' has proposed a public art feature by a local artist, and Planning officials claim the design of the building "improves the quality of the streetscape and the pedestrian experience along Reid Street".

The development will be adjacent to the proposed Stonehaven Development Condominium Hotel, which was granted a Special Development Order earlier this year.

The 81-unit apart-hotel at the corner of Court Street and Reid Street will house 42 'hotel condominiums', 39 'residences', plus a restaurant and spa.

The development — on the site of the former Canadian Hotel — will cater primarily to business executives.

However, it also means the relocation of several small retailers at 77-79 Court Street, and 61-69 Reid Street.

The condo-hotel could also mean the demolition of the historic Alexandrina Hall in Court Street — a lodge built by black Bermudians in 1852 following the 1834 emancipation from slavery.

Elsewhere in Hamilton, a Planning application is underway for a six-storey office and apartment block at the corner of Ewing and Princess Street in North Hamilton.

A two-storey building would be demolished to make way for the 2,731 sq ft block, which "aims to infuse and contribute to the regeneration and interest with the North East Hamilton Development Zone," according to agents E4 Designs.

The building would house offices on the ground and first floors, with the second to fifth storeys offering 13 one-bedroom apartments.