Harry Stinson (1953-present)
Harry Stinson was born on June 3, 1953 in Toronto is a high-profile real estate developer from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is president of Stinson Properties, Inc. He has been called Toronto's "condo king". Stinson's highest profile project to date has been 1 King West, a condo/hotel point tower that he claims is the "narrowest building in the world" on the basis of its height-to-footprint ratio. It incorporates the former headquarters of The Dominion Bank.
He was promoting the Sapphire Tower, a new residential tower for Toronto's financial district that would have been the tallest residential tower in Toronto at 342 metres (90 stories). He was competing with Donald Trump who is developing the "Trump Tower Toronto", a condo/hotel of similar height. In early 2008 the Sapphire Tower site was sold for 3 times its initial price for $24m.His Dominion Club was closed on September 20, 2006 and sold to the 1 King West Condo Corporation as well as the hotel management contract for $14m.
In March 2007, the "condo king" filed for creditor protection as a result of an $11.8 million dispute with David Mirvish, the financier of 1 King West.
On April 20, 2007, Stinson and Mirvish headed to Ontario Superior Court where on April 23 Mr. Justice Colin Campbell issued an order granting Mr. Stinson permission to continue running One King, but puts him on a short leash and appointed Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. as monitor, with full access to all records of Mr. Stinson’s businesses
On August 24, 2007, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. was appointed Receiver and Manager over the assets, properties and undertakings of several of Mr. Stinson's companies, pursuant to the order of the Honourable Madam Justice Pepall. As of late 2009 the legal battles still continue between Mr. Stinson and Mr. Mirvish.
On February 29, 2008, Stinson signed a $9.5-million contract to purchase the Royal Connaught Hotel at Hamilton. The agreement was secured with a $100,000 deposit and provides a 30 day conditional period for Stinson to secure financing. The concept includes restoration and a substantial addition to the existing Connaught building to include a 100-room boutique luxury hotel and approximately 200 compact one and two bedroom multi-use condominiums. Stinson has confirmed a 100 storey condominium tower with a commercial gallery designed to be an architectural signature piece for downtown Hamilton. Harry Stinson now resides in the city of Hamilton.
On June 2, 2008, Harry Stinson makes a public presentation of his proposed 100-storey Connaught Towers at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce building. It would have made it the tallest building in Canada. Three months later, on Thursday September 4, Harry Stinson closed up the Connaught Towers sales office in downtown Hamilton and the project is officially cancelled.
In April 2009 Harry moved the location of his proposed Hamilton Grand Hotel from John St. beside the Royal Connaught Hotel to the southeast corner of John and Main streets in Hamilton. The hotel is to look like a 19th century building and will operate as a condominium owned hotel complete with street level retail, restaurant and banquet center. The project is still moving forward.
On June 30, 2009, Harry closed on the Stinson School for $1.05m. at 200 Stinson Street turning the former school into loft condominiums. Sales have begun of the lofts and move dates set for June 2011.
