General Updates and News

[Nouvellecosse]

???

When they posted it in the other thread titled Dartmouth bridge I assumed it was made by a company named Dartmouth or on a street named Dartmouth or something. Since when do we produce bridges?

[PortaPetee]

???

When they posted it in the other thread titled Dartmouth bridge I assumed it was made by a company named Dartmouth or on a street named Dartmouth or something. Since when do we produce bridges?

I was also confused by that. I though there must be a new development on the Toronto waterfront called Dartmouth.

That Canada forum is a wild and wooly place!

[Dartguard]

???

When they posted it in the other thread titled Dartmouth bridge I assumed it was made by a company named Dartmouth or on a street named Dartmouth or something. Since when do we produce bridges?

Cherubini have been making Bridge components for the New York City area since shortly after 9/11.

[kph06]

Cherubini is one of those local companies that really slips under the radar. They have done huge projects in Canada and US. The ones in the US northeast are particularly impressive because of the local competition. Cherubini Group also has many other companies locally.

[Keith P.]

Imagine how much better something like this would have looked as the footbridge at the Micmac parclo instead of the thing that looks like a crane holding up a piece of decking.

[ns_kid]

Imagine how much better something like this would have looked as the footbridge at the Micmac parclo instead of the thing that looks like a crane holding up a piece of decking.

I'm afraid then you'll be disappointed to know that a sister bridge to the Lake Micmac structure is now in place on the Lake William Trail in Waverley. The official opening was set for this afternoon but has been rescheduled to 20 October. With this bridge, I think something like 700 metres of trail remains to be completed to join the Lake William Trail to the Lake Charles and Shubenacadie Canal trail systems. The bridge incorporates decking retired from the Macdonald Bridge Big Lift. It was built by the Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Society (SWEPS) with CN's permission over its Dartmouth subdivision tracks. That's a pretty impressive active transportation corridor from Rocky Lake Drive in Waverley to Halifax Harbour.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50394267901_540930a7fa_c.jpg
Source: AllTrails (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/nova-scotia/lake-william-trail/photos)

[Citizen_Bane]

IIRC, according to the NS Drivers Handbook, if you're in the left hand lane on one side of an intersection you should aim for the left hand lane on the other side of the intersection and avoid changing lanes within the intersection. This morning I traveled north on Robie through the willow tree intersection and found myself to be the only vehicle not to change lanes within the intersection...out of approximately ten vehicles. As I approached the intersection at Cunard I discovered why. I was in a left turn only lane. Maybe I missed new signage? There's certainly lots to look at at the willow tree intersection with building going up and building coming down and one has to dodge the beggars. Anyway, if the left hand lane between the two aforementioned intersections is to be a left hand turn lane, then IMHO, an island or other obstruction should be placed at the willow tree intersection so that the current centre lane in that stretch would become the most left hand thru lane at the willow tree intersection thus having traffic not need to lane change within the intersection to maintain their status as thru traffic northbound on Robie.

[Keith P.]

HRM has no clue what they are doing these days with choking off streets. It is getting ridiculous.

[Jonovision]

New project on Portland St on the edge of Dartmouth Cove from Zzap Consulting Inc.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFz5mkMn73B/

[Colin May]

New project on Portland St on the edge of Dartmouth Cove from Zzap Consulting Inc.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFz5mkMn73B/
A Dan Chedrawe project

[someone123]

Interesting. Will this replace the Moffatt Pharmacy? Or it's next door?

[Keith P.]

I looks to me that it is occupying the space that the existing building sits on along with the parking lot out back.

The rendering also looks like they are importing several dozen people since I have never seen that many pedestrians in that area before. :haha:

[Dmajackson]

2165 Gottingen - I was going to post a photo of this project since it is almost now complete and the masonry work on the ground floor looks nice but Tumblr won't let me upload photos right now. The signage indicates Dime Salon Inc will be the ground floor tenant.

[bluenoser]

Arthur's Urban Market - Artisan Bakery & Meals To Go (https://www.facebook.com/ArthursUrbanMarket/) opens tomorrow in the Maple on Hollis.

https://scontent.fyyc3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120854657_129558668893195_2017971934362014129_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=JZAdrNMTvUkAX-hcwH7&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc3-1.fna&oh=2451e43688f3dbc845016e2dec917e68&oe=5FA2FE98

https://scontent.fyyc3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120844141_129558662226529_6687699968810582664_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=mOm4JuNhEfUAX9NXKU_&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc3-1.fna&oh=d64622cf18fe749f14327ffbe9b1feb0&oe=5FA516D5

Source: https://www.facebook.com/ArthursUrbanMarket/

[alps]

Very interesting! It seems like a proper supermarket. It should be a great boon to the growing residential population in the downtown proper, especially those who don't own cars.

Their business should really pick up once the Roy and the Green Lantern/Zeller's developments are fully occupied (and perhaps eventually the mythical Texpark redevelopment). I can imagine a lot of tourists popping in here too once the pandemic subsides.

[Good Baklava]

Yum! Happy to see something beyond your typical weekend market.

[atbw]

This is a great location and exactly what I would have wanted when I lived on Bishop. The slog to Superstore is pretty long from downtown, so it's great to have something so close. Also good to see ground-level commercial that isn't just another restaurant.

[someone123]

This is a great location and exactly what I would have wanted when I lived on Bishop. The slog to Superstore is pretty long from downtown, so it's great to have something so close. Also good to see ground-level commercial that isn't just another restaurant.

I think we are only really seeing the beginning of the transformation of businesses in this area, because there has been so much residential construction and there is such a lag to fully occupy buildings.

