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

[someone123]

There is still only a tenuous link between office vacancy rates and assessments. Assessments are based on the market value of property and this might not even have anything to do with its use as office space. For example an abandoned office building contributing to a higher overall vacancy rate might sit on land with a rising market value because of its redevelopment potential for some other use like residential.

It is also important to distinguish between total assesments and assessment per square foot of office space. If some other developer builds a giant office complex and steals tenants from the Nova Centre, and this translates into a lower value for that property, HRM may still be no worse off. It is really hard to believe that the construction boom downtown has been bad for the city's finances.

My understanding is that the city and province funded and took on liabilities only for the convention centre portion, not the office portion. Talking about office space sitting empty without explaining that detail is misleading. It's possible I'm wrong about this but the articles don't help clarify that

My complaint about these articles is that they don't seem to explain what is happening. Maybe the HRM report they cite is vague too, but that isn't really an excuse.

[Keith P.]

A few points:

- where is all this new-construction office space downtown that the HRM report refers to? I only see residential development happening.
- as @someone123 says, even if there was lots of new office development, that is additional tax revenue for HRM. The fact that it isn't coming from Nova Centre is irrelevant.
- who approves new developments? That would be HRM Council. So why is this (if it is in fact true) a surprise?

[ILoveHalifax]

Interesting CBC says the office tower is 70% vacant and yet I believe I read recently where Ramia said it was 70% leased.

We all know there is the usual crowd who will jump on any negative report to say it was all a big mistake, and of course fight so we cannot do any other projects

A new CFL team would be great promotion for the city and certainly raise its profile.

My take on Halifax is it is the NICEST SMALL CITY in NORTH AMERICA and punches well above any city of its size

[RangerNS]

It is really hard to believe that the construction boom downtown has been bad for the city's finances.


In an absolute sense, absolutely not. But if the budget was for "amazing" and they only got "OK", or in this case "shitty", then its bad for the finances.

[OldDartmouthMark]

The quotes and figures I posted were from the city's report, not the articles.

If you guys would like to pick apart the city's report to show where they are being untruthful or disingenuous, have at it. Or, perhaps the city report needs additional context... either way it would be interesting to see.

Finances/accounting are not something that I have a great enthusiasm for, so I'd be happy if you folks could parse out the report and show all where the city is falling short.

Remember, too, that the city is only paying 50% of the bill, the province is paying the other 50%. In many cases money is being taken from the same people, just from different sectors of the government. I'd also be interested on your take from the provincial side of things... how does the province fit into this?

All in all, I don't mind paying taxes, as we all benefit from it one way or another. If a tax base that I pay into provides benefits for someone else but not necessarily myself, that's OK too. However, it shouldn't be considered unreasonable for any of us to want to know how it is being spent. :2cents:

[Keith P.]

All in all, I don't mind paying taxes, as we all benefit from it one way or another. If a tax base that I pay into provides benefits for someone else but not necessarily myself, that's OK too. However, it shouldn't be considered unreasonable for any of us to want to know how it is being spent. :2cents:

OTOH I believe it is every citizen's duty to pay as little in taxes as legally possible since we know where to spend our hard-earned money better than any govt can. I am not a charity.

[OldDartmouthMark]

OTOH I believe it is every citizen's duty to pay as little in taxes as legally possible since we know where to spend our hard-earned money better than any govt can. I am not a charity.

There's a balance. Without a tax base you don't get all the infrastructure and facilities that the majority need/want.

Of those things, there will be some that I don't need or want, but somebody else will. Hence my statement.

I'm well aware that there are many who legally find ways to pay very little taxes, less than others of the same income level. Good for them, I guess, but all it means is that the government will find ways to increase taxation for the rest of us to meet their budget goals. So... enjoy - I'm happy to subsidize your contribution so you get to enjoy the infrastructure and public facilities that we all are paying for.

[q12]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/920/41505117291_cf0b968d02_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26eEzmx)Halifax Nova Center South Corner (https://flic.kr/p/26eEzmx) by Rodney Hickey (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sizzler68/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/788/27622557918_e3a657a3c4_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/J5UQ7A)Halifax Nova Center Colorful Morning (https://flic.kr/p/J5UQ7A) by Rodney Hickey (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sizzler68/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/924/41503963751_b387ea04da_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26eyErV)Nova Center Looking Down Sackville Street (https://flic.kr/p/26eyErV) by Rodney Hickey (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sizzler68/), on Flickr

[Keith P.]

