Developers have been given the green light to create residential units on the top floor of a Hamilton retail building.

A planning application, submitted this year by KO Lambert Architectural Services, proposed converting the top floor of the TJ Pearman Building at the corner of Church Street and Burnaby Street into a pair of two-bedroom apartments.

The ground floor of the building would remain unchanged and continue to serve as a retail space.

The bulk of the changes would be internal, but the project did include the creation of balconies for both units.

Planning documents stated that the property owner intended to use the apartments as vacation rentals which would “bring people to the City” and increase the number of tourism beds available.

A report recommended the plan be approved, stating: “The proposed conversion of the upper storey of the existing building from a former retail shop to two two-bedroom residential units, which meets all minimum residential standards, is in keeping with the overarching goal of the City of Hamilton Plan 2015 to increase residents in the City and is supported.

“While the elevations of the existing building will be altered to accommodate the proposed balconies, the development has been kept to a minimum and will not change the overall architectural features of the building in order to maintain the unique vernacular style of the Upper Burnaby Street area.”

The report writer added: “The re-use and adaptation of this older building for mixed use is commendable and encouraged under the City Plan.

“The residential component will add diversity, increase vitality and is of a scale that is neither detrimental to the Burnaby or Church Street streetscape.”