The Maple has, what, something like 250-300 units? That must amount to a significant percentage of all the people living in the old/lower downtown area, which if I recall correctly was only in the 3,000 range in recent census periods. And there is room for more units with the United Gulf site and Ralston.

[someone123]

Corner of Gottingen and Cunard. I guess this is the building that will be redeveloped.

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/120823246_1002668603493236_637148497750716520_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=DA-eCh7mpYoAX-MXZI3&_nc_tp=15&oh=ed642dbbbbeb8ca23ea94a8bca1f5511&oe=5FA8ACC2
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIDp7CJsB_/)

It could be an impressive corner. Hopefully the design is nice. Too bad about that odd modern house that got built to the left. It would have been better to have the mixed use buildings run across the block then step down to the 3 storey apartment building across the street.

The intersection and street could use some municipal infrastructure TLC too.

[atbw]

The intersection and street could use some municipal infrastructure TLC too.
As it is, it feels like it has very long crossing distances.

I think the stretch from the interchange up to Gottingen is covered in the Cogswell project. I imagine at least some AT infrastructure going up and tying Cogswell into the existing AT infrastructure around the Commons, the Rainnie bikeway, and Maynard/Creighton bike-friendly streets.

[Good Baklava]

As it is, it feels like it has very long crossing distances.

I think the stretch from the interchange up to Gottingen is covered in the Cogswell project. I imagine at least some AT infrastructure going up and tying Cogswell into the existing AT infrastructure around the Commons, the Rainnie bikeway, and Maynard/Creighton bike-friendly streets.

The Cogswell plan does display a separated bikeway going down Cogswell Street, the rendering only shows the intersection of brunswick street but it seems plausible the route would extend up to at least this intersection.

[terrynorthend]

What is the scope of the footprint to be redeveloped here? The old Dymaxion building forms the podium for the 7/8 floor brick apartment building on Gottingen. Is that included? I see the old Legion building is being gutted too.

Corner of Gottingen and Cunard. I guess this is the building that will be redeveloped.

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/120823246_1002668603493236_637148497750716520_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=DA-eCh7mpYoAX-MXZI3&_nc_tp=15&oh=ed642dbbbbeb8ca23ea94a8bca1f5511&oe=5FA8ACC2
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIDp7CJsB_/)

It could be an impressive corner. Hopefully the design is nice. Too bad about that odd modern house that got built to the left. It would have been better to have the mixed use buildings run across the block then step down to the 3 storey apartment building across the street.

The intersection and street could use some municipal infrastructure TLC too.

[Phalanx]

They're actually two separate buildings, though it's difficult to tell from that image.

Here's a better view: https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6508603,-63.5816744,3a,75y,217.33h,104.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slXSjs3-mbPEbBLNLthM4QQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[terrynorthend]

Oh, cool. Thanks!

I've never noticed that despite walking by everyday:haha:

They're actually two separate buildings, though it's difficult to tell from that image.

Here's a better view: https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6508603,-63.5816744,3a,75y,217.33h,104.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slXSjs3-mbPEbBLNLthM4QQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Good Baklava]

I believe the “Vimy Arms” tower in the background is social housing. I’m guessing they’ll be loosing their view in the coming years at the expense of a nicer entry to Gottingen st. What will really test the bias of local media is whether this lost view gets the same attention as that from Waterfront Place. I’m all in favour of redevelopment on this site, but since the development is revitalizing a blighted area it will be interesting to see how the coverage differs.

Perhaps I’m being overly cynical..?

[bluenoser]

Edit: moved to the Suburbs thread...

[bluenoser]

Can't remember where this was first posted but the old shed at the foot of Salter St. has come down (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2H-lUmml1w/X4OHCf2gikI/AAAAAAAAuGY/8ozccmbK4t8PnQ2C-LgLeHsPv5Z7trCiACLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_3364.JPG) (v. large image so it's linked instead of posted) with the remainder of the pier soon to follow. The neigbouring Svitzer / ECTug building and wharf are also being removed.

The latter wharf is being replaced, along with a small expansion/renovation of the boardwalk, filling in the V-shaped area in front of the Waterfront Warehouse.

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/local-business/shipping-news-end-of-the-line-for-two-longtime-wharves-on-halifax-waterfront-503461/

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eYHUqSRMGc/X4OH1t4GzaI/AAAAAAAAuGk/az-oR2aFB98EATW81siy0iXRUzef2UvLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1359.JPG
http://shipfax.blogspot.com/

[Dmajackson]

A huge amount of demolition permits were just issued for the Young-Oxford-Connolly-Bayers block including 6419 - 6465 Young Street and 6438 - 6460 Bayers Road which means the BAYERS + YOUNG project is proceeding.

Applicant Presentation to Regional Council (July 10, 2019) (https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/190710rc53pres-app.pdf)

[someone123]

Interesting. So 3090 Oxford will be developed (or is right now?) and then the Look Ho Ho building (a little neighbourhood landmark) will stay while a bigger development will go in next door.

I always thought the "city streets" were nice but lacking in businesses within walking distance, being far from Quinpool Rd or the walkable stuff in the North End.

[TheGreenBastard]

Saw a tower crane for the first time ever in Sackville. Any info on the building(s) going up behind the Downsview plaza?

[HalifaxRetales]

Saw a tower crane for the first time ever in Sackville. Any info on the building(s) going up behind the Downsview plaza?

is the hotel finally being built?

[Jonovision]

Corner of Gottingen and Cunard. I guess this is the building that will be redeveloped.