Is the parking garage open to the public yet?

[OldDartmouthMark]

Wow... great pics! Thanks for sharing!

[eastcoastal]

That glow on the sidewalks is unpleasant. I do like how they've outlined the building edges with light though.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I don't mind the glow on the sidewalk, but I have noticed the blue LEDs to be a little harsh on the eyes if you happen to look up at them.

That said, I'm a fan of accent lighting, so I can't really complain.

[Keith P.]

It's the House of Blue Lights!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuPW-MGnR5o

[Jonovision]

Argyle was shoulder to shoulder this weekend with all the activities and spill out from the ECMAs.

Mid morning:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/948/41060534245_f2ff26ffa8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25ynYiB)20180505_112158 (https://flic.kr/p/25ynYiB) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/41241229964_f2e30e149d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25Qm5R3)20180505_112027 (https://flic.kr/p/25Qm5R3) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr


Mid afternoon:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/950/28088389668_bc2fb4c1fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JN5kEu)20180505_132159 (https://flic.kr/p/JN5kEu) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/831/28088363938_845331ac60_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S)20180505_133228 (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[q12]

Here's another:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dccs9OrW0AAxizE.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/AndyFillmoreHFX/status/992811681041412097

[beyeas]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/831/28088363938_845331ac60_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S)20180505_133228 (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

Oh the humanity. Downtown must have been total gridlock, with people having to walk metres and metres from their parking spaces all because of these elite intelligentsia beer sippers and so-called "music" lovers occupying perfectly good parking spaces. Why won't somebody think of the children!! ? ?

[OldDartmouthMark]

Argyle was shoulder to shoulder this weekend with all the activities and spill out from the ECMAs.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/831/28088363938_845331ac60_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S)20180505_133228 (https://flic.kr/p/JN5d1S) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

Mmmm... looks good. Was that a stout?

Thanks for posting the pics. We were there early evening after the ECMA event was over, and it was still quite busy with many people out and about enjoying the area. The widened sidewalks have improved the atmosphere very much and car traffic was minimal along both of those sections of Argyle. There didn't seem to be anybody inconvenienced by this new configuration - I think that motorists have realized there is no available parking and have adjusted their habits accordingly - no harm no foul.

I feel I can now judge this layout as definitely a plus - a huge improvement over the street being lined with parked cars and a steady stream of traffic driving along it as had been the situation in the past. A 'win' for the city for sure.

I did notice that it was quite windier near the Carleton than anywhere else downtown, but maybe it was just the prevailing winds that day.

[Keith P.]

I did notice that it was quite windier near the Carleton than anywhere else downtown, but maybe it was just the prevailing winds that day.

Cars block the wind. The design is therefore a failure. :uhh:

[OldDartmouthMark]

Cars block the wind. The design is therefore a failure. :uhh:

:haha: Keith's sense of humour is intact. :)

[eastcoastal]

I think the streetscaping looks nice. I'm not convinced the convention centre is an asset to the activity though - strikes me as a glossy behemoth at street level in those photos, somehow more apparent with lots of people in the foreground. I guess the evidence of human activity removes some of the abstraction - I'm used to thinking of the building more in terms of a sculptural form in the skyline or from a distance.

[Jonovision]

Mmmm... looks good. Was that a stout?

Thanks for posting the pics. We were there early evening after the ECMA event was over, and it was still quite busy with many people out and about enjoying the area. The widened sidewalks have improved the atmosphere very much and car traffic was minimal along both of those sections of Argyle. There didn't seem to be anybody inconvenienced by this new configuration - I think that motorists have realized there is no available parking and have adjusted their habits accordingly - no harm no foul.

I feel I can now judge this layout as definitely a plus - a huge improvement over the street being lined with parked cars and a steady stream of traffic driving along it as had been the situation in the past. A 'win' for the city for sure.

I did notice that it was quite windier near the Carleton than anywhere else downtown, but maybe it was just the prevailing winds that day.

