[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[Agricola]

Not to let this become another Us vs. Them thing, but this...
http://cdn.citylab.com/media/img/citylab/legacy/2013/12/16/1.jpg

images from Citylab.com

[Hali87]

Only the lunatic zealot fringe will cycle to any extent here because of the hills and climate. We are spending way to much catering to the cycling lobby by putting in some very poorly thought-out lanes that are largely unused.

I know dozens of people who bike to work or school downtown every day. People tend not to move to Halifax and expect to stay dry all the time, and a lot of people like the challenge/workout aspect of dealing with hills. Adding more bike lanes (in perhaps a more thoughtful and deliberate way) and making the system more interconnected would increase usage on the existing lanes since it would make cycling more practical/safe for a greater number of people. This (and investing in public transit, and as much as you'll hate this, things like the new library) will help attract the 20/30-somethings that are considering Halifax as one of many options.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Not to let this become another Us vs. Them thing, but this...
http://cdn.citylab.com/media/img/citylab/legacy/2013/12/16/1.jpg

images from Citylab.com

Not sure if they made their intended point or not, but IMHO that sure is ugly.

[Drybrain]

Adding more bike lanes (in perhaps a more thoughtful and deliberate way) and making the system more interconnected would increase usage on the existing lanes since it would make cycling more practical/safe for a greater number of people. This (and investing in public transit, and as much as you'll hate this, things like the new library) will help attract the 20/30-somethings that are considering Halifax as one of many options.

Yep.

And for what it's worth, I think Halifax is a great city to cycle in. The urban core is small and it's easy to get almost anywhere quickly, even with out a proper cycling network. A good network, of course, will make it even easier, and safer. Hills aren't that big a deal. If I have to contend with a couple of really hilly blocks, I walk and then hop back on the bike.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I know dozens of people who bike to work or school downtown every day. People tend not to move to Halifax and expect to stay dry all the time, and a lot of people like the challenge/workout aspect of dealing with hills. Adding more bike lanes (in perhaps a more thoughtful and deliberate way) and making the system more interconnected would increase usage on the existing lanes since it would make cycling more practical/safe for a greater number of people. This (and investing in public transit, and as much as you'll hate this, things like the new library) will help attract the 20/30-somethings that are considering Halifax as one of many options.

As one who biked all over the city as a student in my twenties (back when it was far less popular to do so), Halifax is no problem for somebody who is fit and enjoys the excitement and challenge of climbing hills, especially in the driving rain and snow. And, since I was 'invincible' back then the idea of a car or truck clipping me because they couldn't see me in the blinding rain or slid into me on the ice wasn't a worry. I had a number of near misses but almost got a bit of a rush from it every time I swerved or braked to avoid death or injury.

Now that I'm beyond my twenties and thirties and have a busy and hectic life, the challenge of cycling has been replaced by other challenges - these ones more taxing and severe - and it's difficult to see cycling as a practical way of getting around to take care of the needs of career, family, etc. Cycling has instead morphed to something to be done for the pleasure of doing it rather than for practicality.

So, although I would love to see cycling take off and be a major source of transportation, I see it still as a more limited form of mass transit than it would be in other areas with easier weather and flatter terrain.

So at this point I am starting to see things a little from the other side, in that there is a ceiling limit to how much use cycling lanes will get. By all means we should build them (hopefully we can find a practical way to separate them from motor vehicle traffic a little), but we should keep in mind that in Halifax it might never be the all-encompassing solution to traffic congestion and mobility that we hope it will be.

I applaud all who get around using 2 wheels and a heartbeat, but still look forward in hope that we will get a true dedicated and efficient mass transit system, usable by people of all ages and ranges of physical ability.

[halifaxboyns]

As someone who is not fit - the hills would kill me. So I'd walk my bike up them - but once I was on the flats, I'd be happy. :)

[hokus83]

As someone who is not fit - the hills would kill me. So I'd walk my bike up them - but once I was on the flats, I'd be happy. :)

thats what gears are for. going up any hill in the city in low gear with a good bike is like putting a knife through butter

[worldlyhaligonian]

Dedicated lanes are still needed, not paint, real curbs to separate cyclists from the suburban maniacs.

[counterfactual]

I'm more often biking cross town, rather than up and down Citadel Hill.

Other than that, it's actually pretty flat.

[Duff]

Yesterday from the hill

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15534505920_14c544ff53_h.jpg

[fenwick16]

Ziobrop has some great close-up shots of the assembly method of the tub girders. In this picture, there are vertical gusset plates that bolt the tub girders together. There is also a plate on the bottom that has a hole pattern: will this plate also be bolted? It looks like a significant amount of work to bolt each tub girder together.

On a different topic, the Chronicle Herald quoted Joe Ramia stating that the glass curtain wall could start being installed by March 2015 - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1246372-taylor-action-on-nova-centre-welcomed.


(source: Ziobrop, http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/)

http://38.media.tumblr.com/5d24371787b5a92c232e9c51c71d1daf/tumblr_nekcne182N1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[JHikka]

Dedicated lanes are still needed, not paint, real curbs to separate cyclists from the suburban maniacs.

Ottawa does this Downtown to great effect.

[Ziobrop]

Ziobrop has some great close-up shots of the assembly method of the tub girders. In this picture, there are vertical gusset plates that bolt the tub girders together. There is also a plate on the bottom that has a hole pattern: will this plate also be bolted? It looks like a significant amount of work to bolt each tub girder together.

