General Updates and News

[Ziobrop]

Kind of interesting that they did a DA for this when it is relatively small and close to what could be built as of right.

It is hard to tell from the elevation drawings but if it turns out well it'll be a neat little project. I like the use of a fairly narrow lot. There are a lot of spaces like this around the peninsula that are underused and could be filled with small-footprint buildings.

Not all of the new buildings around the Hydrostone market turned out great but it's definitely more of a medium density neighbourhood than it used to be. As recently as 10 years ago or so it was more like a semi-suburban area with a nice landmark.

You need a da for almost anything. Variances seem to get rejected, so better to just do the full da up front.

Heck, gpac had to do a full da with traffic study to build a new kennel with a capacity of 5 more dogs then the old one...

[IanWatson]

Kind of interesting that they did a DA for this when it is relatively small and close to what could be built as of right.


Apparently the commercial portion is as-of-right. The DA is needed for the residential unit because the minimum lot size for a residential unit is 3000 SF and this lot is only 2100 SF.

[Dmajackson]

3138 Isleville is now complete. "11 Street Boutique" has opened up on the ground floor;

http://66.media.tumblr.com/b2f504b22196bd6000af25d326dc84ae/tumblr_o9swsp9VaT1tvjdq8o1_1280.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[eastcoastal]

3138 Isleville is now complete. "11 Street Boutique" has opened up on the ground floor;



Could you tell what kind of store 11 Street Boutique is?

[mleblanc]

Could you tell what kind of store 11 Street Boutique is?

A quick google search tells me it's a small women's/mens clothing boutique
http://www.11streetboutique.com/

[planarchy]

HRM Apartments building for the old Gottingen Terrace site. It's AOR, likely starting soon. Designed by Lydon Lynch. Also looks like one of the two HTNS sites across the street will start soon - source: http://palhalifax.org/2016/04/the-year-is-off-to-a-very-exciting-start/

https://d2kcmk0r62r1qk.cloudfront.net/imageSponsors/xlarge/2016_07_11_11_02_39_2300_gottingen_rendering.jpg

source: https://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/2300-gottingen-street

[someone123]

HRM Apartments building for the old Gottingen Terrace site. It's AOR, likely starting soon. Designed by Lydon Lynch. Also looks like one of the two HTNS sites across the street will start soon - source: http://palhalifax.org/2016/04/the-year-is-off-to-a-very-exciting-start/

I might be misremembering this but I think the empty lot is going to be built up in two phases, with ~200 units in total. So this would only be the first half, I guess at the northern end of the lot.

It looks like they will be adding a large amount of commercial space on the ground level. I bet it will be hard to fill all of these spaces along Gottingen in the short run, but that they will be better for the street in the long run. I doubt ground-floor residential would be very desirable anyway.

The street's been slowly changing but I have a feeling this site plus HTNS is going to be a kind of inflection point. In 5-10 years it would be great if Barrington attracted some bigger stores and the local mom and pop places thrived along the length of Gottingen.

[Keith P.]

In 5-10 years it would be great if Barrington attracted some bigger stores and the local mom and pop places thrived along the length of Gottingen.

The projects across the street will need to be addressed for that to happen.

[RealEstateGeek]

Yes, the property will be built out in two phases with about 180 units in total. all mid priced rental apartments. the retail on the ground floor is only 30 feet deep with parking in behind. Phase 1 is 100 apartments (studios, 1 bed and 2 bed) and 5,000 SF of retail with 12 foot plus ceilings. All focused on a modest price point. The developer is looking to focus on food orientated retailers to create a focus for the development. Excavation supposed to start in late July.

If you add this to the Housing Trust projects, you have just over 400 units planned for a 2 block area.



I might be misremembering this but I think the empty lot is going to be built up in two phases, with ~200 units in total. So this would only be the first half, I guess at the northern end of the lot.

It looks like they will be adding a large amount of commercial space on the ground level. I bet it will be hard to fill all of these spaces along Gottingen in the short run, but that they will be better for the street in the long run. I doubt ground-floor residential would be very desirable anyway.

The street's been slowly changing but I have a feeling this site plus HTNS is going to be a kind of inflection point. In 5-10 years it would be great if Barrington attracted some bigger stores and the local mom and pop places thrived along the length of Gottingen.

[planarchy]

Yes, the property will be built out in two phases with about 180 units in total. all mid priced rental apartments. the retail on the ground floor is only 30 feet deep with parking in behind. Phase 1 is 100 apartments (studios, 1 bed and 2 bed) and 5,000 SF of retail with 12 foot plus ceilings. All focused on a modest price point. The developer is looking to focus on food orientated retailers to create a focus for the development. Excavation supposed to start in late July.

If you add this to the Housing Trust projects, you have just over 400 units planned for a 2 block area.

Any idea when the Housing Trust projects will start and which site will go first? Always thought it would be the Diamond, but PalHalifax is suggesting it will be the MET.

[eastcoastal]

A quick google search tells me it's a small women's/mens clothing boutique
http://www.11streetboutique.com/

Thanks for Google Searching on my behalf! LOL

[bluenoser]

It's quite possible that this was already posted but just in case:

Dartmouth Sportsplex unveils $23-million revamp


https://vmcdn.ca/f/files/localxpress/images/news/tk062316sportsplex.jpg;w=630

https://www.localxpress.ca/local-news/dartmouth-sportsplex-unveils-23-million-revamp-323883

[Hali87]

On a related note

Here's the new $23-million Dalplex replacement (http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2016/07/13/heres-the-new-23-million-dalplex-replacement)

http://media1.fdncms.com/thecoast/imager/u/blog/5506130/dalplex.jpg?cb=1468685024
Source (http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2016/07/13/heres-the-new-23-million-dalplex-replacement)

[JET]

Sounds like it's a Dalplex addition, since they will be keeping the current Dalplex

[alps]

Yeah, the article title is pretty sloppy.

[Jonovision]

The small office development that burned down last year on Maitland street has been most rebuild.

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8156/28331506662_ebb95deb36_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KaynSN)20160720_141336 (https://flic.kr/p/KaynSN) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Jonovision]

A few drive by shots of the new building going up on Kaye. Now topped out.

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8041/28264284630_d9b3d4b62f_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/K4BR7f)20160725_125211 (https://flic.kr/p/K4BR7f) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8868/28470458031_3a30c65295_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KnQxh4)20160725_144858 (https://flic.kr/p/KnQxh4) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Aya_Akai]

Just a couple generic shots of downtown I didn't really feel fit specific into any other thread from my Pokémon-ey adventures around downtown on Monday, please enjoy! :) (click images for larger size)

http://i.imgur.com/uvcPy6yl.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/uvcPy6y.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/Fn2TK0Hl.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/Fn2TK0H.jpg)
Images ©Me

[Jonovision]

Update of that small infill that had previously collapsed on Lucknow. Looks quite nice.

https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8663/28671491461_91a8dbc8a9_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KFATvF)20160803_153437_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/KFATvF) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Dmajackson]

Halifax Grammar School has sold it's Atlantic Street campus to the Fountain family. They are also applying for a zoning change for the Tower Road location to allow for an expansion of the heritage building to hold all 500 students.

Halifax Planning - Case 20405 (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Applications/Case20405details.php)

The Chronicle Herald - "Halifax Grammar School Campuses Merging Following Property Sale (http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1385196-halifax-grammar-school-campuses-merging-following-property-sale)

[Colin May]

Update of that small infill that had previously collapsed on Lucknow. Looks quite nice.

https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8663/28671491461_91a8dbc8a9_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KFATvF)20160803_153437_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/KFATvF) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr
Mr Clark Wilkins was hit with a $60,000 fine for the collapse, caused by hiring people who were not qualified tradesmen.

[someone123]

I like the idea of these small-scale infill projects but if you look closely you can see that a lot of the ornamentation was stripped off of the old house. It looks like vinyl siding and a lot of the detailing is pretty sloppy or coarse (e.g. around the bay windows), although I guess they're not quite finished yet. The craftsmanship is nowhere near what it was with the original house.