Yes, it was a Guinness :cheers:

We managed to keep some of the sun for a little while as well which was nice.
I also noticed the wind, but if you went around the city that day it was windy everywhere. The harbour had whitecaps on it.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Yes, it was a Guinness :cheers:

We managed to keep some of the sun for a little while as well which was nice.
I also noticed the wind, but if you went around the city that day it was windy everywhere. The harbour had whitecaps on it.

Nice!

[someone123]

I think the streetscaping looks nice. I'm not convinced the convention centre is an asset to the activity though - strikes me as a glossy behemoth at street level in those photos, somehow more apparent with lots of people in the foreground. I guess the evidence of human activity removes some of the abstraction - I'm used to thinking of the building more in terms of a sculptural form in the skyline or from a distance.

Isn't it true that the Nova Centre is eventually supposed to have commercial space for restaurants and stores, and that these spaces are empty right now aside from the BMO branch?

Some developments take a long time to fill in.

These new public spaces put the lack of investment in downtown Halifax into sharp relief. I think this type of transformation could be repeated over again many times in different areas. Central parts of Halifax lack a lot of "polish" that thankfully is pretty cheap and yields a great bang for the buck.

[Keith P.]

I think the streetscaping looks nice. I'm not convinced the convention centre is an asset to the activity though - strikes me as a glossy behemoth at street level in those photos, somehow more apparent with lots of people in the foreground. I guess the evidence of human activity removes some of the abstraction - I'm used to thinking of the building more in terms of a sculptural form in the skyline or from a distance.

None of those people wandering around and sitting on the patios would have been there if not for the ECMAs which would not have been there itself without the CC.

[eastcoastal]

None of those people wandering around and sitting on the patios would have been there if not for the ECMAs which would not have been there itself without the CC.

You're right, it provides people. I was hoping it'd provide more... maybe we have to wait, as Someone123 says, for the retail to move in and animate the edge. Otherwise, it looks like a shiny blank wall.

From a distance, I think it looks good in the skyline, but between what I see in those photos and the tunnel-like space that is the privatized portion of Grafton St., it may be missing the mark when it comes to being more than a big shiny container for people.

[OldDartmouthMark]

You're right, it provides people. I was hoping it'd provide more... maybe we have to wait, as Someone123 says, for the retail to move in and animate the edge. Otherwise, it looks like a shiny blank wall.

From a distance, I think it looks good in the skyline, but between what I see in those photos and the tunnel-like space that is the privatized portion of Grafton St., it may be missing the mark when it comes to being more than a big shiny container for people.

I don't think it's a fair judgement to make when it's not yet in its finished state. NC aside, this section of Argyle seems to be a success so far, so I think it's safe to assume if you add more bars/restaurants/retail to the street it will be even busier. :2cents:

[TheNovaScotian]

I don't think it's a fair judgement to make when it's not yet in its finished state. NC aside, this section of Argyle seems to be a success so far, so I think it's safe to assume if you add more bars/restaurants/retail to the street it will be even busier. :2cents:

I have to agree with you, walking by this as often as I do, I noticed how quick it turned into my favorite part of the walk. As people find more uses for the area and get used to the patios being a permanent fixture on the street I hope we can keep this momentum and spread it to other parts of the city.

[Jonovision]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/980/27264534967_4c98bb7bb4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HxgSn6)20180514_210744 (https://flic.kr/p/HxgSn6) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Jonovision]

It actually looks just like one of the renderings with the lighting from last night.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1748/40584551070_5071a275bb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24Qjr69)20180526_204507 (https://flic.kr/p/24Qjr69) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1750/27522463687_4132cd7268_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HW4PzZ)20180526_204651 (https://flic.kr/p/HW4PzZ) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/886/41669210624_3a6e1cc99b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26uaAzW)20180526_210352 (https://flic.kr/p/26uaAzW) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[RoshanMcG]

http://i.imgur.com/qWsvkrb.jpg (https://imgur.com/qWsvkrb)

[kph06]

Awesome shots!

I noticed the lights on in the hotel tower the other night, maybe they have started the internal fit-up?

[iamcivilengineer]

really these are some of the amazing construction pictures...