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/120823246_1002668603493236_637148497750716520_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=DA-eCh7mpYoAX-MXZI3&_nc_tp=15&oh=ed642dbbbbeb8ca23ea94a8bca1f5511&oe=5FA8ACC2
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIDp7CJsB_/)

It could be an impressive corner. Hopefully the design is nice. Too bad about that odd modern house that got built to the left. It would have been better to have the mixed use buildings run across the block then step down to the 3 storey apartment building across the street.

The intersection and street could use some municipal infrastructure TLC too.

Drove by this evening and the interior is being gutted.

[atbw]

Sobeys Queen St. is getting some cosmetic work done. Perhaps it’ll expand back into the closed off front portion again.

[Querce]

Hey, Sobeys Tacoma is also getting some work done.

[atbw]

Hey, Sobeys Tacoma is also getting some work done.

I’ve heard that Sobeys Mumford is the most up-to-date and what we can expect the stores to look like.

[Keith P.]

Driving up Kempt Rd yesterday I was surprised to see that the former Jaguar/Volvo dealership building run by the Steele group has already been demolished. I know Jaguar has moved to new construction at the corner of Robie and Livingstone so I presume they will be constructing a new Volvo operation at this site on Kempt?

[kph06]

Driving up Kempt Rd yesterday I was surprised to see that the former Jaguar/Volvo dealership building run by the Steele group has already been demolished. I know Jaguar has moved to new construction at the corner of Robie and Livingstone so I presume they will be constructing a new Volvo operation at this site on Kempt?

I think Porsche is getting the new building, they needed new space for their electric vehicles apparently. I assume that means Volvo will then get a dealership on some combination of the existing Porsche site and maybe some of Jag/Landrover.

[Keith P.]

Rob Steele needs to bite the bullet and buy/demolish that former furniture store/T4G office building between the dealership site and the rental car place by the rail bridge, and use that to expand that dealership complex.

[Jonovision]

According to twitter the old Mills Brothers on Spring Garden is coming down starting on Monday.

[Keith P.]

According to twitter the old Mills Brothers on Spring Garden is coming down starting on Monday.

Countdown to hand-wring and anguished cries in 3, 2, 1... :lynchmob:

[OldDartmouthMark]

Countdown to hand-wring and anguished cries in 3, 2, 1... :lynchmob:

:rolleyes:

[ScovaNotian]

Does anyone know whether the old RBC building at the corner of Queen will come down as well?

[midasmull]

Does anyone know whether the old RBC building at the corner of Queen will come down as well?

It's coming down too. It's been vacant for a little bit and currently has construction fencing surrounding it.

[someone123]

Countdown to hand-wring and anguished cries in 3, 2, 1... :lynchmob:

I guess you would argue these buildings are unremarkable and they're private property so the owner should be able to tear them down at will.

I see them as having a public interest component too and people care when demolition happens since it is disruptive. They care what new buildings look like since they inhabit spaces impacted by them. In an urban setting, there's more to demolition and construction than just the provision of private space for tenants and owners.

It seems like communication around many of these changes is poor in Halifax. Stuff just happens and hints of what will happen often spreads as rumours. Demolition often happens before the long-term plan for a site is known, even when it's very prominent. It is hard for me to imagine other cities operating this way with buildings suddenly disappearing along major shopping streets while the public is mostly in the dark. Communicating what is going on is easier than it has ever been.

Some of the development process has been modernized but there are still lots of as-of-right developments happening that follow procedures that feel like they were developed in the 1960's before public consultation became common.

[someone123]

It's coming down too. It's been vacant for a little bit and currently has construction fencing surrounding it.

Years ago the owner at the time commented about expanding the building to fill in the rear of the site and add another storey, and how the current building is inappropriate for such an important corner (not wrong). I figured this building was toast when years went by without any of these improvements happening.

[MonctonRad]

I will not lie, I will miss the Mills Brothers building, mostly because it has been a fixture on Spring Garden Road for such a long time. My memories of it date back to 1979.

But, realistically, it is time for the building to go. It really has no architectural merit aside from it's faux Tudor cladding. I'm sure it's replacement will be superior and a definite step forward.

[Keith P.]

I guess you would argue these buildings are unremarkable and they're private property so the owner should be able to tear them down at will.

I see them as having a public interest component too and people care when demolition happens since it is disruptive. They care what new buildings look like since they inhabit spaces impacted by them. In an urban setting, there's more to demolition and construction than just the provision of private space for tenants and owners.

It seems like communication around many of these changes is poor in Halifax. Stuff just happens and hints of what will happen often spreads as rumours. Demolition often happens before the long-term plan for a site is known, even when it's very prominent. It is hard for me to imagine other cities operating this way with buildings suddenly disappearing along major shopping streets while the public is mostly in the dark. Communicating what is going on is easier than it has ever been.

Some of the development process has been modernized but there are still lots of as-of-right developments happening that follow procedures that feel like they were developed in the 1960's before public consultation became common.

I think you are mixing up the aspects of public communication about a demolition decision with the rationale for demolition itself.

I have no knowledge of the old RBC building on the corner but from the outside I always liked it simply because of the stone cladding. Since it was built as a bank branch however I suspect reuse and adaptation would be difficult, and it would not likely be easily expanded. As for the Mills buildings, those I do have personal experience with, and they are a mess. A pastiche of numerous old buildings interconnected over the years with low ceilings, varying floor heights, and questionable structural integrity. The only thing noteworthy about them was the faux-Tudor exterior treatment. That could be easily replicated on the exterior of a new build if someone was of a mind to do so. Clearly the failure of businesses there in recent years has shown that whatever appeal the building may have contributed to those operations was minimal at best.

