[Dartmouth] Dartmouth Shopping Centre | ? M | ? FL | Demolition

[Dmajackson]

There is demolition fencing going up around Dartmouth Shopping Centre between Shopper's Drug Mart and No Frills.

There are plans known for a large mixed-use development on the site. We don't have specifics other than it will be multiple buildings of up to 40-storeys and is being developed by Cresco.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

There is demolition fencing going up around Dartmouth Shopping Centre between Shopper's Drug Mart and No Frills.

There are plans known for a large mixed-use development on the site. We don't have specifics other than it will be multiple buildings of up to 40-storeys and is being developed by Cresco.

That view coming across the MacDonald from Halifax is going to be insane in 5 years!

[ArchAficionado]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

That view coming across the MacDonald from Halifax is going to be insane in 5 years!

Dartmouth could soon become HRM's "La Defense" where development flocks to that region where zoning isn't so restrictive.

What I really see at the best-case scenario for the future is that these "future growth nodes" could become areas of sufficiently elevated density that they map usefully to a potential connection by a light-rail system in the medium term future. The powers that be should be looking into this now and trying to plan for things like assembling property rights along corridors so that such a system could be efficiently designed and implemented in a decade or so from now.

I've been thinking a lot about this topic of late and intend to use what knowledge I have as an armchair urbanist and structural engineer by trade to produce a nice conceptual map / prospectus for such a system, if members here would be interested in such a thing!

[Mr. Hunt]

I took a few photos this afternoon:







Domino's has a sign up indicating they are permanently closed; Subway is closed but no signage.

[MastClimberPro]

Originally Posted by archaficionado

dartmouth could soon become hrm's "la defense" where development flocks to that region where zoning isn't so restrictive.

What i really see at the best-case scenario for the future is that these "future growth nodes" could become areas of sufficiently elevated density that they map usefully to a potential connection by a light-rail system in the medium term future. The powers that be should be looking into this now and trying to plan for things like assembling property rights along corridors so that such a system could be efficiently designed and implemented in a decade or so from now.

I've been thinking a lot about this topic of late and intend to use what knowledge i have as an armchair urbanist and structural engineer by trade to produce a nice conceptual map / prospectus for such a system, if members here would be interested in such a thing!

yes!

[Nouvellecosse]

No frills isn't indicating any sign of closure. I find it hard to imagine they could operate BAU with such a huge project underway. Makes me wonder of the fencing is for some other purpose like part of the property is just being renovated or something.

[Waverley902]

Is there any literature stating 40 stories? This is the first I'm hearing about a major development in this area.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by Waverley902

Is there any literature stating 40 stories? This is the first I'm hearing about a major development in this area.

HAF, which just passed, zones these properties 40 storys with a FAR of 10. Seems likely any redevelopment especially by a major group like Cresco would seek to maximize ROI

[Dmajackson]

There was an article this week in AllNovaScotia. It's paywalled and they do watch this forum closely so we can't post it here. Cresco does say in it they want to build to the new zoning limits which is 40 storeys.

[terrynorthend]

Absolutely. Something that is hopefully on the JRTA's radar

Originally Posted by ArchAficionado

Dartmouth could soon become HRM's "La Defense" where development flocks to that region where zoning isn't so restrictive.

What I really see at the best-case scenario for the future is that these "future growth nodes" could become areas of sufficiently elevated density that they map usefully to a potential connection by a light-rail system in the medium term future. The powers that be should be looking into this now and trying to plan for things like assembling property rights along corridors so that such a system could be efficiently designed and implemented in a decade or so from now.

I've been thinking a lot about this topic of late and intend to use what knowledge I have as an armchair urbanist and structural engineer by trade to produce a nice conceptual map / prospectus for such a system, if members here would be interested in such a thing!

[Keith P.]

Having seen no renderings and having heard only that access to the new residential units will be via Green Rd I am having trouble visualizing how the existing DSC lot that had served the mall section that is being demolished will be repurposed. Perhaps a parking structure for the residential?

[LikeCranes]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

No frills isn't indicating any sign of closure. I find it hard to imagine they could operate BAU with such a huge project underway. Makes me wonder of the fencing is for some other purpose like part of the property is just being renovated or something.

No Frills and shoppers/dollar store are not included in the demo.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by LikeCranes

No Frills and shoppers/dollar store are not included in the demo.