[Acadia95]

i walked through the covered street portion last evening and the pavers are a mess. they are cracked, wide gaps between many, with many heaving throughout. it is just a matter of time before some one will get hurt. a real shame for what should be an impressive streetscape. i hope there was a warranty on the install work.

[someone123]

i walked through the covered street portion last evening and the pavers are a mess. they are cracked, wide gaps between many, with many heaving throughout. it is just a matter of time before some one will get hurt. a real shame for what should be an impressive streetscape. i hope there was a warranty on the install work.

You'd think the covered portion would be much easier to pave than, say, Argyle Street, since it won't get rained and snowed on. Heaving is normally from water that works its way unto the paving surface and expands when it freezes.

[Jonovision]

You'd think the covered portion would be much easier to pave than, say, Argyle Street, since it won't get rained and snowed on. Heaving is normally from water that works its way unto the paving surface and expands when it freezes.

Not to mention that its built a solid man made concrete surface as opposed to gravel or dirt....

[OldDartmouthMark]

Walked through there today. I didn't notice any of the pavers to be installed poorly or any that were uneven from block-to-block - not that there weren't any, just none where I was walking. I didn't find any 'ankle benders' there, anyhow, as there seemed to be a smooth transition between blocks.

However, the whole 'street' surface is very wavy and uneven, as though the base was not made level and straight. It is such that if you stand at one end and sight down it looks like sine wave in some spots and other areas look like there are 'pockets' sunk into the surface. My thoughts were that maybe it was done that way to encourage drainage, but it still seemed a little severe even with that mindset. A little perplexing, really, for an area that will be so prominent.

I posted the above last December. I haven't been through there in awhile, but it sounds like it has deteriorated somewhat since then. Perhaps driving machinery over it during construction has caused some damage?

I would think this should be something that the contractor would be required to fix at their expense, though, given that the building isn't even finished yet.

[Hali87]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/42741402991_7b33c2b98e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/287US2e)
Halifax June 2018 (https://flic.kr/p/287US2e) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1738/40930836410_71b89a0217_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25mVeE3)
Halifax June 2018 (https://flic.kr/p/25mVeE3) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1721/42741404941_806c4bd2bb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/287USAR)
Halifax June 2018 (https://flic.kr/p/287USAR) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/42741406491_7c4a027f12_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/287UT4z)
Halifax June 2018 (https://flic.kr/p/287UT4z) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1737/27872368977_fa8678e9f0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JsZbeP)
Halifax June 2018 (https://flic.kr/p/JsZbeP) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

[kwajo]

I also walked through last week while in town for work and the heaves on the pavers were so large I started to wonder if the inundations were a design feature of some kind (to mimic waves?). If they are not intentional, it is a remarkably shoddy bit of work.

The rest of the development looks good and the Argyle street portion seems to already be more vibrant than it ever did when I lived in Halifax.

[bluenoser]

https://instagram.fyyc2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/vp/42ca8a83011a119540bb8d94c9776266/5BC1BE6B/t51.2885-15/e35/34808084_347237885801050_6091905510120882176_n.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/efraser1o3/?hl=en

[terrynorthend]

https://instagram.fyyc2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/vp/42ca8a83011a119540bb8d94c9776266/5BC1BE6B/t51.2885-15/e35/34808084_347237885801050_6091905510120882176_n.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/efraser1o3/?hl=en

Checked out his instagram, Fraser does great work! Is this you bluenoser?

[bluenoser]

Checked out his instagram, Fraser does great work! Is this you bluenoser?

No, unfortunately I am not quite at that level, ha... but I certainly agree!

[Keith P.]

Everybody's favorite pseudo-journalist, Tim Bousquet, did another negative piece on Nova Centre, but this time he actually might have a legitimate beef on the section of Grafton that runs between the two towers:

https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/grafton-street-through-the-nova-centre-is-a-crumbling-mess/

Pictures illustrate the mess this has become. It really need to be totally rebuilt.

[someone123]

I guess he had to find something new to complain about since before it opened he declared that it was going to be an empty white elephant. Remember the speaker that was brought in to talk about how the conference/convention industry is dying and oversupplied with spaces? It turns out that so far the bookings at the new convention centre have greatly exceeded what was possible to host at the old one.

It's true that the photos look pretty bad and it seems inexcusable for a brand new job. I wonder why this happened?

