The Other Bird

Henry’s on James

Opportunity

A striking heritage building located in the heart of Hamilton’s James Street North offered the chance to create a supper club and jazz venue unlike anything else in the city. The narrow footprint, original bank features, and rich architectural history presented an opportunity to design an atmospheric, performance-driven space that celebrates Hamilton’s cultural energy while delivering a timeless hospitality experience.

Response

The design draws inspiration from the building’s historic character, layering art deco influences with custom millwork and textured finishes to create an intimate, immersive environment. Banquette seating runs the length of the room, guiding views to a central stage framed by a wood screen with integrated lighting. A wall-length mural, designed in-house, adds bold visual identity while reducing long-term maintenance. Original elements like safe doors and moulded ceilings were carefully retained, integrated seamlessly with new interventions to support acoustics, AV, and back-of-house operations. The result is a richly detailed venue that balances mood, function, and performance.