Our Team
We are HUPEG
The Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (known as "HUPEG") is the proud project lead behind The Commons.
HUPEG is a regional consortium led by Carmen’s Group and the Mercanti Family and Friends that includes Alinea Group Holdings Inc., Mercanti Management Downtown Investments, Vaccarello Investments, Golden Horseshoe Enterprises, JJAA Consulting Services and POWERGROUP Resources.
It is working in collaboration with a growing number of leading industry consultants and development partners including LiUNA, First Ontario Credit Union, Meridian Credit Union and Gowling WLG, among others.
Our Values
We're built different, so
we build different
Both our passion for Hamilton and our incredible partnerships differentiate us from other industry players.
We live, work, and play in the city, so we know and love it the same as you. Our investment in The Commons is as much a personal one as it is a financial one.
With capabilities across all aspects of property development, from concept and design to community engagement and planning, to funding and construction, and everything in between.
We know that Hamilton has had a contentious history with private infrastructure and development investments. Previous plans and promises have not always materialized in a way that has created a more vibrant and enduring city.
We recognize that any truly viable plan requires listening to and working with residents, business owners, Indigenous peoples, community groups and developers to ensure everyone wins.
Building The Commons for all will only be possible through meaningful engagement and dialogue with the community at large.
Founding members
Entertainment partners
Community partners
Our History
The journey has just begun
In 2021, within the framework of Hamilton's plans to guide the development of its downtown, the City transferred operational responsibility of three key downtown entertainment facilities to HUPEG for a 49-year period.
These facilities include the FirstOntario Centre, FirstOntario Concert Hall, and the Hamilton Convention Centre. HUPEG was the successful proponent of a competitive process for the revitalization bid by the Hamilton City Council.
HUPEG then joined forces with Oak View Group (OVG), a Los Angeles-based venue development, advisory, and investment company. OVG is making waves for its entertainment and arena projects in the US and Europe. Led by Tim Leiweke, the former CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the Hamilton project marks the company's first foray into Canada.
We can't build this without you
We believe that engaging with the community to realize this vision will create a more inclusive and transparent process and help to ensure its outcomes meet the needs of its residents, businesses and visitors.
We're calling on all Hamiltonians to share their vision of public space and culture in this city to ensure The Commons sparks passion and pride from all citizens as well as awe and admiration from outsiders.