[IanWatson]

He (and other detractors) don't seem to be wrong about the finances though, even if they were wrong about attendance. So far it's very much failing to live up to financial projections, and the city is eating the cost.

And yeah, those "driveway" paving bricks are atrocious. He's right to call them out. The grade of the underlying concrete is super exaggerated and the bricks don't lie flat, so they break whenever something drives over them. They also tried to do some really complex patterns using different colours of types of bricks, so a whole bunch of the bricks were cut into tiny pieces and poorly fitted.

I try to keep my criticism of architecture, design, and construction to a minimum, but Grafton "Street" is an embarrassment; especially compared to how well Argyle was designed and installed.

[Keith P.]

He (and other detractors) don't seem to be wrong about the finances though, even if they were wrong about attendance. So far it's very much failing to live up to financial projections, and the city is eating the cost.


It has been open only since April so I'm not sure what "very much failing to live up to financial projections" means. It appears to be rather busy.

[DT Hfx]

I was told that the plan is to re-brick it properly after the ceiling and other construction in the tunnel is finished - the implication being that the quick bricking done last fall was temporary.

[Colin May]

It has been open only since April so I'm not sure what "very much failing to live up to financial projections" means. It appears to be rather busy.
Bousquet quotes from an HRM staff report which details the dismal financials.
If you don't like the numbers take it up with the CAO and the Director of Finance.

[ns_kid]

It has been open only since April so I'm not sure what "very much failing to live up to financial projections" means. It appears to be rather busy.

The convention centre is "rather busy". The financial projections Bousquet talks about are entirely separate from the question of how much use the convention centre receives. He (and the staff report) refers to the capital and operating cost-sharing agreement the city signed with the province which kicked in when the project was substantially complete.

The city attempted to show that the lion's share of its payout would be covered by tax revenues paid by Nova Centre tenants. But, as we know, the project was repeatedly delayed and much of the complex remains vacant. As a result the anticipated shortfall has almost doubled. (The new hotel will open early next year, which will make a substantial difference.)

In truth, the city's plan was a bit of financial sleight-of-hand (Bousquet called it a "rigged game") but, in fairness, HRM always forecast a shortfall on the convention centre. That the annual shortfall has grown by some $1.7 million (in a $761 million budget) is what Bousquet calls a "financial disaster" for the city.

As far as convention centre patronage is concerned the same staff report declares, "The new Halifax Convention Centre is currently exceeding expectations for convention bookings. The facility shows every sign of being extremely successful."

[Keith P.]

Heck, $1.7 million is wasted by HRM on a regular basis with nary a notice. That is mere pocket change for the Barons of HRM Council. The Forum redevelopment estimate just skyrocketed from its original estimate and I expect after a few pious speeches by members of Council it will be rubber-stamped on its way to chalk up even more overruns before it is done.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-forum-upgrades-expected-to-cost-extra-22m-1.4781331

[someone123]

As far as convention centre patronage is concerned the same staff report declares, "The new Halifax Convention Centre is currently exceeding expectations for convention bookings. The facility shows every sign of being extremely successful."

Thanks for sharing the actual financial information. It remains to be seen if the small annual shortfall will persist over many years.

It is really the same old debate we hear about any public investment. The convention centre was never going to be a cash cow for the city. The point of it is that it creates a lot of spinoff effects and enriches life in the city by expanding the range of events that can be hosted there. The city can afford it in the sense that the budget impact is minimal. The city funds all kinds of money-losing ventures. That's why it exists. It doesn't have to fund low risk profitable ventures.

Not everyone is going to like or personally benefit from every single public project.

Tim Bousquet decided a long time ago that he didn't like the Nova Centre and his reporting reflects that. He's one of the most depressing and negative journalists around.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I was told that the plan is to re-brick it properly after the ceiling and other construction in the tunnel is finished - the implication being that the quick bricking done last fall was temporary.

That would make the most sense to me. With all the construction equipment, which generally would weigh 3 to 5 times the weight of an average car, that could potentially be running over the area while they finish the tunnel, it would be hard to avoid damage to these kinds of bricks.