On a different topic, the Chronicle Herald quoted Joe Ramia stating that the glass curtain wall could start being installed by March 2015 - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1246372-taylor-action-on-nova-centre-welcomed.


(source: Ziobrop, http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/)

http://38.media.tumblr.com/5d24371787b5a92c232e9c51c71d1daf/tumblr_nekcne182N1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg


Yes. The guesset plates are bolted on the bottom and both sides.
I don't have a timeline for the curtain wall, but they can start once the tower is taller so the wall isn't damaged by the upper floors still under construction

[OldDartmouthMark]

Yes. The guesset plates are bolted on the bottom and both sides.
I don't have a timeline for the curtain wall, but they can start once the tower is taller so the wall isn't damaged by the upper floors still under construction

It was a little surprising to me when I looked at that photo that the cross-sectional area of the gusset plates appears to be less that that of the I-beam. Not a problem under load for the top of the "I", as it would be typically under compressive loads, and the webbing doesn't contribute much to the load capacity of the beam, but for the bottom it would appear that the gusset plate will be the weakest link under tension.

That said, people more in the know than I have done the calculations and inspections so I'm sure it is just fine. It just looks a little strange to me, as I don't get to see the nuts-and-bolts of a building such as this very often.

Great pics, by the way! :tup:

[fenwick16]

It was a little surprising to me when I looked at that photo that the cross-sectional area of the gusset plates appears to be less that that of the I-beam. Not a problem under load for the top of the "I", as it would be typically under compressive loads, and the webbing doesn't contribute much to the load capacity of the beam, but for the bottom it would appear that the gusset plate will be the weakest link under compression.


I think they have matching gusset plates on both sides (which is what I think Ziobrop stated). In the picture below you can just make out a matching gusset plate on the inside of the tub girder so the two gusset plates are in effect double the thickness of the single gusset plate in the previous picture. It appears as though the two plates together are about the same thickness as the large steel plates that make up the tub girder assembly.

I wonder if the gusset plates will also be welded, or maybe that is an overkill? It is rare to get such an upclose view of such a complex construction project. Thanks again to Ziobrop.

(source: Ziobrop http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/)

http://38.media.tumblr.com/da1aaeaa0e62c843f3055f0dffc00133/tumblr_nemrchnq461sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[OldDartmouthMark]

I think they have matching gusset plates on both sides (which is what I think Ziobrop stated). In the picture below you can just make out a matching gusset plate on the inside of the tub girder so the two gusset plates are in effect double the thickness of the single gusset plate in the previous picture. It appears as though the two plates together are about the same thickness as the large steel plates that make up the tub girder assembly.

I wonder if the gusset plates will also be welded, or maybe that is an overkill? It is rare to get such an upclose view of such a complex construction project. Thanks again to Ziobrop.

(source: Ziobrop http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/)

http://38.media.tumblr.com/da1aaeaa0e62c843f3055f0dffc00133/tumblr_nemrchnq461sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

That makes sense, plus I'm sure the stress distribution will be a little different given that they are tub girders rather than the I-beam example that I was considering. Thanks for helping to clarify.

[ns_kid]

At an "update" event at the Delta Halifax, developer Joe Ramia disclosed today that the Nova Centre is behind schedule and over budget: probably unsurprising news but disappointing nonetheless.

The project is now set for completion by the end of September of 2016, nine months behind schedule. That's important because it displaces something like 17 conventions that had been booked into the facility during that period.

Trade Centre Limited CEO Scott Fergusons says he's confident every one of them can be retained and rescheduled. I suspect organizers of the remaining 13 conferences booked for after September are feeling a bit more nervous.

Ramia blamed harsh weather last winter (was it that much worse than usual?) and the lengthy consultation process (we can grant him that) for the delays. But he says that now that the hard part (the excavation and sub grade) is done, it should be smooth sailing from here on.

He says the project is "a little" over budget but didn't say what that means.

Ramia is still not disclosing any tenants or naming the hotel, though he says a brand has been secured. He says that announcement will be up to the hotel chain.

[hokus83]

All that shouldn't account for a +9 month delay

[Colin May]

At an "update" event at the Delta Halifax, developer Joe Ramia disclosed today that the Nova Centre is behind schedule and over budget: probably unsurprising news but disappointing nonetheless.

The project is now set for completion by the end of September of 2016, nine months behind schedule. That's important because it displaces something like 17 conventions that had been booked into the facility during that period.

Trade Centre Limited CEO Scott Fergusons says he's confident every one of them can be retained and rescheduled. I suspect organizers of the remaining 13 conferences booked for after September are feeling a bit more nervous.

Ramia blamed harsh weather last winter (was it that much worse than usual?) and the lengthy consultation process (we can grant him that) for the delays. But he says that now that the hard part (the excavation and sub grade) is done, it should be smooth sailing from here on.

He says the project is "a little" over budget but didn't say what that means.

Ramia is still not disclosing any tenants or naming the hotel, though he says a brand has been secured. He says that announcement will be up to the hotel chain.
Canadian professional organisations such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants hold a convention in each province on a rotating basis. The same groups which went to TCL 5 years ago will come to Halifax in 5 years.
Note that Ferguson does not tell you the new bookings as opposed to the regular returnees. Transparency has rarely been a word associated with the management of TCL.

