CF Champlain is rapidly filling up and will soon be near 100% capacity. A lot of the new retailers are larger format ones like Aritzia, and even pre-existing retailers like Sport Chek are expanding their footprint. Pretty soon it will be difficult for new retailers wanting to gain access to the city to find space in the mall. There are many retail plazas in the city, but not all of these retailers belong in retail strips.
Is there a possibility that we may see a renaissance in downtown retail, either in "High Street" locations with urban street frontage, or, within a small enclosed downtown shopping centre?
In particular, I think there could be a lot of opportunity in the Downing/Ashford block. There is definitely going to be a dense urban population on this block, and a need for a small urban format grocery store and pharmacy (at least). Could Downing/Ashford also include street front retail and a small urban format mall for national chains frozen out of Champlain Place?
I could see it happening. It could definitely help in making the core a destination again for residents of the entire city...........
This is very true MonctonRad. I think that with all the new units and the amount of people that will be moving in this is a good plan. People will want places to shop, eat etc. so the demand will be there. I can see this in the next 5-10 years.
This is very true MonctonRad. I think that with all the new units and the amount of people that will be moving in this is a good plan. People will want places to shop, eat etc. so the demand will be there. I can see this in the next 5-10 years.
Not to mention 800-900 new Lafford units just a 3 minute walk away. And likely even more that we don't know about yet.
Some kind of an enclosed retail node (mini-mall) as part of a large development would create excellent synergy. Retail/commercial being good for the residents, and residential being good for the businesses.
It would also go a long way to creating some much needed vibrancy downtown.
Once the majority of the large projects are completed in15-20 years and there's a nice walkable flow from Assumption to St George Moncton will have a DT area that rivals Halifax!(in scale/size)
Moncton will have a massive, vibrant Dowtown that truly separates itself from Freddy/SJ. IMO our DT will be the envy of the province.
Population should be between 250k-300k at that point, the increased density will make DT "Alive".
Speaking of the Tomato Building, the first floor of the building is now complete. This is useful as it aids in assessing the footprint of the building, and imagining the effect the building will eventually have on the streetscape at Main & Vaughan Hervey.
I know people deride the stunted six storey height of the building, but, there is no question this building will still have a big impact on the density and built form in this neighbourhood. In fact, I really think the "tomato lady" and her ilk. have really only achieved a pyrrhic victory for their efforts. Their neighbourhood will remain forever changed, and this change will only progress as the rumoured 10 storey building across the street in the Junction Urban Village gets built.
You do not create urbanity and achieve densification by building only 30-50 storey buildings. The true character of a city is created at ground level and within the pedestrian realm. Residential towers are impressive, but tightly packed urbanity is what truly creates a city. Many of the great cities of Europe are defined by 6-8 storey residential buildings with ground level retail/commercial. We should remember this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NBNYer
Indeed. The whole controversy has highlighted the absurdity of some of their claims (like the tomato issue) to many who had previously no interest in urban form and planning issues. Particularly at a time of dire need for more housing. Also, having local officials commenting on the situation and linking rising housing costs to limited housing availability has also helped to improve general public knowledge and interest in the matter.
I agree that the intersection already feels improved and way more urban coming from the east on Main Street, even with just with a single story built. It’ll be interesting to see it get taller.
Taken from Tide & Boar just an hour ago. The crane for the Three Sisters also visible in the far right background. Indeed I joke about this, but I'm still happy there's development in this corner.
6 stories at 10' per story will still be significant impact because the building doors are feet away from the sidewalks. Look at the background 3 story ThielGreene corner building, imagine double height at 6 stories.
Don't get me wrong, I would prefer to see a tomato building at 10 stories.
CF Champlain is rapidly filling up and will soon be near 100% capacity. A lot of the new retailers are larger format ones like Aritzia, and even pre-existing retailers like Sport Chek are expanding their footprint. Pretty soon it will be difficult for new retailers wanting to gain access to the city to find space in the mall. There are many retail plazas in the city, but not all of these retailers belong in retail strips.
