The city got a look at Hamilton's first public artists' residence Friday when 95 King St. E. kicked off Art Crawl by opening its doors.

The Gore Park building owned by CityHousing Hamilton will eventually house 12 creative tenants in lofty, modern apartments - and even more will use studio and event space - but only after its managers decide on selection criteria and a contractor to manage the studios.

Redesigned by TCA Architects, the edifice that once housed a downtown nightclub and strip joints boasts exposed brick, high ceilings and handmade wooden doors. In addition to the 12 apartments, there are eight studios and a large event and gallery space.

Architect Bill Curran said his team focused on making the space conducive to building community. Shared washing stations and windows looking into the studios are some of the features designed to help tenants get to know each other, and maybe eventually collaborate.

The building costs were pegged at $3 million and the project seems to be on-budget apart from some finishing touches, CityHousing manager Vimal Sarin said Friday.

Sarin expects the studios to rent for between $200 and $240, while the apartments will likely go for $800 to $850. Estimates last year from CityHousing had predicted rents of about $650.

For a fairly small one-bedroom unit - between 500 and 700 square feet - sound artist Victoria Fenner thought the new price seemed steep.

"At $800, it's not that affordable for your rank-and-file artist," she said Friday, adding she's had a hard time getting details on how tenants would be selected. "I don't know if they have any idea how they're going to decide."

Sarin said the application criteria would be defined by next week. After that, the next step is to go to CityHousing's board with a shortlist of potential operators for the studio and event space.

Sarin said the units will occupied by February at the latest.

"This week's event is merely an introduction . The feeling was more or less to expose the building to everybody."

CityHousing purchased 95 King St. E. in 2008. Sarin said fundraising, building permits and asbestos removal all took up significant chunks of the five years it has taken to get to this point.

Councillor Brian McHattie, president of the CityHousing board of directors, said he understands how the project appears to have moved slowly.

"We're managing 7,000 units across the city and building other housing," he said. "We've been pretty busy with other things and had a major focus on tenant engagement."

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Downtown councillor Jason Farr said the new facility will complement the coming condos at the Royal Connaught Hotel and the burgeoning arts scene on John Street.

"When we contemplate what existed at that location and what is there now, it really is an example of what downtown has become," said Farr, who is also on CityHousing's board.