[fenwick16]

Canadian professional organisations such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants hold a convention in each province on a rotating basis. The same groups which went to TCL 5 years ago will come to Halifax in 5 years.
Note that Ferguson does not tell you the new bookings as opposed to the regular returnees. Transparency has rarely been a word associated with the management of TCL.


If someone can post a list of the (previously) scheduled conventions it would only require a simple internet search to determine which organizations have held meetings in Halifax before.

Did anyone actually pose this question to Scott Ferguson: How many events scheduled for the Nova Centre are new bookings as opposed to regular returnees?

[Colin May]

If someone can post a list of the (previously) scheduled conventions it would only require a simple internet search to determine which organizations have held meetings in Halifax before.

Did anyone actually pose this question to Scott Ferguson: How many events scheduled for the Nova Centre are new bookings as opposed to regular returnees?
This year the annual Cdn Assoc of Police Governance, i.e Police Boards, met in Halifax.
Groups such FCM -the municipal politicians gabfest that travels the country, as do Nurses, doctors, dentists, professional engineers, architects, accountants, lawyers, cops, firemen, the legion, music awards.
They hit the 10 provinces and a few hit the territories. They are meetings you can take to the bank.
Scientists breakdown into specialties and then there are the university groups. There is a guaranteed minimum usage for every province and there is no real competition outside Halifax for conventions coming to Nova scotia - fly in, make a speech, enjoy a meal and fly out is common for many attendees. And the hotels jack up the room dates for non-convention visitors who come to Halifax when a national convention comes to town.
Don't expect the press to ask probing questions of Ferguson or even our Premier or our Mayor. They just take the pap handed to them.

[fenwick16]

I haven't seen much progress on the steel work (tub girders) since Ziobrop posted this picture on November 21st - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/103209977093 . Does anyone know what is happening?

[worldlyhaligonian]

I haven't seen much progress on the steel work (tub girders) since Ziobrop posted this picture on November 21st - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/103209977093 . Does anyone know what is happening?

He updates it every day... click the Nova Centre link from that page.

[fenwick16]

He updates it every day... click the Nova Centre link from that page.

If you compare Ziobrop's picture from November 21st - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/103209977093 and today on this link - http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/ it appears as though progress on the steelwork has come to a hault for some reason. Maybe Ziobrop knows why?

[Ziobrop]

If you compare Ziobrop's picture from November 21st - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/103209977093 and today on this link - http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/ it appears as though progress on the steelwork has come to a hault for some reason. Maybe Ziobrop knows why?

Cherubini is doing all the iron work on site. They are currently setting up a platform in the mech room under the parking ramp - I guess this has a higher priority at the moment. Ill have some photos of this later this week. ( was going to go today, but the rain sucks for photos)

you can see the 4 posts going in here:
http://41.media.tumblr.com/ee9f6fa6cc18d2ba979420de04692332/tumblr_nfrg3hbTPB1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

[fenwick16]

Cherubini is doing all the iron work on site. They are currently setting up a platform in the mech room under the parking ramp - I guess this has a higher priority at the moment. Ill have some photos of this later this week. ( was going to go today, but the rain sucks for photos)

you can see the 4 posts going in here:
http://41.media.tumblr.com/ee9f6fa6cc18d2ba979420de04692332/tumblr_nfrg3hbTPB1sjmgsso1_500.jpg



Thank you Ziobrop. It will be interesting to see how this platform in the mechanical room ties into the rest of the steelwork.

[Ziobrop]

Thank you Ziobrop. It will be interesting to see how this platform in the mechanical room ties into the rest of the steelwork.

http://36.media.tumblr.com/c3ac263242ff1cca53f4c43e5be305c8/tumblr_ng2ike6OZ51sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/b1c740365ef88acbf0fd9a294bc74222/tumblr_ng4ik3uyys1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[Ziobrop]

Night time Water and Sewer connections going in.

http://40.media.tumblr.com/2c25a7a1b87e5c473bc66ff8f70e90b2/tumblr_ngas5t9OVw1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/0a163d3a4055893fb51b76a95bfd1619/tumblr_ngas5ckdWZ1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[Jonovision]

The site was very busy yesterday.

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10845944_10100510010951709_7215089640718596311_n.jpg?oh=5c654a4db4e8a406bac8484b75b34a1f&oe=54FA6DFF

[Jonovision]

A new angle.

https://38.media.tumblr.com/f070126fddaebbe1085f84c055939f3e/tumblr_ngiz9idI1c1sk8kjeo1_1280.jpg

[ns_kid]

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the Thiel Group's challenge of the province's use of a Statement of Provincial Interest to allow the Nova Centre subgrade work to proceed prior to conclusion of the development agreement.

In his decision, Justice Edwards said there was nothing in the evidence to show that then-Minister MacDonell acted in bad faith when he approved the SPI, and the court agreed with the province that the minister was acting within his authority.

The court dismissed the complaint and ordered Thiel to pay costs.

[Ziobrop]

The lobby is now mostly open space.
From http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

http://41.media.tumblr.com/bc27fc11ece372e32d35ed31027250e4/tumblr_nhk61tbaQS1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[eastcoastal]

The lobby is now mostly open space.
From http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

http://41.media.tumblr.com/bc27fc11ece372e32d35ed31027250e4/tumblr_nhk61tbaQS1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

Those columns look massive - I'd love it if some sort of monumental quality could be maintained in that lobby space...

