Court Street may take a major stride toward new vibrancy as developers propose to put up a 16 unit condominium complex, just as another developer has broken ground on a nine unit condo building merely a block away.

The new planning application comes from Zoom Properties which proposes a five storey structure at the corner of Court and Angle Streets called ZoCoLo Studios.

Meantime, construction has already begun on Prosperity Heights at the corner of Court and Ewing Streets.

The simultaneously moving projects signal an undeniable effort at urban rejuvenation for an area often times spoken in unflattering terms. Zoom co-owner Karla Phillips said: “I’m tired of the shame people have for Court Street. I think it’s time we knocked that shame to the curb.”

Coldwell Banker is also poising itself to cash in on Court Street’s apparent emerging trendiness.

A press release proclaims: “A renaissance is underway in North Hamilton. This is an exciting time to get on the real estate ladder (in this area).”

If approved, ZoCoLo Studios will stand five storeys tall — a height typically unseen in this section of the city. The planned structure also has three levels below ground. Most of the below ground space will be used for retail and office space.

And based on images in the Planning application, the modern looking building will have a far different style than anything currently in the immediate area.

Fifteen of the units will be studio rental apartments of at least 350 square feet. The sixteenth rental unit will be a 450 square foot two-bedroom unit on an upper floor.

Zoom Properties says it’s philosophy is firmly founded in affordability and high quality. It’s most well know project thus far is the Canville Condominiums complex in Sandy’s completed in 2003.

Co-owners Karla Phillips and Candy Smith are said to have used a wide variety of international cities for inspiration including Boston’s Back Bay, San Francisco’s SOMA District, as well as Glasgow’s urban neighbourhoods.

A Zoom company statement said: “The intent with ZoCoLo is to make the notion of living on Court Street, a convenient alternative - hip and desirable.”

Prosperity Heights will also be five storeys and should offer towering views because it’s situated near the top of Court Street’s steep incline.

All nine units will be two-bedroom with one-bath, described as town-house style condominiums priced on the realtor’s website for $600,000 each. The development is expected to have a focus on eco-friendliness with strong commitments to recycling, insulation and energy conservation. It’s scheduled for completion in early 2008.

Along with the new injections of housing, Court Street enjoys tremendous incentives for new business owners who agree to operate their companies in North Hamilton. Legislators passed an economic empowerment measure earlier this year which allows provisions such as waived Customs duty, payroll tax concessions and relaxed immigration laws.

Additionally, a group called Youth on the Move was awarded $250,000 of Government money to encourage entrepreneurship in the area. In the Budget Government also said it would lower payroll tax for new businesses in the area, as well as duty on new projects.

Ms Phillips and Ms Smith bought the Court Street property seven years ago, but struggled to find the financing and Government support to get their vision off the ground. The tide apparently changed over the past six to eight months.

Ms Phillips said: “Many people didn’t buy into it because of the location.

“It’s only because of Premier Brown and Phillip Butterfield (Bank of Bermuda CEO) who understood what we were trying to attain. They made it possible, they made it real.

“We’ve believed in Court Street for years and we’re pleased now that others are.”