The questions that remain for me:
(1) Why would they not just apply some inexpensive decking of some sort until the work is done? Custom-cut pavers seem very labour intensive (i.e. expensive) as a temporary surface.
(2) Will there be some adjustment of the drainage slopes before the new bricks are laid? It's weird, but when you are onsite it appears that somebody misread the plan and scaled the grades at 2X the required.

[DT Hfx]

Massive suspended frames are being built in the tunnel now for what will hold a series of big screen monitors.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Massive suspended frames are being built in the tunnel now for what will hold a series of big screen monitors.

That should be interesting. Do you know their intended use? Advertising? Sporting events? or..??

[Keith P.]

That should be interesting. Do you know their intended use? Advertising? Sporting events? or..??

Flashing "Please Watch Your Step" warning signs. :haha:

[beyeas]

That should be interesting. Do you know their intended use? Advertising? Sporting events? or..??

I would bet its a combination of things, but my assumption is that the primary usage would be to provide info to conference/meeting attendees. Usually at large conference centres I see screens like this providing welcome info to attendees, information on current sessions and room #s, etc. However, like that is also interlaced with advertising as well.

[DT Hfx]

I imagine some screens might also be monitors so you could see yourself as you drive/walk through.

[someone123]

I would bet its a combination of things, but my assumption is that the primary usage would be to provide info to conference/meeting attendees. Usually at large conference centres I see screens like this providing welcome info to attendees, information on current sessions and room #s, etc. However, like that is also interlaced with advertising as well.

I don't know if it's still like this but the Moscone Center in San Francisco at one point (not 1982 but more like 2012) had giant ads for strippers.

[pblaauw]

It's just going to be a bunch of Max Headrooms, warning vehicles and pedestrians of hazards.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/MaxheadroomMpegMan.jpg

Source: Wikimedia Commons (via Wikipedia "Max Headroom" page.)

[Aya_Akai]

I think the blue LED's are one of my favourite aspects of the exterior of the structure. It creates such a bizarre visual sensation when you walk around there at night.

The brilliant blue LED light strip along the outside of the upper floor shines down, and the shadow of the building lines up perfectly with the line along the sidewalk creating almost an optical illusion along Sackville St. from just the right angle..

http://i.imgur.com/SQFnFgql.jpg (https://i.imgur.com/SQFnFgq.jpg)

[Drybrain]

I don’t know; I agree the LED lights create a bizarre street-level feeling, but I don’t think bizarre is a desirable contribution to public space. Opinions seem to be really split on this, but put me in the group who think the bright blue lights are tacky and ugly, and an incredibly obnoxious imposition into the public realm.

I think it’s bad for Argyle Street too. I was down there a couple of weeks ago around 10 on a Friday night. Patios were maybe three-quarters full, and the street was empty. It FELT much emptier than it was because even though the patio were reasonably full, the lights illuminated the huge empty facade and vacant street more brightly than the patios, which felt puny and exposed. The windswept emptiness opposite was more visible and imposing than the patios around us. It felt like a bar at closing time. It was a terrible, terrible, atmosphere for a bar district. We left, and I know others did too.

[IanWatson]

I really dislike the blue lights. If they wanted to do them in the Grafton Street Hole, fine. But I shouldn't be forced to feel like I'm in a night club when I walk down the public sidewalk.

[Keith P.]

Everyone looks better in the soft blue light.

[eastcoastal]

Heck, $1.7 million is wasted by HRM on a regular basis with nary a notice. ...[/url]

In this case, the 1.7 gets added to the 1.8 shortfall for which the city had planned. This means the shortfall almost doubled, and is not at 3.8m.

I've also heard that with all the office space now "online" in downtown, it's harder to attract tenants than the developer thought, meaning lower occupation than expected and lower taxes. The additional shortfall from the delay coupled with lower tax revenue in the future could be even more significant.

[eastcoastal]

Everyone looks better in the soft blue light.

Not very soft in this case.

I think the blue lights are gross and disorienting. Maybe in my advancing years they mess with my depth perception more than they should!