[JET]

The lobby is now mostly open space.
From http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

http://41.media.tumblr.com/bc27fc11ece372e32d35ed31027250e4/tumblr_nhk61tbaQS1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

I love those killer stairs! :tup:

[Keith P.]

That appears to be an escalator base, a much more appropriate design.

Expect to see the anti-CC crowd use this pic as an example of what our convention center will look like when finished. ;)

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Escalator good. Stairs bad. :)

[Ziobrop]

That appears to be an escalator base, a much more appropriate design.

Expect to see the anti-CC crowd use this pic as an example of what our convention center will look like when finished. ;)

No those are stairs. The escalators go next to it. There are indents in the slab for them.

[fenwick16]

The lobby is now mostly open space.
From http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

http://41.media.tumblr.com/bc27fc11ece372e32d35ed31027250e4/tumblr_nhk61tbaQS1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg


I think that the lobby will look very impressive once completed (even now it looks impressive).

I am surprised by how long it has taken to install the tub girders. Even now, at least one girder seems to be out of position. I thought months ago that by now the concrete floor would have been installed on top of the girders, and most of the Ballroom steel structure would be complete. However, maybe they need to keep that space open for some reason?

I sometimes wonder if having Argyle Developments privately finance such a major project has slowed the progress. Currently, Argyle Developments is responsible for finding financing for the construction then, once the project is essentially complete, the federal contribution of ~ 60 million will be injected; the provincial and municipal payments will be capital lease payments made over a period of 25 years once the project is complete and in operation.

[terrynorthend]

No those are stairs. The escalators go next to it. There are indents in the slab for them.

Ah, that makes sense. I couldn't figure out how all those landings would work with an escalator.

[eastcoastal]

That appears to be an escalator base, a much more appropriate design.
...

Escalators, based only one what I've seen, tend to have their supports integrated within the units themselves... the building must be designed for bearing at each floor slab, but the span itself is handled by the escalator unit. I don't expect escalators should have so many mid-span landings, and I also assume that it typically makes sense for the undersides of escalators be accessible for service?

If that's the case, those must be Killer Stairs™

[Keith P.]

Escalators, based only one what I've seen, tend to have their supports integrated within the units themselves... the building must be designed for bearing at each floor slab, but the span itself is handled by the escalator unit. I don't expect escalators should have so many mid-span landings, and I also assume that it typically makes sense for the undersides of escalators be accessible for service?

Already been clarified by another poster that escalators will flank this on either side.

If that's the case, those must be Killer Stairs™

No, since those stairs shown are only for backup to the escalators and will be mostly unused. Killer Stairs™ are those that are foolishly meant to be the primary means of access to upper floors as part of a social engineering objective. If these were Killer Stairs™ there would be no escalators at all.

[JET]

Keith, I'm worried that someone has trademarked 'Killer Stairs' for engineering rather than musical purposes; sounds like some sort of lapse on your part, or potentially a good lawsuit.

[Keith P.]

Keith, I'm worried that someone has trademarked 'Killer Stairs' for engineering rather than musical purposes; sounds like some sort of lapse on your part, or potentially a good lawsuit.

I shall have my people look into it. :hmmm:

[lawsond]

"Killer Stairs" was a punk band from the 80s. "Lost in the New Library...I can no longer read happily...."

[fenwick16]

Based on Ziobrop's tumblr page - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/108112203853/5-in-place, all the tub girders are in place.

I can also see from the Nova Scotia webcams page that cross members are being installed between the tub girders, which I assume are to support the steel decking (or wood forms) for the concrete floor over the main Exhibition Hall.

I wonder if it will be possible to pour the Exhibition Hall ceiling/Grafton Street floor during the winter? (the area below the concrete can he heated but will it be too cold above?). If the concrete can be poured during the winter then more of the interior work can be done during the winter.

(source: http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/ )
http://images.novascotiawebcams.com/novacentre/2015/01/16/22/novacentre_20150116-223604_EZRLmgqrCYVdI2Be.jpg

[fenwick16]

Since the large tub girders are now in place, I wonder if the crawler crane will be moved soon (or even completely removed from the construction site)? It will be in the way where it is currently located.

[bluenoser]

The girders seem to be oddly spaced (at least at the moment); I suppose more support is needed for vehicles around the entrance to the parkade?

I wonder if the ceiling of that convention space will be recessed to some extent? Those girders are huge, so there is a lot of space in between them. Could make the room feel bigger - or it could look cheesy, I don't know.

From Ziobrop's blog:
http://41.media.tumblr.com/ed6ea64518085119afbd9851a47f3080/tumblr_nia7qtzS5z1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/ed6ea64518085119afbd9851a47f3080/tumblr_nia7qtzS5z1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[ns_kid]

It's Revenge of the Thiels, Part II.

This morning, the Thiel Group filed a notice of appeal at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeals, taking issue with last month's Supreme Court decision on Nova Centre.

Thiel, you'll recall, was challenging the province's right to allow Argyle Developments to proceed with construction of the Nova Centre subgrade through the use of a Statement of Provincial Interest, without waiting for an HRM development agreement. In December, Justice Frank Edwards disagreed, saying the Minister of Municipal Affairs (then Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations) acted well within his authority. The court even awarded nominal costs against Thiel. Thiel disagrees, saying the province gave Argyle an unfair leg-up on the competition.

So the bun fight continues, even though Thiel is not looking to stop the development or ask for damages. They just want the court to slap the province's wrist, to preserve that mythical "level playing field".

