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From Nova Scotia Business Journal"

ECL announces major development for downtown Halifax print this article
EDITED BY STAFF, TRANSCONTINENTAL MEDIA
The Nova Scotia Business Journal

HALIFAX – ECL Developments Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited, today announced its plans for a state-of-the-art office development in Halifax’s downtown core. The proposed 22-storey development, to be named International Place, will be built with a focus on environmentally sustainable technologies, with a goal of attaining a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard.

With approximately 450,000 total square feet of hotel, retail and office capacity, International Place is expected to help satisfy current and projected demand for new Class A office space in Halifax’s CBD. The building will also accommodate tenant parking in an underground facility.

ECL retained internationally recognized Toronto-based architectural firm Zeidler Partnership Architects to ensure the design is respectful of history while bringing a sophisticated and modern structure to Halifax. The flatiron-inspired building, which combines soft lines of transparent glass throughout, will occupy a footprint of approximately 24,000 square feet at its base and each floor of Class A office space will have approximately 19,000 square feet of rentable floor space.

“We have worked hard to ensure this world class design is modern, iconic and respectful of the history that surrounds it,” said Donald Clow, president of ECL Developments Limited. “We feel this building represents not only the future of the downtown, but also hope its presence will help to increase economic activity by bringing more people to work, shop, eat, and explore the history and variety of downtown Halifax.”

Consistent with the existing development agreement for the site, updated development plans submitted today for the location known as the “triangle lands” at the north end of Granville Mall adjacent to Barrington Place, were a result of consultation with HRM staff.

“Beautiful and livable cities have a blend of modern and historic architecture, so we have sought input throughout the planning process to ensure we reflect this spirit, evolving the design by adjusting height, softening lines and seeking ways to complement the existing area,” concluded Clow. “This will be a landmark building.”

International Place will be ECL’s second major downtown development in recent years. In 2007, ECL completed the development of the Martello Condominiums located in downtown Halifax. – Staff