Had they done a real restoration job on the house in front and then built a simple box in behind it would have looked a lot better.

[JET]

Good news for Wyse Road: http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1385769-dartmouth-apartment-tower-may-rise-in-place-of-old-bar-strip-club

[cdufton]

Hi all, anyone know what's going on at the VIC by the wave on the waterfront? Fencing put up yesterday and a few lifts of lumber just dropped off this morning. I couldn't find anything on WDC website.

Edit: Answering my own question, turns out I know a guy on the crew and ran into him at lunch, they are doing a wraparound deck at the visitor center.

[JET]

I was driving down Agricola, and noted that at the South end 2328-2336 is getting a big reno. I like that building because of the drive through, there's not that many of them left in Halifax. Be interesting to see what goes there

[Colin May]

Burnside Motel,739 Windmill Road, was sold on July 15 2016 for $2.6 million and the fencing went up today with demolition pending. Anyone know what is planned for the 1.4 acre property ?

[someone123]

I was driving down Agricola, and noted that at the South end 2328-2336 is getting a big reno. I like that building because of the drive through, there's not that many of them left in Halifax. Be interesting to see what goes there

ANS reported that Adam Barrett, a local developer, has purchased a new buildings near Agricola and Cunard with the intent of restoring them and renting them out. They didn't specify the addresses but it sounds like these are the buildings. His previous and ongoing projects include 2084 Creighton and the St. Pat's Rectory, so this seems like good news.

There are still a ton of well-located buildings in the old North End with restoration potential. In the future I hope we'll also see more conversions of these rowhouses into 3 and 4 storey buildings. My ideal North End would have lots of midrises on empty and underused sites combined with mostly 2-4 storey rowhouses. This would support enough population density to have vibrant commercial areas along Gottingen and part of Agricola.

Near the top of the list of buildings needing restoration work, in my opinion, is the cluster of vinyl-clad houses at the corner of Cogswell and North Park.

[Colin May]

Near the top of the list of buildings needing restoration work, in my opinion, is the cluster of vinyl-clad houses at the corner of Cogswell and North Park.
One of the most disgusting properties in a city centre. An offence on our sensibilities.

[TheGreenBastard]

Looks like the WTCC will be sold to a private developer.

[IanWatson]

Near the top of the list of buildings needing restoration work, in my opinion, is the cluster of vinyl-clad houses at the corner of Cogswell and North Park.

Sadly, the building at the corner of Cogswell and Maynard is currently being clad in vinyl (it had wood clapboard). Whoever is doing the work seems to be doing a pretty substandard job too... the siding is all wavy in spots.

The ones on North Park and Cogswell are currently tied up in a will dispute. AllNS has reported on it a couple of times. Apparently the son took possession of three or four buildings when the father died, and the sisters don't believe he had the power to do that so they're suing.

[Keith P.]

An interesting article about a development project in San Francisco. Not much different than Halifax, including the before-and-after architecture styles shown.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/place/article/SF-building-illustrates-how-politics-shape-design-9140962.php?t=abea55a06f6c5a3c1f&cmpid=fb-premium

[Jonovision]

These went up on the waterfront last week. A really great addition if you ask me!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8043/29128992515_de4dc80720_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Lo2GCT)20160818_142217 (https://flic.kr/p/Lo2GCT) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[Aya_Akai]

http://i.imgur.com/37r53B2.png

[Keith P.]

Strikes me as a pretty dumb idea. Swinging seating if they really felt the need to do something there would have been far more useful to more people.

[Metalsales]

Burnside Motel,739 Windmill Road, was sold on July 15 2016 for $2.6 million and the fencing went up today with demolition pending. Anyone know what is planned for the 1.4 acre property ?

If I recall, it is going to be a car dealership. I believe Dodge

[Keith P.]

If I recall, it is going to be a car dealership. I believe Dodge

Yes, HalifaxRetales reported that but I am dubious about the Dodge dealer part. We have 3 locations for them already and I doubt we would need a 4th, especially there.

