[Saint John] Uptown Thread - Page 87

cdnguys · #**1721** Posted **Nov 21, 2023, 11:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

AllNB says SableARC is the architect, both projects are going ahead concurrently, and they seem to be starting design. Feeling more confident. Spring starts?

I'm kind of interested in 115 Hazen now (the old Medical Arts building). Once St Vincent's goes through first and second rezoning reading, I might sniff around...

So basically an almost fully renovated street on the edge of a rejuvenating central area - that area will be a great choice to invest in. Prices won’t go lower that’s for sure

adamuptownsj · #**1722** Posted **Nov 21, 2023, 2:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

So basically an almost fully renovated street on the edge of a rejuvenating central area - that area will be a great choice to invest in. Prices won’t go lower that’s for sure

Yeah this will make both Cliff and Paddock genuinely appealing. Neither were ever Peters level bad, but Paddock has been going wild: the little reno at 22 Paddock sold for $455K (sure it's very nice but still!), someone bought the 29-31 Paddock lot for $49K recently, and I believe the last kind of shabby building, 17 Paddock, changed hands in 2021 and had scaffolding going up before I left on vacation in November.

Cliff is a little rougher but not terrible at all. I feel for the residents who have to deal with the regular... events... under St Vincent's. Peters is more of a wreck but hopefully this year's street reconstruction can spur some activity.

A little to the east, it would be great to see some infill develop along the west side of Dorchester instead of a bunch of inefficient parking lots. Same with the Union Street frontage of the Service Canada lot.

cdnguys · #**1723** Posted **Nov 22, 2023, 7:23 AM**

The unbuilt townhouses on Charlotte by Queen Sq - I noticed they are no longer on MLS. Anyone know if they sold or developer gave up? I know they were not going to build them unless pre sold.

darkharbour · #**1724** Posted **Nov 22, 2023, 2:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

The unbuilt townhouses on Charlotte by Queen Sq - I noticed they are no longer on MLS. Anyone know if they sold or developer gave up? I know they were not going to build them unless pre sold.

That looked like a great in-fill project but the prices were on the high side for a completely un-built development in SJ. I do hope it proceeds.

sailor734 · #**1725** Posted **Nov 22, 2023, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

That looked like a great in-fill project but the prices were on the high side for a completely un-built development in SJ. I do hope it proceeds.

I wonder if the more "in your face" homelessness/mental health/drug issues and property crimes are giving some people pause? I know of one couple who moved back to the burbs recently and another who looked at uptown but decided "no" for just these reasons.

It may not be PC to say so but large numbers of homeless or mentally ill or drug addicts (or people who suffer from all three) greatly impact an area's desirability as a place to live.

sailor734 · #**1726** Posted **Nov 22, 2023, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

That looked like a great in-fill project but the prices were on the high side for a completely un-built development in SJ. I do hope it proceeds.

Good point. I'm not sure SJ buyers have embraced pre-sales the way Vancouver or Toronto condo buyers do.

DyAm00394 · #**1727** Posted **Nov 27, 2023, 4:38 AM**

Telegraph Journal is reporting that Brunswick Square so far isn’t planned to be sold off as part of Slate Management’s plans to divest 40% of their portfolio. The company’s statement to them is:

Quote:

“Slate remains committed to keeping Brunswick Square a vibrant place to work, shop and stay”.

“We have an active pipeline of leasing opportunities for the spaces in Brunswick Square, which we are evaluating and discussing with prospective tenants, and we remain fully engaged in working with representatives from the city, Envision Saint John, as well as our partners in the private sector to bring new entrants into the Saint John market and ensure that existing businesses in Saint John are adequately supported.”

cdnguys · #**1728** Posted **Dec 3, 2023, 4:03 PM**

.

cdnguys · #**1729** Posted **Dec 3, 2023, 4:05 PM**

.

cdnguys · #**1730** Posted **Dec 3, 2023, 4:08 PM**

Wrong thread

DyAm00394 · #**1731** Posted **Dec 5, 2023, 7:35 PM**

Looks like they are now dismantling the Smythe Street substation. (Photo from Retail Talk & Share NB).

The ultimate plan is for new development on this parcel of waterfront land.

DyAm00394 · #**1732** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 4:04 PM**

My City Life posted online today that they are closing their uptown location due to Brunswick Square renovating to move Lawtons Drugs to the 2nd level. They said because of this there is no space for them anymore.

bridgeoftea · #**1733** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 4:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

My City Life posted online today that they are closing their uptown location due to Brunswick Square renovating to move Lawtons Drugs to the 2nd level. They said because of this there is no space for them anymore.

That's a shame. I always love poking into that store every couple of months.

cdnguys · #**1734** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 4:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

My City Life posted online today that they are closing their uptown location due to Brunswick Square renovating to move Lawtons Drugs to the 2nd level. They said because of this there is no space for them anymore.

No space for them? The place is 90% empty

sailor734 · #**1735** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 4:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

No space for them? The place is 90% empty

That was my first thought too.

darkharbour · #**1736** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 4:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor734

That was my first thought too.

Glad I wasn't the only one

DyAm00394 · #**1737** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

Glad I wasn't the only one

I thought the same when they said that. Maybe Slate Management actually finally has plans to address the other vacancies, so My City Life didn't get offered another space.

Update: They've responded to a question about why they could have just moved to another spot:

"we asked the same question. Apparently it's the start of a bigger picture for Brunswick Square. Rumor is some or all of the mall has been sold... we haven't been given the full story yet".

gtsoc · #**1738** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

I thought the same when they said that. Maybe Slate Management actually finally has plans to address the other vacancies, so My City Life didn't get offered another space.

Update: They've responded to a question about why they could have just moved to another spot:

"we asked the same question. Apparently it's the start of a bigger picture for Brunswick Square. Rumor is some or all of the mall has been sold... we haven't been given the full story yet".

Grocery store on level 1 and possible condos on levels 3-5

sailor734 · #**1739** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsoc

Grocery store on level 1 and possible condos on levels 3-5

Maybe but that's a big footprint for condos. How to you get outside walls/ windows for all the rooms? I understand footprint size is one of the big challenges for office building or commercial space conversions to residential. That and the needed plumbing for all those kitchens and bathrooms.

Grocery store on level one would certainly make sense.

NewIreland · #**1740** Posted **Dec 8, 2023, 7:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor734

Maybe but that's a big footprint for condos. How to you get outside walls/ windows for all the rooms? I understand footprint size is one of the big challenges for office building or commercial space conversions to residential. That and the needed plumbing for all those kitchens and bathrooms.

Grocery store on level one would certainly make sense.

Maybe the Delta is moving to the waterfront and they're converting the Brunswick Square property. I'm no engineer, but could they theoretically build down on the former commercial floors using existing Delta plumbing/electrical infrastructure?