HAMILTON – For all 66 years of its existence, the historic mansion at 163 Jackson Street West has been the broadcast home of CHCH’s Hamilton news operations. The station launched June 7, 1954.
However, there is a condo project planned for the property now so two years ago, the broadcaster purchased property at 4 Innovation Drive to build new studios and offices.
The existing building at 4 Innovation Drive is a two-storey 23,000 sq-ft office space and following the ground-breaking this morning, construction will start on a 14,000 sq-ft, two-storey addition on the east side of the building.
It will house two 50 x 70 feet, fully digital and 4K-ready studios and one enclosed two-storey skylight-lit internal street, linking the existing building to the studios.
Additional upgrades to the property will include an expanded patio area on the west side of the building for live weather segments, performances, special events and corporate gatherings, an open-air kitchen and bar set for advertising partners to conduct product demos and interview segments on Morning Live, open-concept office configurations designed for social distancing, including remodeled desk spaces, bookable hoteling spaces and staff meeting areas, a portable control room parked on-site for producing live on location at sporting events and concerts, as well as scripted television and film shoots, and a charging station for electric vehicles.
The renovations of the existing building and new studio space is expected to be complete by spring of 2021.
Local dignitaries including Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger (who thanked the station for its news coverage, especially during the pandemic), MP David Sweet (who reminded the folks in attendance of his love for the CHCH-shot Hilarious House of Frightenstein), MPP (and long-time CHCH journalist and anchor) Donna Skelly, and others helped company executives Cal Millar (pictured above), Romen Podzyhun, and Chris Fuoco with the digging.
CHCH produces over 25 hours of original local news programming each week, and is viewed by over 3.2 million people weekly.