[Wishblade]

I think the hammocks are a great idea, and they are in whats a very scenic part of the boardwalk which is a nice bonus. But why did they have to be so ugly? That construction orange color is just wrong :yuck:

[Phalanx]

Cheap, strong, durable, deters theft?

[Dmajackson]

Sackville Street now has 6 construction sites! 5 are visible in the photo below (The Pavilion is not). Remind me to get this angle again in two years!

http://67.media.tumblr.com/64c5fd10bdaafcb7689daa01bf6d54ef/tumblr_ocdpffgU3r1tvjdq8o1_1280.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

PS There will be updates to 7 downtown projects posted on tumblr over the next couple of days. :)

[Colin May]

'Fred' on the corner of Agricola & North sold on August 24 for $1.2 million; more than double the assessed value of $583,600.
A very nice capital gain

[teddifax]

I hope it's not Car Dealership guy!!!

[Keith P.]

I hope it's not Car Dealership guy!!!

Bought by Pete Luckett. Word is he is going to open a cidery and brewery there. Guess one brewery every square block is the goal for that area.

[Ziobrop]

'Fred' on the corner of Agricola & North sold on August 24 for $1.2 million; more than double the assessed value of $583,600.
A very nice capital gain

Pete Luckett bought it.

[Jonovision]

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8185/29010282390_17a52be6cc_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LcxhfA)20160825_145149 (https://flic.kr/p/LcxhfA) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[teddifax]

I'll put this here.... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dartmouth-waterfront-ocean-science-technology-hub-government-1.3744653

[eastcoastal]

Bought by Pete Luckett. Word is he is going to open a cidery and brewery there. Guess one brewery every square block is the goal for that area.

Bet we could fit two per block if we tried.

[teddifax]

From Halifax ReTales : Marriott has purchased the Ramada in Burnside and will be rebranding it as a Delta Hotel.

[bluenoser]

Downtown Dartmouth project would take wood to new heights

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B97608885Z.120160902192202000GC7ENGR9.11.jpg

Dartmouth’s Main Street could soon be home to an innovative, environmentally-friendly wood building — all part of the city’s revitalization plan.

On Friday, Atlantic Wood Works announced the development of Garden View, a six storey mixed-use building.

It’s the first building planned for a project called Reinventing Main Street that is looking to provide affordable housing for seniors and families in HRM.

Architect Tom Emodi is responsible for designing two of the five buildings that will make up the 20-year project.

...

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1393910-downtown-dartmouth-project-would-take-wood-to-new-heights

[Keith P.]

Dartmouth's carpenter ants are all celebrating.

[ILoveHalifax]

Dartmouth's carpenter ants are all celebrating.

Be a real shame to leave Watts out of that party

[terrynorthend]

Dartmouth's carpenter ants are all celebrating.

Also, I would not attempt to call the former Garden View property on Main Street, "Downtown Dartmouth". Who was the copyeditor on the original story?

-Ah, the Chronically Horrid- say no more...

[bluenoser]

Also, I would not attempt to call the former Garden View property on Main Street, "Downtown Dartmouth". Who was the copyeditor on the original story?

-Ah, the Chronically Horrid- say no more...

Haha, I considered adding my own quotation marks to the title when I posted it.

[Empire]

Does anyone care that stately homes on Young Ave. can be demolished so easily? eg. the Cleveland Estate and the Fram House......

http://globalnews.ca/news/2923819/halifax-mansion-tenant-comes-home-to-see-rental-property-being-demolished/

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6337159,-63.5755124,3a,75y,34.25h,76.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6QW0MqeQ4zJ0g7UWcuetew!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[terrynorthend]

Haha, I considered adding my own quotation marks to the title when I posted it.

Downtown Dartmouth (sic) project would take wood to new heights

There. I fixed it.
:)

[Keith P.]

Does anyone care that stately homes on Young Ave. can be demolished so easily? eg. the Cleveland Estate and the Fram House......



