General Updates and News

[bartekci]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I always liked the design of that building. I was unaware that the Red Cross had relocated. Where are they now? And what is the proposed use of this site?

This will be the location of the new Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre: https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/governmen...r-red-cross-property-from-halifax-for-1/

Looks like it'll be a nice, standout building plus improved public space.

[teddifax]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Better be. The obstructionists should move aside, municipal law has no teeth!

Most people think the lack of housing is the government's fault... I guess it is indirectly by allowing these folks to shut everything down for 20 years!

I would love to see a cancellation or drastic modification to the view planes bylaw.... The only one that should have ever existed was out the mouth of the harbour.... with those gone, the sky is the limit!!!!!!!! Bring on the true skyscrapers!!!! Please let this happen.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Better be. The obstructionists should move aside, municipal law has no teeth!

Most people think the lack of housing is the government's fault... I guess it is indirectly by allowing these folks to shut everything down for 20 years!

I would suggest it's largely a result of many DIRECT actions by all 3 levels of government to limit supply while pumping demand. It's nice to see some steps finally being taken to effect positive change.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

It appears that the spot left vacant by Steak and Stein may be in the midst of a remodel for a new tenant.

20231018_125156 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

[HarbingerDe]

Originally Posted by teddifax

I would love to see a cancellation or drastic modification to the view planes bylaw.... The only one that should have ever existed was out the mouth of the harbour.... with those gone, the sky is the limit!!!!!!!! Bring on the true skyscrapers!!!! Please let this happen.

Even if the view planes don't get canceled, it looks like almost the entirety of the new Cogswell District just happens to exist outside of the view planes.

https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/fil...ssions/Map7-HalifaxCitadelViewPlains.pdf

I hope every developer that ultimately ends up purchasing land there pushes for more height, beyond the 90 meters even, and I hope the province steps in to approve it because Lord knows the council won't.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by HarbingerDe

I hope every developer that ultimately ends up purchasing land there pushes for more height, beyond the 90 meters even, and I hope the province steps in to approve it because Lord knows the council won't.

I believe they will still be under the ramparts rule so will be quite limited. It seems like a very poor trade-off for the city. Arguably worse than most of the viewplanes that protect views of actual things instead of tiny segments of sky as seen from one location.

It's interesting in that it doesn't show up as a line item in the budget but imposing height limits on municipally-owned land has a cost. I would guess that if regional council had to vote to spend $5M or something to impose the ramparts rule on the Cogswell area it would be more controversial.

[teddifax]

Maybe the NS Government new rules will override the height restrictions.

[HalifaxRetales]

It is being split into two units and I know one is PetValu

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

It appears that the spot left vacant by Steak and Stein may be in the midst of a remodel for a new tenant.

20231018_125156 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

[bartekci]

Well balanced article on the struggles Halifax is facing with its boom, as well as the highlights of its growth. I do appreciate the "next Boston" moniker

https://financialpost.com/feature/halifa...1d42851-15bc-47f6-8fee-22f53d23808a/amp/

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

The provincial $8m loan program with up to $25k forgivable portion is probably not a bad thing but it does bring to mind that there have been many potential homes lost that developers would have built for free if not for towers having been lopped-off by multiple floors in city council's efforts to cultivate nimby-ism to garner votes.

[mleblanc]

Starting to see the new units in 1533 Barrington St. aka Freemasons Hall appear online. I'm conflicted on this one. On one hand, more units downtown is a great thing. On the other, this may be the most horrendous remodelling of a prominent historical building I've ever seen. The way they split the floors... ugh. Unit listings here and here

[someone123]

Originally Posted by mleblanc

Starting to see the new units in 1533 Barrington St. aka Freemasons Hall appear online. I'm conflicted on this one. On one hand, more units downtown is a great thing. On the other, this may be the most horrendous remodelling of a prominent historical building I've ever seen. The way they split the floors... ugh. Unit listings

I am sure people who live in the city have a better feel for this but it seems to me that while there have been some improvements in quality of heritage use in some new developments, there doesn't seem to have been a boost in the heritage budget to match the increase in economic vibrancy and population growth in the city. Around Barrington there's been an explosion of new construction and land values have gone way up but some of the historic remodels are so-so. I wonder how NFB will eventually look.

Some very prominent historic buildings (and new developments) have empty storefronts too. Partly that may be covid and "teething" issues around construction (adding density is eventually a plus but construction sites can be bad for nearby commercial uses).

The Green Lantern redo does seem nice, and I'm optimistic about some other projects like the Elmwood, Waverley Inn, and College St.

The Pacific Building looks really bad. If you look at even some of the decently preserve buildings on Barrington like the buildings around Prince Street they're not that great.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by someone123

The Green Lantern redo does seem nice, and I'm optimistic about some other projects like the Elmwood, Waverley Inn, and College St.

Overall I agree that the bar for what we expect out of heritage restorations is too low, though I do genuinely think the Elmwood and especially the Waverley look especially promising.

[Dmajackson]

Interesting renovation permit submitted for NELSON PLACE

Mixed Use & Commercial Building Permit - Renovation - In Review - 5675 SPRING GARDEN RD, HALIFAX - $10'675'000 - Mixed Use - Residential & Other Use(s) - Retail Use - 80 Units - 8 Floors - To convert the existing Commercial building to residential, commercial tenants main floor to remain.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Overall I agree that the bar for what we expect out of heritage restorations is too low, though I do genuinely think the Elmwood and especially the Waverley look especially promising.

The good thing is that a lot of those building seem basically stable now so it's possible to improve them in the future. But it does feel like heritage progress on Barrington is a bit stuck lately.

What do people think of the modern-style reno for the top 2 floors of the Starfish-owned property next to the Roy?

Another one that stands out to me is the old theatre entrance next to the Green Lantern. That is a nice looking brick facade in older pictures but is now stripped down and covered in metal siding (I think it used to be painted cinder block).

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Below are some pics taken yesterday of the old nunnery (I think that's what it was) on the corner of Normandy and High streets in the far north end of the peninsula. I haven't heard anything about this project...just happened to drive by yesterday.


20231024_122337 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr


20231024_122442_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr


20231024_122446_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr


20231024_122534_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

[Keith P.]

That's kind of out of the way, but I've always liked that area. Those might be good places to live.

ETA: I just noticed the thick layer of fiberglass insulation visible around some of the window openings. That is some serious cold protection retrofit.

[Dmajackson]

Demolition Permits Issued;

58 LAKECREST DRIVE, DARTMOUTH. This is in the centre of 'The Village on Main'.

62 THISTLE STREET, DARTMOUTH. This is only zoned ER-2 but it is a large lot (~17'000 sq ft).

Building Permits Issued;

Mixed Use & Commercial Building Permit - New Building - Issued - 513 HERRING COVE RD, HALIFAX - $5'000'000 - Dwelling - Multiple Units - Residential Use - 62 Units - 4 Floors - Scope of work: construction of new 5 storey multi-unit residential building, with parking garage. 62 units in mix of 2 bedroom and Studio.

Mixed Use & Commercial Building Permit - New Building - Issued - 2445 BRUNSWICK STREET, HALIFAX - $11'000'000 - Dwelling - Multiple Units - Residential Use - 38 Units - 4 Floors - Construct Multi-Unit Dwelling This is the Hope Cottage Rapid Housing project

Building Permit Submitted;

Mixed Use & Commercial Building Permit - New Building - In Review - 1 CIRCASSION DRIVE, COLE HARBOUR - $5'800'000 - Dwelling - Multiple Units - Residential Use - 18 Units - 3 Floors - "New 18 unit apartment building for affordable housing through Dartmouth Housing. PLANAPP 2023-00339 (formerly Case 24496): Development Agreement 1 Circassion Dr, Cole Harbour"

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

I see this morning on Viewpoint that a rather sad looking old building on the east side of Fern Lane next to Colonial Honda has a pending offer. The asking price is $1,150,000.00. My first thought was that Steele must be assembling more land though, I suppose it could be someone on Agricola Street doing the same.

[someone123]

I'm curious how the Hope Cottage project turns out. The rendering showed a historic rowhouse kind of design, which could be good or bad depending on execution.

The budgets are a bit funny. $11M for 38 units for Hope Cottage (in what looks like a fairly small building, but maybe it's a bit bigger than it seems due to the hill) and $5M for 62 units on Herring Cove Rd.