[halifaxboyns]

There is no 'level playing field' when it comes to being involved in a Provincial project. These guys need to just accept that they weren't chosen and move on. Or as my cousin would say 'would you like some cheese with your WHINNNNEE?'.

[fenwick16]

Have they continued to pour concrete during the winter months? I hope the progress will become more apparent over the next several months.

Is the Nova Centre expected to be topped during 2015? (the interior won't be completed until 2016)

[musicman]

Been hearing rumours that the form company walked off the job last week... Anybody have any info on this wether it is true or not?

[fenwick16]

Been hearing rumours that the form company walked off the job last week... Anybody have any info on this wether it is true or not?


In this picture taken by Ziobrop on January 30th, 2015 I can see a couple of workers who appear to be installing rebar - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/109589030388

There is a story in the Chronicle Herald regarding the slow down in work, which is attributed to the snow and cold weather - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1266546-taylor-halifax%E2%80%99s-nova-centre-alive-and-going-forward. I wonder if some of the concrete workers have been asked to stay home until the weather improves? Concrete can't be poured below a certain temperature (near freezing) unless the area is enclosed and heated.

TAYLOR: Halifax’s Nova Centre alive and going forward
ROGER TAYLOR
Published January 30, 2015 - 7:43pm
Last Updated January 30, 2015 - 7:45pm
.
.
Recently, rumours suggested that work on the $500-million multifaceted venture had been stopped, but Joe Ramia, CEO of Argyle Developments Inc., says nothing could be further from the truth.

Some people may be tempted to judge how things are going from what they can see from the street or on the Nova Scotia Webcams view of Nova Centre progress, but that can be deceiving.

Work was slowed due to poor weather conditions recently, Ramia says, but that was expected at this time of year. In fact, this has been a good winter for outdoor construction, especially when compared with the previous winter, he said.

“When it snows, you can’t work and the next day you have to clean up. It’s an expensive proposition,” Ramia told me Friday.
.
.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Misinformation at this stage is just laughable. Like, really? What's next?

I'm pretty sure they're doing well for February due to the nice weather in December.

[fenwick16]

Been hearing rumours that the form company walked off the job last week... Anybody have any info on this wether it is true or not?

Based on viewing the Nova Scotia webcams webpage - http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/ - there was quite a bit of activity on the construction site today likely due to the mild temperatures. I saw several workers, concrete mixer trucks and it appears as though a large section of floor was poured.

Temperatures are forecast to become significantly colder though, so the observable construction activity might be infrequent until the temperatures become consistently milder.

[hokus83]

Think they made up any lost time they said they were behind by due to the above average mild winter we had and two months straight with pretty much no snow

[fenwick16]

Ziobrop has several pictures uploaded today on his tumblr page - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/ (builthalifax). They are progressing with the Grafton Street floor (Exhibition Hall ceiling) wood forms in spite of the cold weather. I assume they will start laying the rebar within the next week (just my wishful thinking).

If Halifax has a string of mild days in February maybe we will see the floor poured before the end of the month.

Here is one of Ziobrop's pictures from today (Feb 12) inside Exhibit Hall A.

http://40.media.tumblr.com/a69096a611a863b8f6973882c37a7ae9/tumblr_njo4p7cmAY1sjmgsso1_1280.jpg

[Jonovision]

https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10941509_10100561763703779_1632354828167170149_n.jpg?oh=07fe2a35f11af2ee44d3686a4d3ef38b&oe=558BBF9C

[Jonovision]

The hotel tower has finally started to rise above Market Street.

https://40.media.tumblr.com/442dc62bad9821e72cfaf58e2b80283c/tumblr_nl05srL0Uf1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://41.media.tumblr.com/e18f4d8ec4e796e697b3d03f9a9f230a/tumblr_nl05tbzarN1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/4aaf12a74798d0ed3832f3e49301da33/tumblr_nl05ti93UC1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[ns_kid]

The hotel tower has finally started to rise above Market Street.

AllNovaScotia has reported that Ramia is in discussions with Marriott Hotels to brand the 19-storey Nova Centre hotel with one of its "upscale" brands. Given that Marriott has five hotels in Halifax now (with the acquisition in January of the city's two Deltas), this would certainly give the chain a pretty significant chunk of the hospitality trade here. This may surprise some who thought the Hilton chain was most likely to attach to the Nova Centre.

Publicity around the Nova Centre has always attached the word "luxury" to the hotel component. The Marriott has several high-end brands, including J.W. Marriott, Rennissance and Ritz-Carlton. All would be a strong addition to the local market but I can't help but think it will put further pressure on some other established players in town, like the Westin.

Of course ANS cites only unnamed "sources familiar with the situation" for this information and their success rate with such predictions is spotty at best. The same story says Ramia is in discussions with Westerkirk Capital, owned by the Thomson family, as he tries to attract investors to the project.

[ILoveHalifax]

I certainly prefer Marriott to Hilton. Seems to me Hilton is a lower tier brand

[Jonovision]

It would be great to get a Ritz Carlton.

You can see the mobile crane for the roy in this from my way to work.

This view will have a crazy amount of cranes!

https://41.media.tumblr.com/c20ec551de49dc3c30379a12a56f8d3d/tumblr_nl77f3yMeJ1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[fenwick16]

I see that workers were on site today at the Nova Centre covering up the Exhibition Hall ceiling with tarps (Grafton Street floor level) - http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/. They must be protecting the area from the forecast blizzard, in order to make it easier to clean up.

