https://66.media.tumblr.com/15fe31df...jdq8o1_540.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

Looks like some progress is happening here. New signs are up. Rendering:

http://mrapartments.ca/wp-content/up...920x1080-1.jpg
mrapartments.ca

^Nice find. The rendering is by Nuvo Architecture.

I actually meant to post in this thread earlier this week. There was no renderings up at the time but I noticed they drained the pit, moved the utility shed and have an excavator on site after a year-long hiatus.

It should be noted the address is 5665 Roberts Street for this site now. The link below will take you to any photos I get of this project. As always I'll post major updates here. I live very close to this project so new photos will be common.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/f12973c0...269388c99f.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

The setup of the latest round of Agricola-area infill is really ideal. This building is close to Agricola but is not replacing older building stock around the street. It is even built around that small garage which, while it may not seem like an architectural marvel, adds some irregularity and character to the area.

One complaint I have is that the new buildings are mostly grey, with minimal detailing at street level. The renderings sometimes dress them up with murals or vibrant signs that may or may not materialize.

Not sure how much the city's planning rules match this vision but I think the best approach for Agricola is to reserve around 2/3 of the best buildings as character buildings that need to either be preserved as-is or expanded very carefully (e.g. add an extra storey in a similar style). The bottom third or so should be redeveloped into medium-scale buildings, and the sidestreets have a lot more flexibility. This would create a vibrant commercial strip along Agricola with some historic and locally-grounded character.

Man, that latest rendering has sure changed the look of this from the original low-end hipster cacophony-of-colors exterior finishes to Soviet-Bloc grays.

This project is going forward under the new Centre Plan approval process. The Design Advisory Committee will review the Level III Site Plan for 5665 Roberts Street next week.

Level III Site Plan Approval Application

Construction permit has been issued for this project.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/8bda82bf...5f1a5404d9.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

Another north end crane is on the way.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/b3c66440...b166b9f85d.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

Crane pieces are being installed today.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/7ff0a81f...1b761294f5.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

Looks like the crane from Innovation Towers. R&D’s big mobile crane went down the Bedford Highway into town tonight. I suspect it took down the Bedford crane as the smaller mobile crane sorted the parts on site.

I believe it is this crane too. Matches my photos of the Innovation crane and it has Potain branding.

It is the same developer as well, so it makes sense the contractors are moving from one project to the next.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7c3bd876_b.jpgMR 1 by Citizen Bane, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d66ee0ef_b.jpgMR 2 by Citizen Bane, on Flickr

After looking at this development more, I should correct my above post to say that this is a different developer than Innovation Towers. Not that it likely matters, but I also believe it is a different crane. The Innovation Towers crane has “Rapicon” branding on the cab and appears to be in storage in Burnside.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/6229f9d4...02c0e86871.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

This one is at grade now.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/1ad64a5b...30003c43c3.jpg
Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

I apparently really need to get a new photo of this project. The crane is coming down today.

From Developments HFX:

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...kQ&oe=6343C749

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...Cw&oe=63439B36