The one currently being taken down has been a pretty awful apartment building for 30 or 40 years. Whatever replaces it will certainly be an improvement. Houses have been taken down there every decade. I suspect it is mostly the usual Halifax stuck-in-the-past mentality at play here.

[eastcoastal]

The one currently being taken down has been a pretty awful apartment building for 30 or 40 years. Whatever replaces it will certainly be an improvement. Houses have been taken down there every decade. I suspect it is mostly the usual Halifax stuck-in-the-past mentality at play here.

Again... beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that... does anyone think that what most of the demolished houses were replaced with are improvements?

I can only think of two I'd consider as "high-quality"
This one (which I don't personally consider beautiful) https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6305456,-63.5738992,3a,38.6y,280.28h,90.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXPfMa3ZF1TrAkimugWO59Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

And this one, which I do think is beautiful https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6273802,-63.5720955,3a,34.1y,68.27h,85.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sukOjqDu0DMwbObJS_aohZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[OldDartmouthMark]

Does anyone care that stately homes on Young Ave. can be demolished so easily? eg. the Cleveland Estate and the Fram House......

http://globalnews.ca/news/2923819/halifax-mansion-tenant-comes-home-to-see-rental-property-being-demolished/

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6337159,-63.5755124,3a,75y,34.25h,76.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6QW0MqeQ4zJ0g7UWcuetew!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I do, but there's no point in caring as our weak laws and unconcerned councilors allow the 'developers' to do what they please. In this case it appears that their goal was to render the building 'unfixable' on a long weekend, before anybody had a chance to protest it. Upstanding characters there, for sure.

[Empire]

The one currently being taken down has been a pretty awful apartment building for 30 or 40 years. Whatever replaces it will certainly be an improvement. Houses have been taken down there every decade. I suspect it is mostly the usual Halifax stuck-in-the-past mentality at play here.

Then you would suspect wrong. The row houses on Young Ave. that have sprung up are of average quality and they have vinyl siding on the back....not to mention they are row houses infilling estate lots.

Stuck in-the-past must mean supporting the preservation of architecturally significant buildings in Halifax. They just can't construct with the same quality as they did 50-150 years ago.

[Empire]

I do, but there's no point in caring as our weak laws and unconcerned councilors allow the 'developers' to do what they please. In this case it appears that their goal was to render the building 'unfixable' on a long weekend, before anybody had a chance to protest it. Upstanding characters there, for sure.

Warsaw can rebuild an entire section of their city but Halifax can't stop the bombing.

Warsaw rebuilds...smart
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/30

[someone123]

Warsaw can rebuild an entire section of their city but Halifax can't stop the bombing.

It would be nice to see a few more reconstruction projects in Halifax, particularly along the waterfront, to complement what's already there. One interesting building would be the Hauser Stores, which originally had the clock tower on it. Another more ambitious building would be the Cunard warehouse and offices, which looked somewhat like the Morse's Teas building. Both of those are architecturally and historically significant.

Another one I can think of is Prince Edward's house near the Citadel but I have never found a detailed description or drawing of it. Maybe the Cogswell interchange should include a heritage component to restore some of the historical context that was lost.

[Empire]

It would be nice to see a few more reconstruction projects in Halifax, particularly along the waterfront, to complement what's already there. One interesting building would be the Hauser Stores, which originally had the clock tower on it. Another more ambitious building would be the Cunard warehouse and offices, which looked somewhat like the Morse's Teas building. Both of those are architecturally and historically significant.

Another one I can think of is Prince Edward's house near the Citadel but I have never found a detailed description or drawing of it. Maybe the Cogswell interchange should include a heritage component to restore some of the historical context that was lost.

The Customs House would be an excellent candidate and there was a flat iron building demolished where the triangular parking lot for the Delta Barrington is located. I am always amazed that there never is any mention of rebuilding Halifax's lost treasures. There was a train commuter station near the approach for the MacDonald that was a mini version of Union Station in Toronto. Let's rebuild this town instead of tearing it down!