Several days were spent uncovering this Grafton Street section of snow and ice during the past week as shown in Ziobrop's tumblr page - http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/post/113436276653/cleaning-ice (ice was dumped into the level below).

What is with the Halifax area weather? For the past couple of weeks in the GTA we have had daytime temperatures above freezing and much of the snow covered ground has become visible whereas it has been mostly freezing temperatures in the Halifax area. Hopefully the Halifax area temperatures will warm soon so that the Nova Centre can proceed full steam ahead.

[Colin May]

I see that workers were on site today at the Nova Centre covering up the Exhibition Hall ceiling with tarps (Grafton Street floor level) - [url]

What is with the Halifax area weather? For the past couple of weeks in the GTA we have had daytime temperatures above freezing and much of the snow covered ground has become visible whereas it has been mostly freezing temperatures in the Halifax area. Hopefully the Halifax area temperatures will warm soon so that the Nova Centre can proceed full steam ahead.

Welcome to climate change, and look here http://iceweb1.cis.ec.gc.ca/Prod20/page3.xhtml
two years ago it was clear and one year ago there was very little; and 40 years ago it was slightly better

[Keith P.]

What is with the Halifax area weather? For the past couple of weeks in the GTA we have had daytime temperatures above freezing and much of the snow covered ground has become visible whereas it has been mostly freezing temperatures in the Halifax area. Hopefully the Halifax area temperatures will warm soon so that the Nova Centre can proceed full steam ahead.

After this storm, the rest of the week is supposed to be way too cold for this time of year too. Going to be a very late spring. Miserable.

[coolmillion]

AllNovaScotia has reported that Ramia is in discussions with Marriott Hotels to brand the 19-storey Nova Centre hotel with one of its "upscale" brands. Given that Marriott has five hotels in Halifax now (with the acquisition in January of the city's two Deltas), this would certainly give the chain a pretty significant chunk of the hospitality trade here. This may surprise some who thought the Hilton chain was most likely to attach to the Nova Centre.

Publicity around the Nova Centre has always attached the word "luxury" to the hotel component. The Marriott has several high-end brands, including J.W. Marriott, Rennissance and Ritz-Carlton. All would be a strong addition to the local market but I can't help but think it will put further pressure on some other established players in town, like the Westin.

The upscale direction is interesting and makes me think that they are more interested in bringing something new to the city than providing rooms for convention-goers (who, for the most part, would probably choose middle-market hotels and not luxury). I've been to a few large conferences in the US and Canada and the onsite hotels are usually large run-of-the-mill Hiltons, Sheratons, etc. I would be very surprised if the Ritz-Carlton opened here. I believe there are currently only two locations in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto). I don't know much about the other Marriott brands but a Fairmont wouldn't be completely out of place in Halifax given their other Canadian locations (including Winnipeg, Victoria, Edmonton, etc.).

[hokus83]

The upscale direction is interesting and makes me think that they are more interested in bringing something new to the city than providing rooms for convention-goers (who, for the most part, would probably choose middle-market hotels and not luxury). I've been to a few large conferences in the US and Canada and the onsite hotels are usually large run-of-the-mill Hiltons, Sheratons, etc. I would be very surprised if the Ritz-Carlton opened here. I believe there are currently only two locations in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto). I don't know much about the other Marriott brands but a Fairmont wouldn't be completely out of place in Halifax given their other Canadian locations (including Winnipeg, Victoria, Edmonton, etc.).

head offices usually play for the hotel room for any business orientated convention so the price of the hotel is almost null for a large % of the people that are going to be at some of them.

[coolmillion]

head offices usually play for the hotel room for any business orientated convention so the price of the hotel is almost null for a large % of the people that are going to be at some of them.

I know that hotel rooms for conventions and conferences are not paid for by attendees (for the most part) but I would imagine that most companies are still quite conscious of how their money is spent, preferring mid-range accommodations. Many events will be also be for academic and professional organizations that use some (or lots) of public money. I guess the fact that there are other hotels within a few blocks will mean that there are a range of options.

[Empire]

Mar. 15 Nova Centre

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/empire1_2007/novacentre_20150315-155841_rbUtfOXsLIcK1n7a_zpsuz4irg07.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/empire1_2007/media/novacentre_20150315-155841_rbUtfOXsLIcK1n7a_zpsuz4irg07.jpg.html)

Source:
http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/

[fenwick16]

Mar. 15 Nova Centre

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/empire1_2007/novacentre_20150315-155841_rbUtfOXsLIcK1n7a_zpsuz4irg07.jpg (http://s132.photobucket.com/user/empire1_2007/media/novacentre_20150315-155841_rbUtfOXsLIcK1n7a_zpsuz4irg07.jpg.html)

Source:
http://images.novascotiawebcams.com/novacentre/2015/03/15/15/novacentre_20150315-155841_rbUtfOXsLIcK1n7a.jpg


A terrible looking day!

On the plus side, it appears as though the boom for the Roy Building crane has been assembled.

[someone123]

After this storm, the rest of the week is supposed to be way too cold for this time of year too. Going to be a very late spring. Miserable.

It is pretty bad. At this point of the year, a normal day at the airport is +4, but the forecast is calling for -3 up to 0 for the next week. There's a decent chance that February was the coldest month ever recorded at the airport weather station.

[Ziobrop]

After this storm, the rest of the week is supposed to be way too cold for this time of year too. Going to be a very late spring. Miserable.

This weather is the fault of everyone who loved December. We always get our days of winter, this year shifted to the spring.

The tarps keep the snow off, but then also get life's off from thier comets with the crane, then they dump the snow somewhere. Easier then shovelling or trying to melt that much snow

[worldlyhaligonian]

This weather is the fault of everyone who loved December. We always get our days of winter, this year shifted to the spring.

The tarps keep the snow off, but then also get life's off from thier comets with the crane, then they dump the snow somewhere. Easier then shovelling or trying to melt that much snow

Smart! Thanks for all the pictures and details.

Many of us never thought we'd see even the construction due to obstructionists, so the little delays aren't so bothersome. The warm weather will come soon and at the perfect time for construction to ramp up.

There are going to be some great events held there when its complete and I can see the downtown summers being very vibrant once the Maple and Roy are complete.

Now... just waiting on the Alexander, International Place, and the Trinity... :tup:

[Jonovision]

A little bit of crane porn.

https://40.media.tumblr.com/5a6d65dac427e6dd6e06885088ce98ec/tumblr_nl9p3b3ixk1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[ns_kid]

After this storm, the rest of the week is supposed to be way too cold for this time of year too. Going to be a very late spring. Miserable.

The current weather modelling is predicting below average temperatures until at least late April. If that's the case, it will mean we will have endured almost four months of virtually uninterrrupted below-normal temperatures.

God must be punishing us for something.

On the bright side, with snowpack well above the norm in most parts of the province, a slow melt is not a bad thing. The risk of spring thaw flooding is significant in some areas.

[Haliguy]

The current weather modelling is predicting below average temperatures until at least late April. If that's the case, it will mean we will have endured almost four months of virtually uninterrrupted below-normal temperatures.

God must be punishing us for something.

On the bright side, with snowpack well above the norm in most parts of the province, a slow melt is not a bad thing. The risk of spring thaw flooding is significant in some areas.


You mean 2 months...Dec and feb had above average

[ns_kid]

You mean 2 months...Dec and feb had above average

December and January had above average values. February, March and, likely, April will be below. (The average temperature for February was about 5 degrees below normal.)

But you are right. I miscounted. That would be three months, not four. i make no predictions for May. :rant:

[Jonovision]

https://40.media.tumblr.com/cc0873c2b1163cd56ca85f328e812ab2/tumblr_nlcykczEY71sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/cb2fb04d7ffcdaceabff27d7366f9797/tumblr_nlcykm55Qf1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[worldlyhaligonian]

Does it switch to steel frame construction after a certain number of floors?

[fenwick16]

Does it switch to steel frame construction after a certain number of floors?

Based on what I have read, the southwest corner above the Exhibition A is steel construction including the retail area in that corner and main ballroom (but with concrete floors). The office towers and hotel tower will probably continue as concrete.

Hopefully Ziobrop can tell us where these steel members will be attached:

(source: http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/ )
http://41.media.tumblr.com/a6c8aedc10dfa12c9ac1ddd8e5987ff7/tumblr_nld6f1iGvz1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

[kph06]

Based on what I have read, the southwest corner above the Exhibition A is steel construction including the retail area in that corner and main ballroom (but with concrete floors). The office towers and hotel tower will probably continue as concrete.

Hopefully Ziobrop can tell us where these steel members will be attached:

(source: http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/ )
http://41.media.tumblr.com/a6c8aedc10dfa12c9ac1ddd8e5987ff7/tumblr_nld6f1iGvz1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

Those look to be lateral supports that will fix to the concrete slab and brace the tower crane. Judging by the location I would say we are due to see the flat top crane grow soon.

[fenwick16]

Those look to be lateral supports that will fix to the concrete slab and brace the tower crane. Judging by the location I would say we are due to see the flat top crane grow soon.


Thanks for the information kph06. I looked it up after reading your post and from the pictures on the internet it does look like tie-beam supports like in the picture (below). I had never noticed these before in Halifax area development pictures. Are these commonly used?

(source: http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-22172-towers-towers-towers/2/)
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/pictures/tietowercrane.jpg

[kph06]

Thanks for the information kph06. I looked it up after reading your post and from the pictures on the internet it does look like tie-beam supports like in the picture (below). I had never noticed these before in Halifax area development pictures. Are these commonly used?

(source: http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-22172-towers-towers-towers/2/)
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/pictures/tietowercrane.jpg

Some of the taller cranes used them, TD Bank extension and the Trillium used them recently.

[fenwick16]

Workers have been working late nights and Saturday to once again get the snow cleared off the Grafton Street level (it must be frustrating that they had to do it twice after late winter snow storms).

The weather for the coming week is forecast to have mostly daytime temperatures above freezing (as it should be for this time of year) so maybe the concrete floor for Grafton Street (Exhibit A Hall ceiling) will be poured before the end of March.

It is so great to have all the closeup pictures and Nova Scotia Webcams live view to follow various construction projects. I can remember when people had to hope for pictures in the local newspapers or go to a construction site in person to see construction progress (yeah for the internet!). After moving to Ontario in 1980 and prior to the internet there were many years when I had little knowledge of what was happening in Halifax and Nova Scotia (it isn't covered much in the news up here).