Of course, trumpeting the upcoming demolition of these would likely brought the Usual Suspects out of their hidey-holes to decry the loss of such an important piece of Halifax heritage. Meanwhile those same individuals are silent while HRM and the Councillor for the area allow the old Memorial Library to rot away unused. Priorities, please.

[Drybrain]

Meanwhile those same individuals are silent while HRM and the Councillor for the area allow the old Memorial Library to rot away unused. Priorities, please.

I actually do agree with this sentiment. As with Bloomfield, the old Dartmouth City Hall, etc., another publicly owned site of historic importance just being left to deteriorate.

[MonctonRad]

I actually do agree with this sentiment. As with Bloomfield, the old Dartmouth City Hall, etc., another publicly owned site of historic importance just being left to deteriorate.

I agree also. The old public library may not have any particular architectural or historical merit, but it's siting on the lot does have merit, as does also the public space in front of the building. These reasons alone merit preservation. Surely the city can come up with some sort of public use for the building, perhaps a municipal museum or exhibition space of some kind, combined with a public meeting space or municipal conference facility.

[someone123]

I think you are mixing up the aspects of public communication about a demolition decision with the rationale for demolition itself.

It's true that there are multiple separate things going on:

- Lack of communication about major changes to public areas
- Lack of proactive municipal and provincial government action in identifying and protecting the sites that should be protected, including government-owned sites
- Lack of faith in the quality of new construction being better than what is replaced

I'm not necessarily against the demo of these particular buildings and I think it could be possible to replace them with something better. Will this replacement be better? It seems few people know, and even if there were a rendering I'm not sure we could know since the buildings don't always follow the renderings.

The demo fits into the overall context of the neighbourhood which includes demolition of the Doyle site, surprise demolition of the building on Blowers, and neglect of the old library building. Character buildings are a dwindling resource in the city.

[someone123]

I agree also. The old public library may not have any particular architectural or historical merit, but it's siting on the lot does have merit, as does also the public space in front of the building. These reasons alone merit preservation. Surely the city can come up with some sort of public use for the building, perhaps a municipal museum or exhibition space of some kind, combined with a public meeting space or municipal conference facility.

It is a nice stone building with some interesting characteristics, and local architects have come up with reuse scenarios.

The idea of it being a hard to reuse building or having no future strikes me as a "made in Halifax" type of viewpoint that betrays a certain insularity, lack of imagination, and lack of energy or direction. The Bloomfield buildings have been deteriorating for decades. The city is full of small businesses and non-profits that want space and is growing by 2% a year. I think this is mostly about not enough or no councillors caring what happens to these buildings.

[Keith P.]

I think this is mostly about not enough or no councillors caring what happens to these buildings.

Well, when your one and only priority is narrowing streets to punish motorists and construct unused bike lanes, and pandering to loud special interest groups, this is the result.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Well, when your one and only priority is narrowing streets to punish motorists and construct unused bike lanes, and pandering to loud special interest groups, this is the result.

...and here is the 'hand-wringing and anguished cries' we were waiting for...

:haha:

[atbw]

I actually do agree with this sentiment. As with Bloomfield, the old Dartmouth City Hall, etc., another publicly owned site of historic importance just being left to deteriorate.

I always like to think it's the hoards of dead in unmarked graves beneath the library cursing it to become their collective gravestone.

Would still be nice to see it become something at all though. It's absurd to think a public building on one of the busiest streets in town is being left to rot.

[Good Baklava]

It is a nice stone building with some interesting characteristics, and local architects have come up with reuse scenarios.

I have to agree. To be romantic, it represents an important era of Canadian history and marks a particular stage in the evolution of Halifax. I must say that I have a soft spot for some modernist public buildings.

[someone123]

I have to agree. To be romantic, it represents an important era of Canadian history and marks a particular stage in the evolution of Halifax. I must say that I have a soft spot for some modernist public buildings.

There was a pretty decent collection of 1940's and 50's era public and commercial buildings downtown but it's been completely trashed during the past decade or so. Ralston, BoC, the former Maritime Life Building, St. Pat's, the community college building, old YMCA, and the old library slowly falling apart, plus many others. None of these buildings had heritage protection and there won't be protected postwar buildings if they don't survive long enough to get registered.

Halifax was a boomtown during that era and it seems to me had an unusually nice collection of those buildings. Thankfully some nice ones still survive on the Dalhousie campus and are unlikely to go anywhere.

[MeEtc]

Construction fencing has been erected along Gottingen St this week, blocking the sidewalk beside the concrete wall of Stadacona between Almon and Macara. Maybe something finally being done about the brutalist wall?

[eastcoastal]

Construction fencing has been erected along Gottingen St this week, blocking the sidewalk beside the concrete wall of Stadacona between Almon and Macara. Maybe something finally being done about the brutalist wall?

I saw that too! Looks like the wall is coming down to me. If recent updates there are any indication, it'll be a low wall of precast faux stone capped with some sort of metal mass-manufactured fence where the paint will peel off in large sections that flap in the wind like little flags, giving us all a better view of the new (brutalist?) building.

[kph06]

Work looks to be starting for the demolition around the former OK Tire between Percy and Joe Howe. A neighboring property is fenced off and being gutted.

HRM Case 22503 (https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-22503-3575-3587-percy-st-joseph-howe-dr-halifax)

[Dmajackson]

Demolition Permits issued for 2850-2860 Isleville Street. This is the vacant commercial building and its neighbour across the street from Camille Residences and kitty corner to 5550 Bilby (both U/C). Unlike a lot of the immediate area it is not subject to a development agreement. It falls under C-2 zoning. The lots have frontage on both Isleville and Bilby Street.

Construction permit has been issued for 2850 Isleville. It's listed as a three storey, $1.5 million, 11'000sq ft commercial building for 'Other Services'. There's no residential units included.

