Release date for Pier 8 Request for Qualifications announced

HAMILTON, ON – March 15, 2017 - The City of Hamilton today announced that the much-anticipated launch date of the Pier 8 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be on April 18, 2017. The City’s West Harbour staff formally made the announcement earlier today at MIPIM (Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier), the world’s largest real estate exhibition taking place this week in France.

The RFQ is the first of a two-stage solicitation process that offers private developers the opportunity to purchase and build on 5.24 hectares of fully serviced, mixed-use lands that are integrated with a public recreational waterfront for which the City has prepared a $140 million, multi-year revitalization plan. 

The development site has the potential to support approximately 1,500 residential units and 13,000 square metres of commercial and institutional space on nine development blocks that reach the water’s edge. The entire solicitation process is expected to conclude in 2018, with predevelopment activities commencing shortly thereafter.

The RFQ released on April 18 will invite interested bidders to submit information that substantiates their qualifications per these criteria:

• Alignment with the City’s vision for Pier 8, as outlined in established planning policies
• Possessing the financial capacity and stability to execute and finance a large-scale, multi-phase development
• Demonstrating a proven track record of executing projects similar in nature to Pier 8
• Assembling a team that has the expertise to optimize the opportunity while delivering on the City’s desired outcomes.

The RFQ stage will end with the announcement of a shortlist of prequalified bidders who will exclusively be invited to participate in a Request for Proposals stage that will focus on conceptual proposals and financial bids.

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‎“The Pier 8 development opportunity represents the culmination of nearly 30 years of political and financial commitments from past and present Councils, along with partners at other levels of government. This is the next phase in the ongoing efforts to transform our west harbour into a destination for our citizens and visitors to Hamilton. The City has committed $80 million towards further improvements to the waterfront areas over the next two years. We expect to see some visionary concepts brought forward by developers and the community."
Fred Eisenberger, Mayor, City of Hamilton

“We look forward to bringing more information forward very soon on this exciting opportunity. A proponent that brings innovative solutions that are aligned with the City’s vision for Pier 8 will hold a competitive edge in the solicitation process.”
Chris Phillips, Senior Advisor, Planning and Economic Development, City of Hamilton

Additional resources:

• View the Pier 8 Preliminary Prospectus (PDF, 5 MB) that summarizes the development opportunity
• To learn more about the Pier 8 solicitation process and the broader plans for the West Harbour precinct, visit www.hamilton.ca/westharbour