Latest rendering for the as yet un-renamed WTCC. Source: TheStar Halifax
As others will have seen in the
Star, HRM's design review committee this week approved plans for the renovation of the former WTCC on Argyle Street. As discussed in this thread back in January, Passport Canada will occupy the ground floor of the building. There's no doubt for them and their clients this will be much more accessible than their current location on the 15th floor of the Maritime Centre. But it is such a lost opportunity to transform that block, connecting the commercial, hospitality and entertainment spaces on the rest of Argyle Street with Scotia Square. (Lost for at least ten years, because that's the lease Passport Canada is signing.)
You may recall that back in January, Harvey Architecture made its
preliminary approach to the design review committee, proposing a new streetwall along Argyle that would feature six commercial units totalling 10,000 square feet. Designer Steven Addison said they hoped the city would continue its transformation of Argyle from Prince Street down to Duke so that there'd be room for more lovely patios for the many patrons of those businesses. But that vision's long gone.
According to the recent Star story, the committee didn't like Armco's plan to lower the floor at the north end of the structure, which is now at grade at the corner of Duke and Argyle. Apparently Passport Canada insists on their space being on one level. Armco apparently said they wold not proceed with the exterior improvements without that and the committee went along. I rarely agree with Tim Bousquet but find it hard to discount his view that George Armoyan plays the municipality "
like a fiddle".
The pedway that links Scotia Square with Scotiabank Centre (but no further, god forbid) will remain but will retreat further into the interior of the building.
The existing structure:
