The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

For a split second I thought you meant The Landmark down at the end of Sydney had started and I almost fell out of my chair.

Yeah, me too. I'm assuming this is that old church and rectory site on Broad St? Subsidized housing of some sort isn't it?

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

[IMG][/IMG]

That look like it's going to be a decent building. ....Unlike some of the other stuff getting thrown up.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

That look like it's going to be a decent building. ....Unlike some of the other stuff getting thrown up.

And there should eventually be 5 of them! They kinda remind me of some of the many buildings along the Bedford Highway heading in or out of Halifax.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

And there should eventually be 5 of them! They kinda remind me of some of the many buildings along the Bedford Highway heading in or out of Halifax.

Wouldn't it have been cool if they'd built 2 15 story building instead?.....or 1 30

[sailor734]

I've been doing some reading about timber frame multi unit buildings and soundproofing issues. From what i can tell they can be quiet but it requires specific building techniques and certain things being done or added during construction. (I'm assuming many at addition expense)

I wonder of all the 4-6 story buildings built recently or in the process of being built right how many had this done correctly?

[cdnguys]

The Markton 36 units (under construction)

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Chapel Hill Suites 48 units (under construction)

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Clark and Gondola 24 units (under construction)

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Holland Hills 48 units (Spring 2024 start)

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145 Hampton Rd 43 units (status unknown - anyone have info if or when they will start?)

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Across from Rothesay High 40 units (status unknown - anyone have info if approved, when start date is?)

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*** AE McKay appears to be building something at the end of Dobbin in Rothesay. Does anyone know if this is an apartment building, and if so, any info on it?

[darkharbour]

I’m glad Rothesay is finally embracing a few more high density projects, but the missing piece here is that the transportation links to the city aren’t scaling enough yet to handle this. The Comex system needs a lot more expansion, especially between KV and the East Side for example, otherwise the traffic problems are not going to get better.

The road network in KV also causes a lot of problems, the decades of subdivisions full of cul-de-sacs and looping roads that don’t meet has resulted in there only being two or three roads that have to handle all of the traffic at peak hours.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

I’m glad Rothesay is finally embracing a few more high density projects, but the missing piece here is that the transportation links to the city aren’t scaling enough yet to handle this. The Comex system needs a lot more expansion, especially between KV and the East Side for example, otherwise the traffic problems are not going to get better.

The road network in KV also causes a lot of problems, the decades of subdivisions full of cul-de-sacs and looping roads that don’t meet has resulted in there only being two or three roads that have to handle all of the traffic at peak hours.

I noticed a lot of the presentations to PAC, council and news outlets talk about their target market being seniors. Not sure if that lessens or increases the demand for transit. Nice to see density along that route 100

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I noticed a lot of the presentations to PAC, council and news outlets talk about their target market being seniors. Not sure if that lessens or increases the demand for transit. Nice to see density along that route 100

That's true, most of these are units designed to suit people who want to "age in place" and stay in their own communities, but as they leave houses to younger generations it still results in a larger population in the same neighbourhoods.

[sailor734]

Given demographics and property values I'm surprised Rothesay isn't seeing more proposals for higher end apartment buildings or upscale condo development.

One would think 50-60 something empty nesters selling homes for high six figures or even low 7's would be an attractive target market.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Given demographics and property values I'm surprised Rothesay isn't seeing more proposals for higher end apartment buildings or upscale condo development.

One would think 50-60 something empty nesters selling homes for high six figures or even low 7's would be an attractive target market.

Absolutely right it’s an attractive town/demographic to build for. I think developers in SJ are trying to attract them too, but Rothesay is pretty much self sufficient now.

[sailor734]

Interesting story from CBC on office buildings being converted to residential. Not sure what SJ's vacancy rate is but a nice condo with a harbour/bay view on a high floor in Brunswick Square tower or Brunswick House might be nice.

Was any of City Hall converted to residential? I was there the other day and noticed many of the floors were key card access only.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-1...ents-weworks-bankruptcy-threatens-worsen

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

MUCHO BIG NEWS -

I have it on excellent authority that St. Vincent's has been purchased by a New Brunswick-based private developer. I wish I knew more, but I do not.

A second source has told me the developer is from Moncton and is well-established, and confirmed the sale is nearly closed.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Interesting story from CBC on office buildings being converted to residential. Not sure what SJ's vacancy rate is but a nice condo with a harbour/bay view on a high floor in Brunswick Square tower or Brunswick House might be nice.

Was any of City Hall converted to residential? I was there the other day and noticed many of the floors were key card access only.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-1...ents-weworks-bankruptcy-threatens-worsen

The top eight floors- maybe more- either have been converted or are being converted.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

A second source has told me the developer is from Moncton and is well-established, and confirmed the sale is nearly closed.

Thankfully a Moncton developer lol. Might be finished by the time Steepleview is finished
There was an item on yesterday’s council agenda to remove restrictions on the property so it can be sold

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

A second source has told me the developer is from Moncton and is well-established, and confirmed the sale is nearly closed.

Some are wondering if it's Lafford. Would make sense since they are the ones building Three Sisters in Moncton and have purchased property in Fredericton earlier this year. Would be amazing if it's them, since they are quicker at getting developments built. If it's them hopefully they plan for more developments in SJ.

And like cdnguys mentioned, there was an item on the council meeting agenda this past Tuesday to remove conditions imposed on the property. Which I would assume is to allow the sale to finalize and for new development to happen.

[MonctonRad]

You guys can't have Lafford. We want him all to ourselves here in Moncton!!!

[adamuptownsj]

Has Lafford done many restoration projects? Believe me, I have faith in them, but this is a whole different kettle of fish than new builds. It could be someone with more experience in that sector. Not familiar with Moncton to know if Ashford or others have it either.

From what I heard, the interior needs to be completely gutted after more than a decade without heat. No serious water damage AFAIK. And it HAS to be high-end unless they want to start ripping out concrete/brick/cinderblock interior walls and making very costly structural alterations: 10' wide hallways, cavernous classrooms. If I'm not mistaken the number of units proposed over the years has always been right around 36, no matter whose plan it was.

I will be thrilled if it can be saved from the wrecking ball.

Some random thoughts about the property:
-Plenty of parking. I wonder if they enclose the parking entrance to discourage loitering?
-Will the gym (and the rest of the western extension?) be demolished for a future project, or will it be incorporated as a cool amenity? It's a prominent corner. The 'old wing' occupies 17,000sf and the 'new,' 10,000. This would reopen the windows on the west side of the old wing too. No idea how these are divided inside. Any ladies of a certain age here familiar with it?
-SJ will likely bump street reconstruction/sewer separation for Cliff up their list, between this and Steepleview. Peters and Paddock got the treatment recently.
-This would shockingly leave Cliff fully built out, barring a single narrow vacant lot. Saint John should find a builder for the large and mostly disused Paddock lot. Would be a good place for mixed-income infill.

[MonctonRad]

The restoration specialists in Moncton are Dick Carpenter and Heritage Developments. Their most recent project was Moncton High School. They also did Heritage Court (the old Eaton's catalogue warehouse).

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

You guys can't have Lafford. We want him all to ourselves here in Moncton!!!

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