Hamilton

Construction underway at Hamilton's Royal Connaught Hotel

Construction has started at Hamilton's once-famous Royal Connaught Hotel, which has sat empty on its King and John lot.
Workers have started rehabilitating the Royal Connaught Hotel, the once-famous hotel at King and John in downtown Hamilton. (Submitted)

Construction has started at Hamilton's once-famous Royal Connaught Hotel, which has set empty on its King and John lot.

Two pictures from the work site show builders applying fresh drywall under some of the building's original Edwardian-styled windows. 

The former hotel — closed since 2004 and sold to a group of buyers — is set to be converted into condominiums. Its developers, Ted Valeri and Rudy Spallacci, say the building should be ready by 2015.