[RoshanMcG]

https://instagram.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/vp/762278da085bacadb0499a4b766c841d/5C3492EC/t51.2885-15/e35/38035137_1767023233417120_4582960508352593920_n.jpg
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/BmPsTlRHgVY/?taken-by=elportafoliodaniel)

[Jonovision]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/44514250741_a64d7b5d9e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aPzaTK)20180905_124941_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/2aPzaTK) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/43604735715_b12d031b53_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29rcELc)20180905_125108 (https://flic.kr/p/29rcELc) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/30644391148_a000f5b58d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NFWvRw)20180905_125015 (https://flic.kr/p/NFWvRw) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/44514228691_4989cb4432_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aPz4kz)20180905_125113 (https://flic.kr/p/2aPz4kz) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1883/43796385804_1cd86806dd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29J8VE5)20180905_125149_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/29J8VE5) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[alps]

Thanks for the updates!

The signage and logo looks good.

[Keith P.]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1883/43796385804_1cd86806dd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29J8VE5)20180905_125149_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/29J8VE5) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr


Will be interesting to see what happens with these trees in a decade or so when the reach the overhang of the building above them.

[miesh111]

Will be interesting to see what happens with these trees in a decade or so when the reach the overhang of the building above them.

Man you don't let up on the hate of Nova Centre do you? Ever hear of pruning? Or maybe they're trees that are specially designed to remain the same height and fill in more round? Are you an arborist to know better than the professional landscapers who will maintain these?

[Keith P.]

I don't hate the Nova Centre. Where do you get that? I'm not Tim Bousquet or one of his bobbleheads. But HRM does seem to have a fixation on planting trees in inappropriate places.

[Haliguy]

I don't hate the Nova Centre. Where do you get that? I'm not Tim Bousquet or one of his bobbleheads. But HRM does seem to have a fixation on planting trees in inappropriate places.

I doubt they are trees that grow that high. Where are they planting trees in in inappropraite places? If anything they need more trees especially in the downtown area.

[eastcoastal]

Man you don't let up on the hate of Nova Centre do you? ...

I don't think we can count Keith as a hater of the Nova Centre. You might be confusing him with some other commenters here.

[eastcoastal]

... HRM does seem to have a fixation on planting trees in inappropriate places.
Are these HRM-planted trees? I'd assumed they were the developer's (and also think they look like an ill-advised choice)

[Acadie_1755]

I wonder if they chose a type of tree that doesn't grow tall enough to reach the ceiling, or that is able to creep around the edge.

[bluenoser]

Looks like an abundance of screens are being installed along Grafton St.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/44439141745_21c3a21ea2_c.jpg
Source (https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/44439141745_21c3a21ea2_c.jpg)

[RoshanMcG]

Screens were being tested this morning.

http://i.imgur.com/p1Woah5.jpg (https://imgur.com/p1Woah5)

[mleblanc]

They were fully operational tonight when I walked by. Showing 'screensaver' esque stuff on them, but looked nice.

[Keith P.]

Have they redone the pavers in that area? Hard to tell from the photo but I think I see some waviness still.

[someone123]

Charming Rogers ad on Grafton Street:

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/0724664344522c7f3a7d82b589723940/5CA83B50/t51.2885-15/e35/46720840_739712113074589_1704447470331631515_n.jpg
Source (https://www.instagram.com/mariosmythphotography/)

I wonder what approval process exists for signs like this, if any? I recall seeing some special rules for Barrington Street but I don't know if they are in effect or what the wider rules around the city are.

This case is somewhat egregious since this sign is suspended over what was previously a public street. Not quite the same as a logo on a building on a private-owned lot.

[OldDartmouthMark]

This case is somewhat egregious since this sign is suspended over what was previously a public street. Not quite the same as a logo on a building on a private-owned lot.

Not only is Halifax open for business, it's actually for sale... literally. :haha:

[pblaauw]

Where is the main entrance to the future Sutton Place hotel? The spaces next to the parkade entrance/exit don't look big enough for a hotel lobby.

[IanWatson]

Have they redone the pavers in that area? Hard to tell from the photo but I think I see some waviness still.

Walked through on the weekend. The answer is no, they have not fixed it.

[Jstaleness]

Not only is Halifax open for business, it's actually for sale... literally. :haha:

Fitting the Rogers name is there. Just like the carrier there is currently hardly any service in those buildings.

[RoshanMcG]

Some new public art:

http://i.imgur.com/aTVjq9x.jpg (https://imgur.com/aTVjq9x)

http://i.imgur.com/fTJw1Jk.jpg (https://imgur.com/fTJw1Jk)

http://i.imgur.com/jSVhRFr.jpg (https://imgur.com/jSVhRFr)

[Keith P.]

Any bets on what it is supposed to represent? :shrug:

[Jonovision]

Any bets on what it is supposed to represent? :shrug:

It's a whale breaching.

Granted I could not see that in the renderings. Only was able to see it once it was installed.

[someone123]

This section of Grafton Street now brought to you by Rogers Communications Inc. :yuck:

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/f940a53fa5ca9501c1864d4b9258e5cd/5D345B4F/t51.2885-15/e35/53821057_533082820551634_3866527165111460399_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/BvV5OZIgpVd/)

[Keith P.]

Did they ever fix the pavers in that rectangle (not a square)?

[Jonovision]

Did they ever fix the pavers in that rectangle (not a square)?

Nope

[RoshanMcG]

http://i.imgur.com/ozqtCVZh.jpg (https://imgur.com/ozqtCVZ)

[eastcoastal]

What an inviting dark pit full of advertising. I don't recall Rogers Square (TM) looking like this in the renderings. LOL

[ScovaNotian]

Here (https://novacentre.ca/sites/default/files/styles/homepage_slide_desktop_extra_wide/public/slide5.jpg) is a rendering. Can you spot the differences?

[Keith P.]

Here (https://novacentre.ca/sites/default/files/styles/homepage_slide_desktop_extra_wide/public/slide5.jpg) is a rendering. Can you spot the differences?

Quite different. Bright, outdoors tones, lots of light, and a polar bear.

Is that space the entrance to Gahan House? I do not know because I don't go near downtown any more since it is so unfriendly if you do not walk or bike there. It is very unwelcoming. I do know they left the waterfront location.

If they don't replace those ankle-bender pavers they should have a sprain and fall clinic in there somewhere.

[OldDartmouthMark]

How could this space look so dark and depressing when the rendering made it look so bright and inviting?

Oh... yeah... renderings...

I was wondering about all the Gahan House stuff, since Gahan House is on the waterfront... do they have another location in Grafton... errr... Rogers Place (or whatever it's called)?

Perhaps there will be a clinic in the Rogers cave... would be a great way to drum up business - broken, uneven paver stones combined with a dark, dingy environment... then "ta daaa!" here's a clinic right next door to help you out after you roll over your ankle! Brilliant!

[lirette]

How could this space look so dark and depressing when the rendering made it look so bright and inviting?

Oh... yeah... renderings...

I was wondering about all the Gahan House stuff, since Gahan House is on the waterfront... do they have another location in Grafton... errr... Rogers Place (or whatever it's called)?

Perhaps there will be a clinic in the Rogers cave... would be a great way to drum up business - broken, uneven paver stones combined with a dark, dingy environment... then "ta daaa!" here's a clinic right next door to help you out after you roll over your ankle! Brilliant!

Gahan House waterfront location is closed. They are moving into the Nova Centre & looks like for a period of time will have a food truck on Grafton.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Gahan House waterfront location is closed. They are moving into the Nova Centre & looks like for a period of time will have a food truck on Grafton.

Well that explains it. Thanks!

Any word on what is going into their vacated waterfront space?

[pblaauw]

Well that explains it. Thanks!

Any word on what is going into their vacated waterfront space?

Pickford & Black (https://www.facebook.com/pickford.black/) (facebook link) I think it opens sometime this month.

And Gahan is reopening in the NC sometime in May (in time for Memorial Cup, according to Halifax Retales).

[OldDartmouthMark]

Pickford & Black (https://www.facebook.com/pickford.black/) (facebook link) I think it opens sometime this month.

And Gahan is reopening in the NC sometime in May (in time for Memorial Cup, according to Halifax Retales).

Thank you for that! Seems like a win-win, a promising new place on the waterfront and a known good brewer/restaurant moving to NC!

[eastcoastal]

Here (https://novacentre.ca/sites/default/files/styles/homepage_slide_desktop_extra_wide/public/slide5.jpg) is a rendering. Can you spot the differences?

Difference is night and day. LOL

[mleblanc]

They are finally redoing the cobblestone in Rogers Square.