08/04/2015 05:03 EDT | Updated 08/04/2016 05:59 EDT

How Hamilton's Collective Pursuits Are Creating Canada's Brooklyn

In case you haven't heard, you can do anything in Hamilton. We even have a t-shirt to prove it. That place known as "steel town" is no more. Meet Hamilton 2.0. A city that is organically and strategically turning into what some are saying could be Canada's answer to the movement that inspired a modern Brooklyn.

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Add in the stunning historical architecture and a "re-invention of large heritage buildings into active hubs of commerce and culture " seen through examples like the Cannon Knitting Mills and you have a setting where magical transformation can take shape.


And the proof is there.


The city has welcomed various festivals over the summer to date including Hamilton Kicks It Up which animated the city around TO 2015 Pan Am Games, the Because Beer Festival, a great new-ish waterfront event and part of Hamilton's evolving local craft beer scene, along with favourites such as the Hamilton Fringe Festival and the Hamilton World Music Festival.

We had the opportunity to sit down with two of the change makers that are driving the transformation of Hamilton. Tim Potocic (TP), Co-owner of Sonic Unyon and one of the founders of Supercrawl, and Jason Cassis (JC), one of Hamilton's most innovative hospitality and real estate entrepreneurs, shared their thoughts on what is driving this transformation and the exciting things to come.




One can see there is authentic collaboration happening. What's the secret other cities can learn from?

TP: Hamilton has transformed in the last 10-15 years into a community that thrive on working together. Egos are checked at the door - people willing to help others are now in turn thriving.

JC: The change agents actively work together across multiple industries from food to arts to development, with the end goal of a better city in mind - ultimately the city at large wins in this case. Other cities should see the end product of improved neighborhoods as its most important goal, not individual interests.


TP: Music, galleries and small business restauranteurs.


Can you compare the city to another city in the world?

TP: Brooklyn.

JC: Brooklyn, New York a decade ago.



JC: "Because you can do anything in Hamilton."


TP: Massive growth, rebirth of a downtown, downtown living, thriving core one of Canada's cultural hotbeds. In 15-20 years -- the most talked about city in Canada.

JC: Five years -- I believe Hamilton will continue on its path of creating vibrant communities and will be home to wonderful homespun amenities. Those amenities created almost exclusively by the citizens that call it home. Ten Years -- Hamilton will become one of the top three cities to live in in Canada. This will be a result of a city hall that acts as a conduit to lead and engage its change agents to listen closely to its neighborhoods.





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