I wasn't suggesting that they were. Just questioning the feasibility of having all the activity involved in such a huge project happening right there while a store continues to operate. Highrises tend to require a huge hole to be dug, endless trucks delivering materials, noise, dust, the whole works. Not to mention the space requirement in an already fairly congested parking lot.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wasn't suggesting that they were. Just questioning the feasibility of having all the activity involved in such a huge project happening right there while a store continues to operate. Highrises tend to require a huge hole to be dug, endless trucks delivering materials, noise, dust, the whole works. Not to mention the space requirement in an already fairly congested parking lot.

That No Frills is a very important part of the eco system for the neighbourhood.If it were to close the Sobeys up the road would own that local market and they charge enough for everything anyway. Folks that are economically stressed will walk through dust and noise to Eat.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Wouldn't be the first time that construction happened near operating businesses - there are protocols for that. Also, it would seem reasonable for much of the construction access to happen from the Green Rd. side.

For me, it will be a little sad to see the remains of the Dartmouth Shopping Centre go, but all things must change. Life goes on.

[Jringe01]

Originally Posted by ArchAficionado

I've been thinking a lot about this topic of late and intend to use what knowledge I have as an armchair urbanist and structural engineer by trade to produce a nice conceptual map / prospectus for such a system, if members here would be interested in such a thing!

Yes please, would love to see what you come up with.

[Keith P.]

Update in the C-H on news around the Dartmouth Shopping Centre site and the future of NoFrills, Shoppers, and Dollarama:

https://www.SaltWire.com/halifax/bus...ent-101001112/

Demolition has begun on a large portion of the Dartmouth Shopping Centre on Wyse Road.

Cresco has partnered with J2k Properties on the project, which will see the Dollarama, No Frills and Shopper’s Drug Mart stores temporarily stay intact, and the strip mall portion of the property torn down in preparation for redevelopment.

“It’ll be lots of housing and some retail space, and it's an exciting project that will change that corner,” said Andrew Inch of Cresco. “We waited for tenants’ leases to end before we began work.”

Jim Kanellakos, co-owner of J2k Properties, said his company is the construction arm of the project, but that J2k and Cresco will own it jointly, 50/50, when it’s completed.

“The whole site is a phased construction project that in the end will have four 40 storey towers and a mid-rise of ten storeys. “To my knowledge, I think the tallest building (in Halifax now) is 33 storeys,” he said. “The No Frills and the Shoppers both have long-term leases and we’re going to keep them open in the short term, until we have their new home constructed. They’ll be at the base of one of the new apartment buildings.”

Kanellakos said the development is scheduled to take ten years to complete, and that the budget is “probably” a billion dollars.

He admits that is a daunting number.

“It is a little bit, but we are doing it in a phased approach so we can pause if we have to,” he said. “From a construction perspective, we’ve got lots of experience.... we’re taking it as being more of the same, just on a bigger scale and the market has been strong, and we believe that the market in Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax, will continue to be strong. It’s a long-term game.”

[OldDartmouthMark]

That’s interesting, Keith. Thanks for posting this. Will the new No Frills be the first real urban format grocery store in the area? Time will tell.

[Dmajackson]

I moved the posts from the other thread.

I was stuck in a traffic jam the other day near here and got bored so I parked and spent some time walking around the area and watching this building being torn down. What struck me as a bit funny about this proposal is what could be HRM's tallest building will end up being accessed (at least partially) by a gravel road (Green Road). Standing back there on gravel next to an encampment and a wooded area is a strange juxtaposition to the gridlocked , super-urban location that is this neighbourhood.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I moved the posts from the other thread.

I was stuck in a traffic jam the other day near here and got bored so I parked and spent some time walking around the area and watching this building being torn down. What struck me as a bit funny about this proposal is what could be HRM's tallest building will end up being accessed (at least partially) by a gravel road (Green Road). Standing back there on gravel next to an encampment and a wooded area is a strange juxtaposition to the gridlocked , super-urban location that is this neighbourhood.

Yes, that juxtaposition jumped out at me as well. There was chatter a while ago about just how high-end these might be, and being new they likely will not be cheap, but given the character of the area, it is about the last place I would think would be able to command high-end rents. Obviously in a few years once these start to be occupied that will be forced to change to some extent from the rough, dangerous area it has become. One wonders if Sam's tent city there is going to expand. During the campaign he has taken credit for a lot of things that taxpayers have footed the bill for and has promised even more spending on less-than-essential things instead of addressing that issue. He has been remarkably silent on this project.