Development Rumours

[someone123]

Yes, it is confusing. The obvious development site there is across the street.

I think it would be possible to build some great new stuff on the Stubborn Goat block and preserve/enhance those buildings. How likely that is to happen is another question. That area's always had an eclectic mix of businesses and it does have a decent heritage inventory but if you look closely at the buildings a lot are in rough shape and some have deteriorated or been demolished over the years.

The fine-grained sites downtown often seem to sit empty for a long time, while mega developments go up next door. Not sure what can be done about this. Examples are the small parking lots next to the Wooden Monkey and on Market Street. I wonder if this is due to land generating capital returns and the city allowing land assembly over time as well as surface parking uses.

[kph06]

Originally Posted by someone123

I noticed a couple new (to me at least) projects up on dexel.ca. 1585 Grafton Street and Mitchell (is that for Mitchell Street?).

I think they've had all of Mitchell Street off Inglis under their ownership for a number of years now.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by kph06

I think they've had all of Mitchell Street off Inglis under their ownership for a number of years now.

Do you know which side(s)?

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by someone123

Yes, it is confusing. The obvious development site there is across the street.

I think it would be possible to build some great new stuff on the Stubborn Goat block and preserve/enhance those buildings. How likely that is to happen is another question. That area's always had an eclectic mix of businesses and it does have a decent heritage inventory but if you look closely at the buildings a lot are in rough shape and some have deteriorated or been demolished over the years.

The fine-grained sites downtown often seem to sit empty for a long time, while mega developments go up next door. Not sure what can be done about this. Examples are the small parking lots next to the Wooden Monkey and on Market Street. I wonder if this is due to land generating capital returns and the city allowing land assembly over time as well as surface parking uses.

Its seems the Stubborn Goat had a fire in the restaurants kitchen yesterday so depending on the Gods of Fire who knows what may happen with that site.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Its seems the Stubborn Goat had a fire in the restaurants kitchen yesterday so depending on the Gods of Fire who knows what may happen with that site.

The owner seems to anticipate reopening within 1-2 months.

More I think about it, it feels like it's almost got to be the other side of the street, despite the odd address. It's a large, cleared out redevelopment site, owned (I believe) by Dexel, where something has been anticipated for some time. Makes the most sense.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

More I think about it, it feels like it's almost got to be the other side of the street, despite the odd address. It's a large, cleared out redevelopment site, owned (I believe) by Dexel, where something has been anticipated for some time. Makes the most sense.

It could just be a typo.

I hope it is the old bunker site that gets developed soon. Dexel projects usually turn out well and have been getting nicer and nicer. The main worry is that more buildings might be cleared. It would be easy to write off Maxwell's Plum and the old KOD as disposable but they help establish the character of the area. A building that amplified that character rather than undermining it while adding more interest/density would be great. The sort of opportunity missed at the Mills.

[kph06]

Originally Posted by someone123

Do you know which side(s)?

I think literally all of it, both sides. Ace towing hard a yard there long ago, when they vacated I remember some materials from the Vertu suites was stored there.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by someone123

It could just be a typo.

The main worry is that more buildings might be cleared. It would be easy to write off Maxwell's Plum and the old KOD as disposable but they help establish the character of the area. A building that amplified that character rather than undermining it while adding more interest/density would be great. The sort of opportunity missed at the Mills.

Agree. The Plum building is almost two centuries old, too. It really ought to be preserved.

Apparently the fire damage at the Stubborn Goat was pretty significant, but if, as per the Herald story, they plan to reopen—presumably after some significant and expensive repairs and equipment replacement—that would seem to speak against any near-term redevelopment there.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Agree. The Plum building is almost two centuries old, too. It really ought to be preserved.

Apparently the fire damage at the Stubborn Goat was pretty significant, but if, as per the Herald story, they plan to reopen—presumably after some significant and expensive repairs and equipment replacement—that would seem to speak against any near-term redevelopment there.

Good time to have a fire when no person is injured. The next several months will not be kind to restaurants. 'Loss of income' insurance payments may be
helpful.

[Keith P.]

It seems clear that the Goat fire was accidental. Not too many arsonists start a fire in the chimney to have flames shooting out the top of it in the middle of the afternoon when staff are prepping in the kitchen for evening service.

After about 10 years of the "gastropub" business model it may be that the management might want to revisit the theme of the place especially if business has been declining. I think a reset to something different may be in the cards as a result of the opportunity to make changes now that extensive work needs to be done inside..

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by someone123

It would be easy to write off Maxwell's Plum and the old KOD as disposable but they help establish the character of the area. A building that amplified that character rather than undermining it while adding more interest/density would be great. The sort of opportunity missed at the Mills.

I shared an upstairs apartment in the KOD building as a starving medical student. Take my word for it, the building is disposable.

The only redeeming feature of the building is that it is an anchor on "Pizza Corner."

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I shared an upstairs apartment in the KOD building as a starving medical student. Take my word for it, the building is disposable.

The only redeeming feature of the building is that it is an anchor on "Pizza Corner."

The fossils among us will recall when it was the original location of Cleve's Sporting Goods. Bought my first pair of Converse Chuck Taylors there...sigh...

[someone123]

The small empty lot at Quinpool and Harvard is up for sale and can be yours for only $3.6M: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25233185/6321-quinpool-road-halifax-peninsula-halifax-peninsula

This site has been an empty lot for a long time.

[mleblanc]

Originally Posted by someone123

The small empty lot at Quinpool and Harvard is up for sale and can be yours for only $3.6M: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25233185/6321-quinpool-road-halifax-peninsula-halifax-peninsula

This site has been an empty lot for a long time.

Won't it need a lot of remediation after being a gas station?

[Jonovision]

In an article in the Herald today about Dartmouth Development Councillor Mancini talked about the Ocean Breeze neighbourhood next to Shannon Park being sold recently and looking to add significantly to the site. He quoted another 3000 units. Which is about what Shannon Park is looking at adding by itself.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

In an article in the Herald today about Dartmouth Development Councillor Mancini talked about the Ocean Breeze neighbourhood next to Shannon Park being sold recently and looking to add significantly to the site. He quoted another 3000 units. Which is about what Shannon Park is looking at adding by itself.

Article doesn't mention Dartmouth Crossing.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by Empire

Article doesn't mention Dartmouth Crossing.

Not a surprising omission for Saltwire. The Herald is a shadow of its former self, and its former self was never great.

[Dmajackson]

The former Need's Convenience at 182 Victoria Road, Dartmouth is being demolished. It's a 10'500 sq ft lot with frontage on Victoria and Frances Streets with corridor zoning. Could be a nice spot for mid-rise residential infill.

[kph06]

The Gottingen Staples site is for sale. Previously owned by Southwest.

2003 Gottingen Street - CBRE

[midasmull]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The former Need's Convenience at 182 Victoria Road, Dartmouth is being demolished. It's a 10'500 sq ft lot with frontage on Victoria and Frances Streets with corridor zoning. Could be a nice spot for mid-rise residential infill.

Or it could be a sizeable 100+ apartment development - the adjacent properties and land behind is owned by the same company giving a total area of 45k sf. With a max height of 14m, they could do a 4-5 storey building.