[Drybrain]

The Customs House would be an excellent candidate and there was a flat iron building demolished where the triangular parking lot for the Delta Barrington is located. I am always amazed that there never is any mention of rebuilding Halifax's lost treasures. There was a train commuter station near the approach for the MacDonald that was a mini version of Union Station in Toronto. Let's rebuild this town instead of tearing it down!

It would be very cool to see a rebuild of one or two landmark lost buildings as part of the redevelopment, amid an otherwise contemporary project. It would be surprising, and unusual for Canada, but maybe it's something to push for when the project inevitably comes to public consultations.

[essaysmith]

Then you would suspect wrong. The row houses on Young Ave. that have sprung up are of average quality and they have vinyl siding on the back....not to mention they are row houses infilling estate lots.

Stuck in-the-past must mean supporting the preservation of architecturally significant buildings in Halifax. They just can't construct with the same quality as they did 50-150 years ago.

It's too bad these buildings couldn't at least be deconstructed and rebuilt somewhere else. With this happening quite often in Halifax recently, I'm tempted to start a business doing this.

[Empire]

It's too bad these buildings couldn't at least be deconstructed and rebuilt somewhere else. With this happening quite often in Halifax recently, I'm tempted to start a business doing this.

Gottingen street would be a perfect location. This location below should have been designated Heritage Reconstruction District...no property tax for 25 years for all rebuilds in the district!

Heritage Reconstruction District needed:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6537458,-63.5859082,3a,75y,189.27h,75.08t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQgjd_5n_3vlY_pSNPqQ0HA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DQgjd_5n_3vlY_pSNPqQ0HA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D14.021943%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656

[Keith P.]

EsCyC1dZiN8

[Ziobrop]

The Customs House would be an excellent candidate and there was a flat iron building demolished where the triangular parking lot for the Delta Barrington is located. I am always amazed that there never is any mention of rebuilding Halifax's lost treasures. There was a train commuter station near the approach for the MacDonald that was a mini version of Union Station in Toronto. Let's rebuild this town instead of tearing it down!

Commuter? that was the main halifax station untill it was destroyed in the explosion. the current main station didnt open untill 1928- a temporary south end station was used next door. untill it was completed.

[Hali87]

EsCyC1dZiN8

Kind of ironic to use a Jethro Tull reference to make a point about others being stuck in the past, no? (good band though! :cheers:)

[RoshanMcG]

Hi all, anyone know what's going on at the VIC by the wave on the waterfront? Fencing put up yesterday and a few lifts of lumber just dropped off this morning. I couldn't find anything on WDC website.

Edit: Answering my own question, turns out I know a guy on the crew and ran into him at lunch, they are doing a wraparound deck at the visitor center.

Here's what it looks like, now completed:

http://i.imgur.com/EjqmE4a.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/EjqmE4a)

http://i.imgur.com/seTn1fN.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/seTn1fN)

[Dmajackson]

^Looks pretty cool at night! :D

http://66.media.tumblr.com/1c46b64db5188aef20e1d00fb54737da/tumblr_oddb9gC1T11tvjdq8o1_540.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[beyeas]

^Looks pretty cool at night! :D

http://66.media.tumblr.com/1c46b64db5188aef20e1d00fb54737da/tumblr_oddb9gC1T11tvjdq8o1_540.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

Reminds me of the art deco Beach Patrol Headquarters on South Beach!

[Keith P.]

Here's what it looks like, now completed:
http://i.imgur.com/seTn1fN.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/seTn1fN)


Some quality craftsmanship right there. Those stair railings are especially nice. I love the robust bracketry they used to hold them to the floorboards.

Everything about that waterfront is utterly ticky-tack.

[eastcoastal]

...robust bracketry ....

You've coined my new favourite term. Love "robust bracketry"

(and I totally agree - the night shots look decent, but those details do NOT suggest quality craftsmanship)

[Dmajackson]

Rendering for 2533 Agricola (formerly Nauss Bike Shop)

http://67.media.tumblr.com/939c8518adb56460165f8ab9ac7c6af5/tumblr_odkhg2slYT1tvjdq8o1_1280.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[JET]

I've been driving by there and wondering what was going in there. I was surprised that they kept any of the old buildings, rather than just flatten it all.
It's been interesting watching the renos at 2330 Agricola, should be nice when they are done.

