195 Wellington Street South Redevelopment Plan

195 Wellington Street South is a U-shaped apartment complex that was originally built as a school in 1939 and later converted into rental housing. In January 2022, Medallion received zoning approval to redevelop the site.

As part of the redevelopment, Medallion will be adding a 9-storey rental apartment building, including 223 new units for a total of 330 apartments at the location. 

Redeveloping the site will provide essential rental housing in Hamilton while adding new amenity spaces that all residents in the building will be able to enjoy.

The new building requires the demolition of 35 rental apartments and the temporary displacement of six rental apartments. We are at the beginning of a lengthy process, and there is no definitive timeline for when construction will begin at the property.

Medallion recognizes that this redevelopment may cause challenges for tenants who will be temporarily or permanently displaced. Medallion, together with the City of Hamilton have developed a resident relocation plan to ensure residents are supported throughout the entire process. The 195 Wellington Street South Redevelopment Plan has been approved by the City of Hamilton.

The relocation plan outlines Medallion’s commitment to impacted residents, including; 

• ongoing communication about the development process and timeline;
• housing options available to tenants; 
• entitlement to financial compensation;
• moving expenses;
• assistance to secure suitable replacement accommodations;
• and additional support throughout the transition.

Finding a new home

The relocation plan provides two options.

Residents will have four months to decide if they are moving to an existing unit within the apartment complex or moving elsewhere.

a) Staying at 195 Wellington Street South 

• Residents can relocate to a similar-sized apartment (an apartment with an equal or greater number of bedrooms) within the 195 Wellington Street South complex at the resident’s current rent. If a resident chooses this option, their rent will remain the same. 

These units are being offered to residents based on seniority (length of tenure) in order to be sensitive to tenants who have lived 195 Wellington Street South for longer periods of time. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this process.

• If a similar-sized apartment is not available, residents can choose to stay at 195 Wellington Street South and downsize to a smaller apartment, which will include a decrease in monthly rental payments and two months’ free rent. If a similar-sized unit is not available at 195 Wellington Street South, residents can relocate to a similar-sized unit at another Medallion building in Hamilton at their current rent.

b) Moving away from 195 Wellington Street South 

• Residents may also choose to relocate to an apartment away from 195 Wellington Street South. Residents who choose this option will be responsible for finding new accommodation. If a resident chooses this option, they will be subject to the monthly rent offered by the property owner. Residents will receive six-months' notice before they are required to move. At present, the earliest we expect residents will need to relocate is by August 2025. Please see financial compensation section for further details on this option.

We understand that this is an important decision, and we want to support residents through the process. We ask that residents let us know of their decision by November 16.

Financial compensation 

Residents who decide to move away from 195 Wellington Street South will be provided financial compensation equivalent to one-year of the current rent, payable as a lump sum. In the case of roommates, the total financial compensation paid to all roommates in one apartment is one year of the total rent at the current rate for that apartment.

Signing a new lease

If a resident decides to relocate to another apartment at 195 Wellington Street South, they will be invited to sign a new lease for the unit. 

Moving expenses

Medallion will arrange and pay for an insured moving company to relocate all impacted residents to their new home, within or outside 195 Wellington Street South. Residents who arrange their own moving companies will be reimbursed at a flat rate for moving expenses. Flat rates are as follows:

•  $750 for studio or one-bedroom households; 
• $1,000 for two- or more-bedroom households. 

Medallion will consider additional requests on a case-by-case basis.

In the case of roommates arranging their own moving companies, Medallion will consider requests to cover expenses for each resident.

Option to return 

Under Medallion’s agreement with the City of Hamilton, the option to return depends on whether a resident is in a temporarily displaced unit or permanently displaced unit.

Temporarily displaced

Residents who are in temporarily displaced units will have the option to return to their specific apartment at a similar rent.

Permanently displaced

Residents who must permanently relocate within or outside of 195 Wellington Street South will be given the option to return to an available apartment in the new building of a similar unit type. Residents will enter into a new lease agreement and pay market rent. Priority will be given to residents based on seniority (the previous length of tenure). If a replacement unit of a similar size is not available, the resident may move into a similar-sized apartment in the closest Medallion-owned building.

Medallion will notify eligible residents once construction is complete. From that time, those residents will have four months to advise Medallion in writing that they wish to return to a replacement apartment, subject to availability and seniority.