Development Rumours

[phrenic]

Photo from Haliguy, http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=386681

Thanks for the info, guys. If they were originally planning on having this up and going by the fall of 2006 then I would imagine there have been major issues...

Its too bad though, that building would look mightly spiffy in that spot.

[someone123]

I think that development was also proposed by the same developer who ran into problems with the South Street building.

Either way, the story illustrates just how ridiculous zoning can be. If you can build a 10 storey school as-of-right, why can't you build a residential building? Why is it that people can kill or delay a project because they want to maintain personal views from their two storey house across an empty lot were never promised and didn't exist before buildings on the site were torn down?

[sdm]

Originally Posted by someone123

I think that development was also proposed by the same developer who ran into problems with the South Street building.

Either way, the story illustrates just how ridiculous zoning can be. If you can build a 10 storey school as-of-right, why can't you build a residential building? Why is it that people can kill or delay a project because they want to maintain personal views from their two storey house across an empty lot were never promised and didn't exist before buildings on the site were torn down?

Yeah this is the same developer who's building is being auctioned on South Street.
Likely he will sell the land and let someoen else continue on.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Hydrostone Place is already under construction. I havn't been by the site in a while, but I would guess they are probably working on the 4thish floor.

Is this the one on Isleville and Russell Sts across from Oland's, the old Harding Medical site?

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Is this the one on Isleville and Russell Sts across from Oland's, the old Harding Medical site?

That's the one. This isn't great architecture by any stretch...but on the other hand its not the ugliest thing I've seen in the city either. At least its not one of those "Highfield Park" wood framed monstrosities that seem to pop up all over the place.

As for Amalthea Place, I believe that the same developer is mixed up in the South Street property. But aren't they the developers of Armoury Square as well?

[worldlyhaligonian]

The white houses in the foreground could clearly make way for another development like Armoury Square. That would fill that corner of the commons in well if Alamathea ever happens.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

There's a lot of potential for development around the Commons. It makes sense to put the big buildings next to the big open space.

There's a parking lot next to the amouries that would be nice to have filled in. Also could replace homes with mid or high rise.

[someone123]

I can think of a few empty/underused lots around the Commons:

-empty lot at Cunard and Agricola
-auto repair (or something) next to the Armouries
-Amalthea site
-empty site next to the Holiday Inn on Quinpool (not facing Commons but close)

Those vinyl siding-covered houses are also an eyesore.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

The white houses in the foreground could clearly make way for another development like Armoury Square. That would fill that corner of the commons in well if Alamathea ever happens.

I agree with you, but I'm not sure our Citadel loving heritage friends would take very well to losing the view of the commons from the Citadel. I'm sure they feel it should remain one contiguous open-space. Just look at how much they complained when they lost their view of the Esso Refinery.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Lol, I can't even comprehend how Purdy's Wharf actually happened, given the climate of resistance towards all change that exists now.

The issue as I see it is this... there is nobody really standing up for developers and every project is evaluated simply upon how tall it is.

I'm sorry, but that isn't cutting it, especially when alot of small scale "Lebanese Palaces" go up everywhere.


And yes, I am being negative because my hope is that I will be suprised with Halifax in the next 5 years.

Centennial and UG will be huge for the city, especially that end of downtown. Its the waiting that is killing me, and these projects are really the start as I would like to see it.

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Lol, I can't even comprehend how Purdy's Wharf actually happened, given the climate of resistance towards all change that exists now.

Indeed, or even how they managed to get away with adding on to Maritime Centre...

[someone123]

I think the obstructionism is really something that came up in the 90s. There was very little development for a while so when it started up again there was a lot of opposition. In the 80s given the amount of development I would imagine that it simply became the "norm". Perspectives have shifted.

I've noticed a reverse shift take place over the last 10 years or so. Some shorter (<= 12 floor) buildings that would have been considered a big deal in the 1990s have gone by unnoticed today. If the United Gulf towers are built other proposed towers will likely have an easier time.

I think the proposal at South Park/Brenton Pl will see a more favourable reaction than it would have seen, say, 5 years ago, because the Martello and Paramount have gone up nearby and neither one has caused major issues as far as I can tell.

[skyscraper_1]

Does anyone know what is being developed on the corner of Wyse and Boland in Dartmouth?

[someone123]

From the HRM website: http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist...ts/May2007.pdf

A bunch of developments are described in this newsletter:

1. 194 townhouses are being built off Yorshire Avenue by
Banc Developments. Most will have attached garages and
the developer indicates the cost will be around $210 to $230
thousand per dwelling. Banc Developments is also applying to
build four condominiums with a total of 226 units. These will
have to be approved by Community Council through a
Development Agreement. A public information meeting on
these units is scheduled for May 2nd at Harbourview School.

2. Close to 120 housing units and a 44-unit condominium are
being built in Willow Ridge off Lancaster Drive. The second
phase is underway and housing construction may start later
this summer. There has been no application as yet for the new
Baptist Church.

3. A 60-unit apartment building was approved by Community
Council off Boland Road to be built by Killam Properties. This
building will back onto Scotia Court. Construction is expected
to start this year.

4. The Notting Park development at the corner of Boland Road
and Wyse Road being built by Arsenal Developments was
given fi rst reading on April 5th by Community Council and a
public hearing was scheduled for May 3rd. The public hearing
is advertised in the newspapers on Saturdays and letters are
mailed out in the general vicinity. This proposal consists of two
multiple unit dwellings, one three- and one four-story, both
with ground fl oor commercial use and a total of 24
apartments and one six-story, 72-unit apartment building.
5. An application was received from W.M. Apartments Ltd
to permit a 68-unit apartment building at 249/251 Windmill
Road. This building is proposed to be located between the
existing building and the railroad tracks. A public information
meeting was advertised and held on April 2nd at the
Northbrook Community Centre to get feedback from the
community on this application. While the zoning on the land
is R4 and permits the development of an apartment building,
the application has to be approved by Community Council
through a development Agreement.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Has work resumed at the ill-fated St. James Place?

[sdm]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Has work resumed at the ill-fated St. James Place?

Auction is Nov 5th, so i would imagine negative.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Anybody know how much work (in terms of time) is left on the building?

[Jonovision]

There was an add in the paper on saturday from United Gulf. They own the old YMCA site in Dartmouth on lake banook. They had at one point talked about 2 12 story condo buildings, but we havnt heard anything in a few years. They are hosting a meeting monday night at the helen creighton room in the alderney library at 7pm to give an update one the plans for the site.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

There was an add in the paper on saturday from United Gulf. They own the old YMCA site in Dartmouth on lake banook. They had at one point talked about 2 12 story condo buildings, but we havnt heard anything in a few years. They are hosting a meeting monday night at the helen creighton room in the alderney library at 7pm to give an update one the plans for the site.

As I recall their original 12-storey proposal was shouted down by the locals for being (wait for it) "TOO TALL!!!".

It'll be interesting to see what alternative they have come up with.

[someone123]

Yes, I think the towers supposedly were going to knock people over in their canoes or something, and cause algae growth by casting shadows (because, as we all know, plant life thrives on darkness).