[Keith P.]

WTF is a "boutique motel"?!? A motel on Agricola St.???

[terrynorthend]

Here's what it looks like, now completed:

http://i.imgur.com/EjqmE4a.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/EjqmE4a)

http://i.imgur.com/seTn1fN.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/seTn1fN)

Saw a woman trip off of these odd and uneven steps the other day. Now this is some Killer Stairs (TM)!!

[Keith P.]

Saw a woman trip off of these odd and uneven steps the other day. Now this is some Killer Stairs (TM)!!

Indeed. HRM is developing quite the reputation for being overly enamored with the terrible treads.

[Design-mind]

I posted a few construction photos under each respective building. I recently visited Halifax for the first time. I am very impressed with the public spaces along the waterfront as well as the Public Library and other spaces to numerous to mention. Well done Halifax!

[eastcoastal]

Rendering for 2533 Agricola (formerly Nauss Bike Shop)

http://67.media.tumblr.com/939c8518adb56460165f8ab9ac7c6af5/tumblr_odkhg2slYT1tvjdq8o1_1280.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

"Boutique Motel"

That does not sound promising. I'm good with the distillery and retail/bar stuff though.

[JET]

Motels usually have parking, right? :shrug:

[Keith P.]

Motels usually have parking, right? :shrug:

"Motor Hotel", for the automotive traveler, shortened to motel. So, yes.

[eastcoastal]

"Motor Hotel", for the automotive traveler, shortened to motel. So, yes.

Seems like a use not best suited for a dense urban situation

[Hali87]

By definition motels are designed so that you can just drive right up to the door of your room, and have external passageways instead of interior hallways, but "motel" is also kind of shorthand for "limited-service hotel with no/few common areas", which I'm guessing is what they mean here.

[Keith P.]

By definition motels are designed so that you can just drive right up to the door of your room, and have external passageways instead of interior hallways, but "motel" is also kind of shorthand for "limited-service hotel with no/few common areas", which I'm guessing is what they mean here.

I have never seen a motel that had no parking area. If they mean what you propose, they are using the wrong word.

[planarchy]

but "motel" is also kind of shorthand for "limited-service hotel with no/few common areas", which I'm guessing is what they mean here.

I think you got it. I've heard that it's basically a few AirBnB rentals

[terrynorthend]

By definition motels are designed so that you can just drive right up to the door of your room, and have external passageways instead of interior hallways, but "motel" is also kind of shorthand for "limited-service hotel with no/few common areas", which I'm guessing is what they mean here.

Its a "NO-tel"™!

[Dmajackson]

Excellent restoration job on St. Patrick's Rectory (Brunswick Street)

http://66.media.tumblr.com/284447979324fbcdfc8167541c39e033/tumblr_oejzf3sxmK1tvjdq8o1_540.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

[someone123]

Here's a nice shot that shows a few buildings under construction:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuFG_igWgAAdhgA.jpg:large
Source (https://twitter.com/Mikebayerphoto)

I wonder if they will need to raise the crane for the Alexander?

[spaustin]

Excellent restoration job on St. Patrick's Rectory (Brunswick Street)

http://66.media.tumblr.com/284447979324fbcdfc8167541c39e033/tumblr_oejzf3sxmK1tvjdq8o1_540.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson) (http://urbanhalifax.tumblr.com/)

They did a really nice job! Talking to the architect the other day and the windows were a real pain because they're all slightly mismatched in terms of size. They look the same, but they're different enough to make each one a customized fit. A lot of work.

Here's a before pic I took a few years ago
https://s13.postimg.org/qqn3a9gk7/pics_278.jpg

[Keith P.]

But they removed the heritage white aluminum storm door on the right and the heritage brick main entry alcove, replacing it with a glass box! And several mature heritage specimen trees are also among the missing.

Oh, the humanity! Where were the protesters marching in the streets? Odd I did not see a series of pieces by the CBC decrying the devastation.