(source: http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/ )
http://images.novascotiawebcams.com/novacentre/2015/03/21/20/novacentre_20150321-200041_eA1s9THhQsUDltWY.jpg

[Jonovision]

A few from today. The crane on the corner of Prince and Argyle has been secured to the rising structure.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/3fab025c361a57b94a554e93b0c39b3f/tumblr_nlpym7LqS71sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://41.media.tumblr.com/f819464a4244ac9259be7108da601cc9/tumblr_nlpymgVetX1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/720a32f181c5eaba030e08109c90e475/tumblr_nlpymv06331sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://36.media.tumblr.com/6f62af2d121124a8bbad652de86cf76d/tumblr_nlpyn4tHwJ1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[halifaxboyns]

I was looking at the floor plan data on their website in comparison to the current centre - what a big difference in terms of convention sizes there will be. I was really impressed! It will be interesting to see how busy (in terms of utilization) this facility gets since it's about 4x the size of the current centre.

[Jonovision]

The first of the steel for the ballroom floor went up along argyle today. Pics tomorrow.

[Ziobrop]

Images from http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

Slab being poured today. Note the forms for the crane anchor bolts in the center of the image.
http://40.media.tumblr.com/7d39f1e8b5c7a48f131d751e984c353d/tumblr_nlvomfQXcF1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

This is just the start of the steel. these steel columns will actually be encased in Concrete and the ball room be one level up.

http://41.media.tumblr.com/24a63686f92fcfb48b563670685003c7/tumblr_nlvoksOhGn1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

http://36.media.tumblr.com/3d62221d4b4a603a129b7f778c77a958/tumblr_nlvol1JZ9U1sjmgsso1_500.jpg

[fenwick16]

Images from http://novacenter.builthalifax.ca/

Slab being poured today. Note the forms for the crane anchor bolts in the center of the image.

Those are amazing close-ups. You must have a lot of connections to be allowed on the construction site :tup:

20 years ago people would have had little knowledge of the construction methods being employed in such a project as the Nova Centre. The internet has really changed the world with the easy access to knowledge in all fields of interest.

I find watching the construction progress of the Nova Centre and other Halifax area projects more interesting than most movies even though I am a movie buff. I am looking forward to seeing extraordinary progress over the next few months as the towers rise and as the structural steel of the convention centre is assembled.

[Ziobrop]

Those are amazing close-ups. You must have a lot of connections to be allowed on the construction site :tup:



I have an arangement with argyle developments. I Am basically a contractor and need to carry insurance to go on site. But basically can come and go as I please. When they need progress photos for whatever I make a few bucks.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I have an arangement with argyle developments. I Am basically a contractor and need to carry insurance to go on site. But basically can come and go as I please. When they need progress photos for whatever I make a few bucks.

Everybody here appreciates your updates!

[terrynorthend]

I have an arangement with argyle developments. I Am basically a contractor and need to carry insurance to go on site. But basically can come and go as I please. When they need progress photos for whatever I make a few bucks.

Yes, great work. It also helps that you clearly understand what is going on at a complex construction site, the things which are significant to take pictures of, and how various components are going to take shape. :cheers:

[Jonovision]

Thanks for all the close up pics and info Ziobrop!

A few from yesterday.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/ac8e896b9d20eff677dc82290abac6fd/tumblr_nlxequCSsG1sk8kjeo1_1280.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/b868a4a8919fcc632f2d2ef5155ed925/tumblr_nlxeq3oHxX1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

https://40.media.tumblr.com/94a807fbd6a3ed106e90223b4ba688db/tumblr_nlvmc1LzKR1sk8kjeo1_540.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thanks for all the close up pics and info Ziobrop!

A few from yesterday.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/ac8e896b9d20eff677dc82290abac6fd/tumblr_nlxequCSsG1sk8kjeo1_1280.jpg

You were able to get a picture of the cranes from 3 different construction projects - Roy, Nova Centre and 5445 Rainnie Drive. Maybe the crane for the Dillon will go up soon also?

I see construction workers are on site today at the Nova Centre - http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/nova-centre/

[Ziobrop]

Maybe the crane for the Dillon will go up soon also?



Nope, apparently its being done without a tower crane - 1592 barrington style i guess.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Thanks for all the close up pics and info Ziobrop!

Yes! Props for Ziobrop! :tup:

[musicman]

Must be RCS doing it..... They seem to like doing things the hard way.... Somebody there thought a square wheel was a good idea...lol

[Jonovision]

Nope, apparently its being done without a tower crane - 1592 barrington style i guess.

I wonder if its because of the Nova Centre crane being in the way? Or maybe they will use one like the one that built the similarly sized building on Spring and Birmingham?

[kph06]

From what I have noticed with other buildings built by Mosaik, I think they manage it in house and they use smaller formwork that can be moved by their workers manually. I assume they will do all the concrete placement via pumper truck. Osco (formerly Sackville Ready Mix) has a beast of a pumper that was placing concrete on the 10th or 11th floor at the building on Fresian Place today. Previously I thought 6 floors was the upper limit with those.

[Ziobrop]

Yes, Mosaic Likes to do stuff themselves. there are very large concrete pumps, but they typically need special permits to move.

I found out about the lack of crane actually specifically because there was a concern it could conflict with the 4 at the Nova Center.

[Jonovision]

Love seeing the sunrise over the site.

https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10372554_10100582782397149_3606784255506434103_n.jpg?oh=ec4a7675f5b7ceebf2501a75458cec9d&oe=55A41D5B