From the Chronicle Herald:
Pushing the envelope: heritage advocates ponder sale of Dartmouth Post Office
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On Wednesday, the site was listed by Canada Post with international corporate real estate firm JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) and its Atlantic Canada partner, brokers Partners Global, which is taking offers from prospective buyers until May 7. They are advertising the property for potential mid- to high-rise development “with the former Dartmouth Post Office, a municipal registered heritage building that is to be honoured and preserved through the ensuing redevelopment.”
Although she couldn’t be specific, Partners Global broker and senior vice president Connie Amero describes the sale as “a very exciting project” and says there’s already been interest in the property which is advertised “for multi-residential, commercial or a combination of uses.”
“The developer would have to do their research, based upon the current zoning and come to an understanding of what can be done with the property,” says Amero, who points out that regulations surrounding the Dartmouth Post Office’s heritage property status and the municipality’s Central Plan.
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District 5 - Dartmouth Centre councillor Sam Austin is more optimistic about the future of the Dartmouth Post Office. He played a crucial role in having the building designated as a heritage property when Canada Post moved its operations to nearby King’s Wharf in February, 2020, and he believes the buyer will be able to come up with a plan that respects the historic structure while making good use of the site’s surrounding area like the parking lot, loading bay and a later addition that doesn’t have the same historic value.
“We have not really had any demolitions of a registered heritage building in Halifax-Dartmouth in many, many years now. Because for the most part, once they’re registered, whoever’s buying the property buys it with that expectation in mind,” says Austin.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind (building) for sure. ... You could redevelop the bottom end of (the site) around the parking lot and make it a lovely combination of old and new. I know change is scary, but to me this is a good opportunity.”
Austin says the post office was a facility that became outmoded and too big for its latter-day use as our methods of long-distance communication have changed. Meanwhile, Jones tries to share the councillor’s optimism that the one-of-a-kind building can be preserved for a new use that fits the neighbourhood’s evolving character as a trendy and welcoming place to live, but he fears the buyer may simply wait out the three-year limit on its heritage designation and bring in the wrecking ball when the time is up.
“I’ve had to say the words ‘before it’s too late’ too many times advocating for the protection of heritage buildings in downtown Dartmouth,” sighs Jones.
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As far as I'm concerned the building is one of the few jewels remaining in downtown Dartmouth... or perhaps all of Dartmouth... and I'm hoping for a good outcome that essentially preserves the building with upgrades to make it functional in its new role - but that are respectful to the heritage of the structure.
I don't imagine it will happen in this case, but the fact that Halifax still allows heritage buildings to be demolished after a 3-year waiting period is almost unbelievable to me...
At one point I had a glimmer of hope that the clock tower section would be reinstated as in the old photo... but deep down I always knew it was never going to happen. Anyhow... here's hoping for the best!
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