[OldDartmouthMark]

They did a really nice job! Talking to the architect the other day and the windows were a real pain because they're all slightly mismatched in terms of size. They look the same, but they're different enough to make each one a customized fit. A lot of work.

Here's a before pic I took a few years ago
https://s13.postimg.org/qqn3a9gk7/pics_278.jpg

I agree, they did a nice job on it.

Thanks for the info regarding the windows. Sounds like back then the windows were made to fit, rather than the other way around.

[Jonovision]

The Canteen is moving from Founders Corner over to a building currently under renovation on Portland Street.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1376990025/the-canteen-on-portland

I assume the rest of the development will be apartments.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5644/29693594684_4d01cdb7ca_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MeVrc3)Canteen (https://flic.kr/p/MeVrc3) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

[OldDartmouthMark]

Glut of office space in Halifax drops prices (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1405987-glut-of-office-space-in-halifax-drops-prices)

Early next year, the Nova Centre is expected to put 300,000 square feet of office space onto the market in downtown Halifax, just as another 120,000 square feet of suburban office space opens up at Eon Square. In its third-quarter Halifax office market report which was released Friday, CBRE describes that as likely to have a significant impact.

“The market is already showing some signals of its struggle to absorb space this quarter, with a record 1.8 million square feet of vacant space in the inventory,” reads the report.

Even ahead of the opening of the Nova Centre, Halifax just isn’t absorbing all the new office space on the market.

In the past three months, roughly 12,000 square feet more of office space came onto the downtown and suburban Halifax market than was rented out, and the quarter before that saw a 31,500-square-foot surplus of office space.

[DT Hfx]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8621/30302187672_b5e9f3e3c0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NaGCFA)1583 Dresden Row (https://flic.kr/p/NaGCFA) by DwN~toWN Halifax (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143634414@N05/), on Flickr

1583 Dresden Row was just demolished. This is where CSS Insurance used to be. The lot has frontage on both Dresden Row & Queen.

[Dmajackson]

^That is the site for Dreden Row Lofts which was approved back in 2013. Designed by Geoff Keddy it is a 15m/5fl building with 8 residential units and 2 ground floor units that can be residential or commercial.

Design Review Committee Report (http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/drc/documents/ReportDRC71130911.pdf)

http://68.media.tumblr.com/1ea0b155bc74f9a61b7a0845d2bdbd5c/tumblr_ofa2e5UFJv1tvjdq8o1_500.png
Source: See link above. Hosted at urbanhalifax.tumblr.com

[DT Hfx]

Those lofts look fine and are certainly a big improvement over what was there. Considering the 3-year delay can we now assume the project is about to start?

[Dmajackson]

^There is a building permit for the site allowing for 9 residential units so it seems to match the 2013 proposal.

[Keith P.]

Do we have a thread for the terribly disappointing CENTRE PLAN (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57dbead9b8a79b34cba8c227/t/58080285f5e231054f7302b9/1476919952440/Urban+Structure.pdf)?

If not, perhaps one can be created. Urban planning at its worst.

[IanWatson]

Do we have a thread for the terribly disappointing CENTRE PLAN (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57dbead9b8a79b34cba8c227/t/58080285f5e231054f7302b9/1476919952440/Urban+Structure.pdf)?

If not, perhaps one can be created. Urban planning at its worst.

YES (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=221221)

Perhaps you can share your thoughts on that thread about why Centre Plan is so terrible...

[JET]

The Canteen is moving from Founders Corner over to a building currently under renovation on Portland Street.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1376990025/the-canteen-on-portland

I assume the rest of the development will be apartments.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5644/29693594684_4d01cdb7ca_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MeVrc3)Canteen (https://flic.kr/p/MeVrc3) by Jonovision23 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36229421@N02/), on Flickr

Interesting, so the modern part is what was a double driveway (with some space from the right side of the old Sun Sun building, which was odd sort of add ons) and the Sun Sun building has some nice historic rehab with a light blue main floor; I like the combination of the old and new, particularly that they maintained the old building. Things are looking good in the DDT. :tup: