Sheraton Casino Hotel, Karlsen's Wharf
 

I have not heard anything about this except this link on a message board:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=769421

I have not been able to find the reference on the Starwood web site as yet.

Interesting that Sheraton got out of their original property and apparently plans to build new, right next door. If it is of decent size and has some height it could be a very good thing for Halifax. Sheraton is a good operator and we need a big hotel with substantial meeting space, not another one of these 150-room jobs everyone seems to be building.

I poked around a bit on their website but didn't see anything.

So the idea is that they will be putting up a new hotel somewhere around Karlsen's Wharf, which if I am not mistaken is currently more or less a derelict pile of gravel just North of Purdy's Wharf?

I wonder how far along these plans are. December 2009 for an opening date implies that they plan to begin construction in a matter of months. If it's true it's great news. I wonder how large the hotel would be and what kind of form it would take? I think the city really needs some new landmark buildings along the waterfront.. the casino certainly does not qualify as one.

Yes and no. Yes, it's north of the Casino (right beside it)... but it's not a derelict pile of gravel. The building was demolished and the lot was paved. It's currently surrounded by a tall, expensive looking glossy black fence with DND signs on it.

I need some help figuring out where this is.
Is this the crappy little wharf just north of the casino? Is there room for a hotel there?

Yes. It's right beside the Casino. There is a crappy wharf and a big empty fenced in lot covered in asphalt.

Google maps still shows the old Karlen's building.

And to answer your question, no... I would say there is not enough room there for a Hotel. Not without demolishing the Naval Reserves building. In any case, it appears that the land is now owned by DND.

Seeing that photo I have to agree that there isn't enough land there. I wonder where that report originated?

It's neat that the photo was taken just in time to see a Harbour Hopper taking to the water.

If this isn't just conjecture, a development at that location would likely extend the boardwalk.

This one excites me alot because it will help the transition into the North end before Cogswell even comes down and replace a pretty shitty looking piece of property with a building.

Lets hope its something modern to complement Purdy's and not another piece of faux heritage.

I don't think this is real. That whole thread started without any reference other than "I saw on their website that a new casino hotel was opening in Dec. 2009". They did not provide a link, and when I went to the starwood website and looked at the list of new hotels due to open, there was nothing listed for Halifax. If it is real, then the only land available I can think of is that tiny lot beside the Casino... which is a) too small and b) owned by the Department of National Defense. Anyway... it would be cool... yes... but I think we need some solid info on this rumor.

This is not real, at least not for that location. Takeo's instincts are correct. DND purchased and demolished Karlsen's wharf as part of their secure perimeter initiative; partly in response to fears of terrorist attacks on US naval vessels visiting the port facilities. There is also a new waterside fence marking an exclusion zone about 100 meters or so out in the harbour. Interestingly enough the fencing was finally put into place but extensively damaged over the fall and winter by a series of storms (which it was designed to withstand). I believe the fence has been temporarily removed and will be replaced by the contractor under warranty.

I also scoured the Starwood website for info on this, thinking perhaps there was a mix-up with another Halifax in the US or overseas. Nothing at all. The only possibility I can think of is that there is yet another sale/naming change of the current Harbourfront Marriott and/or Casino Nova Scotia. I think the Marriott is doing fine, but I know the Casino's ownership is having trouble.

I had been wondering what happened to that fence, after it mysteriously disappeared over winter...