This could support the rumour of a veterinarian clinic. Mostly likely with offices or something else on top.

[RoshanMcG]

This could support the rumour of a veterinarian clinic. Mostly likely with offices or something else on top.

This is going to be the North End Animal Hospital (https://www.facebook.com/northendanimalhospital/) by the owners of Eastern Passage Village Veterinary Hospital, and East Hants Animal Hospital.

Some pictures from their facebook:
https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119471331_175197407436163_8859109032571051448_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=bUfzAFL2_3gAX-zw3ln&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=8abbe2ffced72f5fd8743e3b99ff7053&oe=5FD41F66

https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119598756_175197430769494_6573091384915243569_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=tWffQYGh-eUAX_ZR23o&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=9d8bc20d3745daa9600792720aa5e64f&oe=5FD40024

[Summerville]

This is going to be the North End Animal Hospital (https://www.facebook.com/northendanimalhospital/) by the owners of Eastern Passage Village Veterinary Hospital, and East Hants Animal Hospital.

Some pictures from their facebook:
https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119471331_175197407436163_8859109032571051448_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=bUfzAFL2_3gAX-zw3ln&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=8abbe2ffced72f5fd8743e3b99ff7053&oe=5FD41F66

https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119598756_175197430769494_6573091384915243569_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=tWffQYGh-eUAX_ZR23o&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=9d8bc20d3745daa9600792720aa5e64f&oe=5FD40024


Its a significant hole now. Quite shocking how the bedrock goes right up to the sidewalk.

[Dmajackson]

The White Rose (2172 Gottingen Street) - These are 1 bedroom suites renting from $1'400 per month with a January 2021 start date (AMK Leasing).

https://64.media.tumblr.com/43c4ce00cb99a874b3943716e8cc73a6/1caf691669997d50-3d/s500x750/a1f2ce9d3ff54670462168dd6400ac793f783d22.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (https://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[Colin May]

Globe and Mail tells us what we already know about the crazy real estate market here.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-the-urban-atlantic-advantage-work-from-home-era-offers-halifax-more/
The home is at 789 Tower Road and just 270 feet from the rail lines and containers full of dangerous goods. Listed at $799,000 and sold for $790,000.
Assessment will rise from $593,500. HRM doing well from Deed Transfer Tax.
Dartmouth prices are putting homes and apartments out of reach of essential workers and the Centre Plan is out of date (if it ever was in date) before it becomes law. The 'density' mantra pushes people further away from the centre.

[HalifaxRetales]

https://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/photo-northend.jpg


This is going to be the North End Animal Hospital (https://www.facebook.com/northendanimalhospital/) by the owners of Eastern Passage Village Veterinary Hospital, and East Hants Animal Hospital.

Some pictures from their facebook:
https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119471331_175197407436163_8859109032571051448_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=bUfzAFL2_3gAX-zw3ln&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=8abbe2ffced72f5fd8743e3b99ff7053&oe=5FD41F66

https://scontent.fyhz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/119598756_175197430769494_6573091384915243569_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=tWffQYGh-eUAX_ZR23o&_nc_ht=scontent.fyhz1-1.fna&oh=9d8bc20d3745daa9600792720aa5e64f&oe=5FD40024

[Colin May]

Ibbotson nails it : " Suddenly, the idea of thousands upon thousands of people wasting hours each day funnelling into city centres in the morning and then back home at night seems faintly ridiculous. Who wants to go back to doing that five days a week?

If the future of the city involves more people working at least part of the time from home, housing will have to adapt. As it turns out, the detached suburban house is quite well suited to the task.

People downtown grapple with issues such as congestion, homelessness, affordability. They assign a high priority to combatting global warming. They seek redistributive solutions: social services, subsidized housing, anti-racism initiatives, bike lanes, a carbon tax. "

But the priorities of many suburbanites – including the 51 per cent of immigrants in Greater Toronto who live in suburbs – are aspirational rather than redistributive; they are more interested in getting ahead than in giving back. They don’t ride bikes between November and April, and they don’t seek to defund the police. As for global warming: pickup trucks.
If your response is that we must must get suburbanites to change their way of living and thinking, how do you plan to win their votes?

People in city centres should be thinking less about compelling suburbs to change, and more about what they’re going to do with all those empty downtown office towers and the shuttered stores in the malls beneath them, now that suburban workers are spending at least part of their work week at home.

They might ask how they’re going to get suburbanites to come downtown to shop and eat and see a movie or a play if they don’t work there much any more, cool new restaurants are opening in their own neighbourhood and everything they want to see is streamed."
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-the-future-of-the-city-includes-the-future-of-the-suburb-which/

[Keith P.]

I would agree, Colin, just based upon what we have seen happen in our own downtown. There is a balkanization that has taken place, with families largely found anywhere but downtown, which seems largely reserved for the DINK segment of society, usually ones where both partners have high-level jobs in order to let them afford that lifestyle. Nothing wrong with that, but it would seem to me to be a rather limiting sort of ethos for planners to embrace. Oddly enough, the COVID repercussions may contribute to even more of this, with empty office space being converted to housing units. Although the desirability of such units may again be somewhat limited if fewer jobs are found downtown. In some ways it may be a rerun of what was seen in the large North American cities several decades ago, as major firms pulled out of downtowns to build suburban office campuses.

[Dmajackson]

3077 - 3085 OXFORD STREET

Proposal is going to Design Advisory Committee next week for a Level III Site Plan Review.

Documents (https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/201125dacsp912_5.pdf) show a 6-storey / 21 metre / 61-unit residential building with ground floor commercial and underground parking. Commercial will be accessed off of Oxford Street while the residential entrance and parking will be off of Young Street.