Is there a possibility that we may see a renaissance in downtown retail, either in "High Street" locations with urban street frontage, or, within a small enclosed downtown shopping centre?
In particular, I think there could be a lot of opportunity in the Downing/Ashford block. There is definitely going to be a dense urban population on this block, and a need for a small urban format grocery store and pharmacy (at least). Could Downing/Ashford also include street front retail and a small urban format mall for national chains frozen out of Champlain Place?
I could see it happening. It could definitely help in making the core a destination again for residents of the entire city...........
They should have kept Highfield Square open and kept the coliseum. HS would be booming right now with retailers waiting in line to get in. So busy they would need to upgrade to a 2nd story. But no, they had to build this big white elephant!
Perhaps you could even convince some stores to relocate to a downtown mall. Shoppers on Canada street/Vaughan Harvey could be a good example of this. Other popular stores could potentially have multiple locations, one in both malls. Instead of having 1 giant 20,000 sq ft store, perhaps a retailer would consider multiple 10,000 sq ft stores.
Other hypothetical stores for a downtown mall:
Old Navy, Sports Expert, Decathlon & Apple.
I think St. John’s two malls could provide an idea I what we might expect for multiple malls in Moncton.
They should have kept Highfield Square open and kept the coliseum. HS would be booming right now with retailers waiting in line to get in. So busy they would need to upgrade to a 2nd story. But no, they had to build this big white elephant!
I know that you are being facetious and ironic, but, sadly, there are some people out there who would nod their heads and say “yup, darn tootin’”.
They should have kept Highfield Square open and kept the coliseum. HS would be booming right now with retailers waiting in line to get in. So busy they would need to upgrade to a 2nd story. But no, they had to build this big white elephant!
If the city had not built the Avenir centre, a lot of the buildings, particularly in the western side of downtown, would never have been built.
One would have to think that 1222 Main St (that empty shell of a building beside the Avenir) would be a great candidate for at least 2 levels of retail. It is within walking distance of all of the new apartment buildings and all.
That building has intriguing potential as a hotel/retail hotspot.
One would have to think that 1222 Main St (that empty shell of a building beside the Avenir) would be a great candidate for at least 2 levels of retail. It is within walking distance of all of the new apartment buildings and all.
That building has intriguing potential as a hotel/retail hotspot.
Its not going to happen but my pie in the sky idea for that building would be to have it become a multi level playdium or rec room development. With Avenir Centre, bunker golf bar, the Ian fowler oval and event stage, and multiple hotels in the area I love the idea of this section of downtown being a mini "entertainment district". This entire area is now heavily featured during the Santa Clause parade and the annual NYE Celebration. We also have MonctonRads idea of an aquatic centre nearby as well
Unfortunately its far more likely to see a playdium or rec room setup in one of the suburban retail nodes as a traffic generator with lots of surface parking.
I would really love to know how actively Crombie REIT is marketing 1222 Main, or, if Crombie has their own plans for the property, and are just waiting for the stars to align before proceeding with their own plans.
I can't imagine it is their long term interests to let the property lie fallow. There are annual property taxes to be paid, and, I heard there was a copper theft from the building not too long ago. I wonder if there have been other acts of vandalism???
For all we know, Crombie could be working on a plan for this building as we speak. So much happens behind the scenes, away from public view.
I hope that when they take action, that they don't just focus on the building itself. The whole area around it needs to be redesigned. There's useable space between it and the Avenir center that they could acquire, and incorporate it into the design.
There's also the old telegraph building that needs to go, and the huge (mostly unused) parking lot behind the building.
I don't think Crombie will convert this property into anything entertainment related, but residential would be my guess. Street level retail/commercial would surely be part of the plan. Coffee shop, convenience store, restaurants, pub, etc.
The building itself could even have a 3-4 floor hotel and the rest of the floors as rental units.
Prev
The crane for the Three Sisters also visible in the far right background. Indeed I joke about this, but I'm still happy there's development in this corner.
Linear Mode