[Dmajackson]

According to its construction permit EAST WEST STREET will be a hotel/motel type building.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/f72ec060d2385695047870e57c3c5abc/b67aeab5f19dd1c9-2b/s500x750/cf73a216ec24d492682d121201b757f44d820873.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (https://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[someone123]

Any news or renderings about what's being built here? I remember reading a while ago that this might have some kind of atrium. One of the most prominent sites being redeveloped right now.

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/126098462_386569169214751_5964644039556908556_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=107&_nc_ohc=swhTjdTYjFgAX9ATmmx&tp=1&oh=b1190a1220a7c795424576275cfb7e9c&oe=5FE70CC2
Source (https://www.instagram.com/ianbezanson/)

[someone123]

Construction at the former Squiggle Park site on Gottingen:

https://i.imgur.com/LxxmEkh.jpg
Source (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k956xHURHmE)

Will be interesting to see what the cladding looks like on this one. The main floor looks short for a commercial street, like the one on the other side of Falkland.

[Dmajackson]

^The 'For Lease' (Partners Global) sign on the front says it is designed for a 1'600 sq ft restuarant. One advantage this site does have is the unused public ROW in front. I'm sure a restaurant owner could get a permit for a small outdoor patio. Restaurants facing Gottingen Street can't build sidewalk patios because of the transit lane so this would be an advantage for this site that only The Local can compete with.

[someone123]

It is remarkable how much more vibrant Gottingen looks in that video even though it's in November during a pandemic. Years ago there was little going on on this street, and I'd guess it's only about halfway to where it's headed, with many lots or buildings still empty or under construction.

In a couple of years I think it will basically be considered a normal part of downtown, a kind of counterpoint to Spring Garden Road. And redevelopment along Cogswell and on the interchange lands will completely change how it relates to the main part of downtown.

[someone123]

A shot of Clyde Street, one of those "new vs. old Halifax" views. Seems that red 3 storey building is newly renovated. A few renovations have been happening along this stretch.

With these wooden buildings the quality of the streetscape depends so much on standards of maintenance. They can be dreary and run-down or delightfully bright and varied. I wonder what direction the city is moving in? It seems like overall there are more well-maintained buildings than in the past, although many historic character buildings are being lost to redevelopment or remodeling (whether this is a win or a loss is subjective).

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/128847081_435217484170924_2246393549507228884_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104&_nc_ohc=Lk2Hh04Z0QsAX9eBXeH&tp=1&oh=4007744fbca5d7e07b80a73a5c1af790&oe=5FF25D29
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/CITzNpwH7bE/)

[Drybrain]

Seems that red 3 storey building is newly renovated. A few renovations have been happening along this stretch.


I was by there a few weeks ago, and I didn’t take a close look, but it appeared that this part of the block is being renovated into storefronts. The buildings have nice new street frontages, including a new entrance handsomely meeting the corner of the block

For all the loss of historic buildings that happens, a few renovations like this go a long way. When they’re well done it almost feels like gaining new historic vernacular/character.

[someone123]

I always found the question of inherited historical architecture versus newly built stuff interesting. Sometimes people talk as if there's an insurmountable difference, and you obviously can't build a new historic building (by definition), but in principle there is no reason why many of these old buildings can't be built today, why a 2 storey wooden rowhouse can't become a 3 or 4 storey wooden rowhouse, or why a city needs to abandon its old vernacular styles and build modern generic stuff.

Some decry traditional-looking buildings as being Disney-like. But I don't know why a 3 storey wooden box apartment building from 1860 is appropriate on a street while one built in 2020 is not, as long as the quality is there and the building works well for the occupants and the city. We should not conflate the use of traditional crafts or styles with kitsch or cheapness.

In Halifax in particular I've always felt like it was kind of on the edge of feeling like a substantial historical city, and could go either way. So shoring up a few areas like this or Inglis or Cornwallis Street could really make a difference. If Halifax is developed well it could turn into something quite unique. I don't think there are any other historic East Coast cities that are being transformed as quickly today. The feel is a bit like the older West Coast American cities, but I think Halifax allows more flexible redevelopment than they do, and they are qualitatively just different types of cities in a variety of ways.

[Good Baklava]

I think many overlook the employment potential maintaining these heritage buildings has. If traditional craftsmanship is to be respected you have to employ local carpenters specialized in the trade, as opposed to buying modern siding from who-knows where. Windows too, fibreglass has a fixed lifespan before the whole window needs to be replaced, while with traditional glass you can continuously hire someone to repair it. It’s not just about protecting a building, you have a chance to preserve increasingly rare skills. That can be lost if the old building is too heavily modernized.

“Disneyfication” happens when the building is heavily modified so that it looks more historical than it actually is, but I can only think of one small example in Halifax. Heritage buildings aren’t Disney-like in their original form: it’s authenticity. I would instead say there’s a greater risk of oversimplification these days. If it’s a new building built in true traditional form, I think it could make sense if it’s replacing something already lost.

My guess is that the direction the historical buildings take will largely depend on how much investment is going into a neighbourhood but also how rare they become. I think their value is being recognized as street-view comparisons show many decrepit buildings from 5 years ago being renovated in 2019. There’s definitely a lot of merit to conserving not just key structures, but also their surrounding streetscape. Toronto has some old build buildings scattered here and there, but when they’re surrounded by modern buildings they no longer fit the context, you see the old building but don’t feel the history.

[atbw]

With these wooden buildings the quality of the streetscape depends so much on standards of maintenance. They can be dreary and run-down or delightfully bright and varied. I wonder what direction the city is moving in? It seems like overall there are more well-maintained buildings than in the past, although many historic character buildings are being lost to redevelopment or remodeling (whether this is a win or a loss is subjective).


I was very surprised by this reno. I recall it looking really dicy prior to this, and would have been in condition to be torn down. There's another building, a red house with a barn roof, on Queen Street that's being renovated to the studs with an addition built out back. And then the western portion of the Sweet Jane's building that got some tasteful restoration.

As simple as it seems, it looks like areas where there's heritage protections keep heritage buildings, and areas without them lose them.

As an addition to Disneyfication, it's also a function of the building being reduced to a facade, and heavily altered from it's original state. The Historic properties mall is somewhat an example of this, and possibly the RBC block.

[Keith P.]

I was very surprised by this reno. I recall it looking really dicy prior to this, and would have been in condition to be torn down. There's another building, a red house with a barn roof, on Queen Street that's being renovated to the studs with an addition built out back. And then the western portion of the Sweet Jane's building that got some tasteful restoration.


I used to live in this neighborhood in the '90s and often walked in the Clyde/Queen/Morris St areas. Back then a great many of the structures were decrepit. Morris St in particular had (and maybe still does have) a large number of old houses converted for students where a dozen or so live and which were infamous for loud, rowdy parties and the piles of beat-up furniture left on the curbs when they vacated each Spring. The number of places that were not was probably much smaller, and there were many that were somewhere in between, not particularly attractive (think vinyl siding and replacement cheap slider windows) but apparently not falling down. A lot of them were rental housing, often student housing or rooming houses. A couple of times I toured around there looking for a possible place for myself, and the ones I looked at inside were not attractive. Renovations now can only be a good thing.

Back then even "Historic Schmidtville" (a term almost nobody used in those days) was very much a mixed bag of run-down wooden buildings, a few nicely restored examples occupied by owners, and multi-unit rentals. Given the lack of parking (or even driveways) in many cases it was limited to a particular segment of the market. The more attractive (from the outside at least) examples were to be found on South Park St, from near Spring Garden all the way down to Inglis St., but again, a great many had been converted to multi-unit rentals of greatly variable quality inside.

[someone123]

There are still a few light blue vinyl-clad rentals along Morris Street.

[Dmajackson]

The White Rose (2172 Gottingen Street) - These are 1 bedroom suites renting from $1'400 per month with a January 2021 start date (AMK Leasing).

https://64.media.tumblr.com/43c4ce00cb99a874b3943716e8cc73a6/1caf691669997d50-3d/s500x750/a1f2ce9d3ff54670462168dd6400ac793f783d22.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (https://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

The commercial leasing brochures for this property and 2050 Gottingen are available on Partners Global website;

Flyer for 2172 Gottingen Street (https://www.partnersglobal.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/Flyer%20-%202172%20Gottingen%20Street%202020.11.30.pdf)

Flyer for 2050 Gottingen Street (https://www.partnersglobal.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/Flyer%20-%202050%20Gottingen%20Street%202020.11.30.pdf)

https://www.partnersglobal.com/sites/default/files/styles/slick_media/public/2020-12/screen_shot_2020-12-03_at_10.30.53_am.png?itok=uYAyDrOO
Source (https://www.partnersglobal.com/property/2050-gottingen-street-north-end-halifax)

Both commercial units are being advertised for restaurants. Both are listing the possibility of rooftop patios and 2050 also shows the possibility for a street-side terrace for summer use. Also noted is between the two buildings there will be 66 one bedroom residential units. Add the 68 units going up at The Velo Phase II and 20-25 units at 2172 Gottingen and that is up to 160 units (~320 people) of additional density directly on southern Gottingen Street in 2021.

[someone123]

Nice find. 2050 Gottingen has a somewhat more interesting design than I expected. I'm eager to see how it turns out.

Funny how those renderings have generic city surroundings and don't match the area. I think the "illustrative" rooftop patio 2172 Gottingen picture might be Seattle.

They contain a recent aerial photo of the neighbourhood. I stitched them together to take out the markers:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/792/lT2En6.jpg

It has come a long way and still has a long way to go to get rid of all those ugly parking lots and the odd 70's car-oriented urban renewal stuff.

[Keith P.]

It has come a long way and still has a long way to go to get rid of all those ugly parking lots and the odd 70's car-oriented urban renewal stuff.

I don't see many parking lots at all. There is one run by HRM next to the destroyed Rainnie Drive which seems to be in an odd location but which apparently is fairly popular for downtown workers. A bit of a walk but it must be cheap. The other one I see is below Gottingen St and was originally conceived as an ill-advised shopper's parking lot back in the days when Gottingen was thought to be a commercial retail destination.

[Good Baklava]

I don't see many parking lots at all. There is one run by HRM next to the destroyed Rainnie Drive which seems to be in an odd location but which apparently is fairly popular for downtown workers. A bit of a walk but it must be cheap. The other one I see is below Gottingen St and was originally conceived as an ill-advised shopper's parking lot back in the days when Gottingen was thought to be a commercial retail destination.

It might not be the end of the world to have parking lots here and there and it gives developers a small revenue stream while they wait to build, but it’s a lot of potential real estate. Even Brunswick place has a lot of hidden potential. If they put in an office building with underground parking on one of these lots it could also be used by shoppers when empty off working hours.

[Dmajackson]

The White Rose - 2172 Gottingen

https://64.media.tumblr.com/4a5958b5cb650dccc5cba41f83cf19a6/e8873284e2d05556-85/s500x750/5371c47683b6c61a4bb7f42e0befc89888fcaeb3.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (https://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[Good Baklava]

Neat little infill project, I was wondering how it would turn out.

I’m curious about the choice of name... House of York?

[RoshanMcG]

Misc. views of the former Mill's:

http://i.imgur.com/3xYGPWkh.jpg (https://imgur.com/3xYGPWk)

http://i.imgur.com/R5SazRGh.jpg (https://imgur.com/R5SazRG)


And the new Queen Street intersection. Now, coming down Queen you need to stop and turn left to continue onto Queen. When you are going up Queen (from Spring Garden), you can now only turn right onto Sackville.
http://i.imgur.com/n7Z9Kaih.jpg (https://imgur.com/n7Z9Kai)

[alps]

Thanks for the photos! I can't wait to see the plans for this site. I hope the street frontage is better than the Doyle's.

Good to see that they have replaced the awnings on the Bond Centre (ex-Cornwallis House). They are missing in the July 2019 Google Street View images and the building looked a bit barren without them.

[Keith P.]

That is a large, significant piece of real estate on SGR. The buildings tended to mask just how large that was. It will be interesting (to say the least) to see what is proposed.

I have not had the chance to venture through that intersection yet. One wonders if it is an improvement or just another case of HRM staff using the street network as a sandbox to play in.

[IanWatson]

That is a large, significant piece of real estate on SGR. The buildings tended to mask just how large that was. It will be interesting (to say the least) to see what is proposed.

I have not had the chance to venture through that intersection yet. One wonders if it is an improvement or just another case of HRM staff using the street network as a sandbox to play in.

I don’t think anyone could make that intersection worse than it was.

[atbw]

That is a large, significant piece of real estate on SGR. The buildings tended to mask just how large that was. It will be interesting (to say the least) to see what is proposed.


There were elements of the lot that were nice, but nobody can argue it wasn't under-utilized. Hopefully it has a better street presence than the Doyle. My extra wish is that it gets broken up a little bit like the Vic on Hollis.

[someone123]

Some of the Mickey MacDonald interviews about this talk it up a fair amount with claims that this will be an architectural landmark, will have a $100M budget, an atrium component, etc. I still have little idea what it will look like but it could in principle be a big upgrade if it's designed well.

I also like the idea of breaking up the facade and an atrium could work well with that. It'll be interesting to see what kind of interior public space it provides and how the atrium design if that happens interacts with outside. In Halifax I think there's sometimes too hard of a distinction between outdoor and indoor spaces. It would be nice to have bright but sheltered spaces that are not climate controlled. Sort of along the lines of the Rogers covered street thing but less cave-like.

[Drybrain]

Some of the Mickey MacDonald interviews about this talk it up a fair amount with claims that this will be an architectural landmark, will have a $100M budget, an atrium component, etc. I still have little idea what it will look like but it could in principle be a big upgrade if it's designed well.

I also like the idea of breaking up the facade and an atrium could work well with that. It'll be interesting to see what kind of interior public space it provides and how the atrium design if that happens interacts with outside. In Halifax I think there's sometimes too hard of a distinction between outdoor and indoor spaces. It would be nice to have bright but sheltered spaces that are not climate controlled. Sort of along the lines of the Rogers covered street thing but less cave-like.

I hope so. I'm not sure Mickey and I have the same idea of what constitutes a "landmark" but if he's hired decent architects and is actually willing to put up the cash for a quality building, I'll remain optimistic.

[someone123]

I hope so. I'm not sure Mickey and I have the same idea of what constitutes a "landmark" but if he's hired decent architects and is actually willing to put up the cash for a quality building, I'll remain optimistic.

I believe Westwood is working on this too. So I wonder if it will look like all the other Westwood buildings, which are okay but don't stand out much architecturally, or will include some external architect and have more detail.

I have not seen it in person but I've been impressed by the pictures circulating of details on Queen's Marque, like the metal panels or Fresnel lens type decorations. I think details like that would work well on Spring Garden Road. I don't consider The Doyle a disaster but I think it has too little character and pedestrian interest. There's a bad trend in general toward new buildings being glassy shells. The commercial tenants do bring some interest too but it's not the same as permanent architectural landmarks.

[Jonovision]

The old Credit Union office building on Spring Garden is being converted into apartments and will be called The Muse.

http://themuseonspringgarden.com/

It doesn't look like any significant changes to the exterior aside from the entrance so they might not need to go to the DRC for approval. The website being up makes me think they are going to start anytime.

http://themuseonspringgarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Muse-Web-Building-Overview-Inset-Pic.jpg

[someone123]

A shot of the Gottingen Street area. I thought this looked pretty nice, and it shows off how much denser the neighbourhood looks with the new construction.

The Staples stands out in this one as being inappropriate for the location.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/5350/2QVKMa.jpg
Source (https://www.instagram.com/p/CI_BrezHqOo/)

[Hali87]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50752701942_6becb331d5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kjQS6d)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2kjQS6d) by Hali87 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/72021271@N05/), on Flickr

[mleblanc]

Awesome pics tonight, thanks guys. North end is looking great. I've heard rumours for years now that Staples will be redeveloped. That whole neighbourhood could be really interesting - lots of free space around Centennial Pool, HRP HQ redevelopment, etc.

[Jonovision]

Awesome pics tonight, thanks guys. North end is looking great. I've heard rumours for years now that Staples will be redeveloped. That whole neighbourhood could be really interesting - lots of free space around Centennial Pool, HRP HQ redevelopment, etc.

The staples property is owned by Southwest. Last I heard redevelopment here was behind Cunard and the motherhouse lands development in their pipeline. So probably a few years yet before we hear anything.

[Good Baklava]

Beautiful.