[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's about 31,000 square feet between the 4 PIDs at 29 Sydney, 25 King Sq N, 47 King Sq N, and 59 King Sq N. A little larger than the IOL HQ footprint... but owned by three different parties I believe. Would be a great site for an extended-stay hotel, which uptown sorely lacks. Or even a mixed hotel/apartment building.

I'd love to see something done with the lots at 87 and 95 Charlotte too. You could easily go wall-to-wall with the RBC building's blank southern facade. Assuming access to parking in behind was maintained, you could still work with an 8,000 square foot area. What's underneath here, anyway?

I think a mix of a Hyatt House or something like that where it has a nice kitchenette / table etc plus having apartment inside would be great.

I know there was a future skyline render somewhere on this forum that included King Street / Fundy Quay / Steepleview. Would be curious to see how many floors you'd need to have an impact on the skyline. Probably 15 - 20 floors.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I think a mix of a Hyatt House or something like that where it has a nice kitchenette / table etc plus having apartment inside would be great.

I know there was a future skyline render somewhere on this forum that included King Street / Fundy Quay / Steepleview. Would be curious to see how many floors you'd need to have an impact on the skyline. Probably 15 - 20 floors.

At the top of King, even 12-15 would make an impact from the bridge. I'm more concerned with filling vacant street frontage than skyline, and getting more warm bodies uptown. You'd certainly have enough area for a couple floors of ample underground parking in any case.

[DyAm00394]

A source has mentioned that their husband was told by staff that, Freak Lunchbox is closing their longtime King Street location uptown.

So, looks like the new location currently under construction inside McAllister Place on the east side is a relocation rather than a 2nd location.

[Seely32]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

At the top of King, even 12-15 would make an impact from the bridge. I'm more concerned with filling vacant street frontage than skyline, and getting more warm bodies uptown. You'd certainly have enough area for a couple floors of ample underground parking in any case.

Those lots and the mish-mash of parking lots behind that fronts on Union have always been my dream development location. I also envisioned an extended stay/Keg as anchor tenets with the surrounding Irving offices as the selling point. I know the Keg is pretty picky when it comes to population numbers/disposable income data before a restaurant pops up. In my ideal world it's a perfect location for Saint John's tallest but in the real world I think the minimum there needs to be 10 stories, but ideally higher if you are able to sell 5-6 stories extended stay with residential on top. Having Union Street and Sydney available for duel entrances and King Square for Visibility are also great selling points and could absolutely revitalize King Square. There would also be a great opportunity for multiple street front retailers on Sydney and Union if an anchor tenet takes the King Square frontage Sq ft.

Just need an experienced developer with deep pockets, patience and great commercial pitching skills. Got to be a few of those around Canada and are interested in Saint John right? Lol

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

A source has mentioned that their husband was told by staff that, Freak Lunchbox is closing their longtime King Street location uptown.

So, looks like the new location currently under construction inside McAllister Place on the east side is a relocation rather than a 2nd location.

Damn that's honestly quite disappointing. I personally go out more to uptown then to the mall. Freak was always a staple of a Saturday uptown afternoon.

[KnoxfordGuy]

That's crazy. Tourism is so high in uptown.

[cdnguys]

[MonctonRad]

Saint John Theatre Company receives $12M from feds for courthouse transformation
Goal is to turn 200-year-old building into modern performance space
Nipun Tiwari · CBC News · Posted: Oct 30, 2024 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...mpany-sydney-street-courthouse-1.7364222

I was aware of this proposal, but, this $12M contribution by the feds is I believe new. Were you guys aware of this.

This will be tremendous for the uptown. Things are starting to fall into place nicely.

[KnoxfordGuy]

Halifax may have the size but Saint John has the soul.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Saint John Theatre Company receives $12M from feds for courthouse transformation
Goal is to turn 200-year-old building into modern performance space
Nipun Tiwari · CBC News · Posted: Oct 30, 2024 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...mpany-sydney-street-courthouse-1.7364222

I was aware of this proposal, but, this $12M contribution by the feds is I believe new. Were you guys aware of this.

This will be tremendous for the uptown. Things are starting to fall into place nicely.

Yes it has been in the works for some time, I was at the new funding announcement yesterday and I can tell you the architecture and venue space are going to be first class.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

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That looks quite nice.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Saint John Theatre Company receives $12M from feds for courthouse transformation
Goal is to turn 200-year-old building into modern performance space
Nipun Tiwari · CBC News · Posted: Oct 30, 2024 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...mpany-sydney-street-courthouse-1.7364222

I was aware of this proposal, but, this $12M contribution by the feds is I believe new. Were you guys aware of this.

This will be tremendous for the uptown. Things are starting to fall into place nicely.

Hopefully this means Hamilton is coming to SJ haha

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

Yes it has been in the works for some time, I was at the new funding announcement yesterday and I can tell you the architecture and venue space are going to be first class.

ummmm...

The project is now estimated to cost around $30 million, up from just under $18 million with the same designs in 2021.

Tobias said with the latest federal contribution, they have secured just under $20 million. That includes a previous $2.5-million contribution from the federal government and $818,000 from the City of Saint John.

Pretty much doubled in cost without the figurative shovels in the ground; and still have a 10M$ shortfall.

[KnoxfordGuy]

The view of Saint John coming into the uptown from Fredericton on Route 1 and seeing now 6 cranes and the tower going up at the top of King is going to make the skyline even more hefty and I can't wait to see it. 1 years time should have that all set up for 99 King to reach full height.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

I wouldn’t doubt it if he’s got things up and running by mid 2021. He bought gothic arches in October 2019 and was demolishing it by December. But time will tell...

This is going to create a big traffic interruption uptown with sidewalk closures and possibly lane closures. Nevertheless I’m pumped to see this property in the hands of someone with a proven track record.

It’s also very nice to see uptown will have a big project lined up for 2021. If the Wellington picks up in this spring then we will have 2 big ones starting and 3 wrapping up.

Nearly 3 years later, we are starting to see work done at the site.

[JakeNB]

The former Turn of the Tide restaurant space at the Hilton Saint John is being renovated and upgraded. Hearing they will be opening a new restaurant there. Would be nice to see that space return to its former glory.

[adamuptownsj]

New encampment forming rather quickly at Tin Can Beach. That gives us four in the south-central area, plus the sea cans. Silence from City Hall about the 'green zones' so far.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

New encampment forming rather quickly at Tin Can Beach. That gives us four in the south-central area, plus the sea cans. Silence from City Hall about the 'green zones' so far.

Shocking.

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

New encampment forming rather quickly at Tin Can Beach. That gives us four in the south-central area, plus the sea cans. Silence from City Hall about the 'green zones' so far.

In October, after the election, the mayor said sometime “next month”

Been peeking at the council agendas but they haven’t been posted yet.

Other news, Belyea’s tiny home initiative is out for public comment.

[cdnguys]

Bob McVicar announced they sold 20 acres of land off of Thornbrough St in the geographic centre of SJ to a developer where there will be “hundreds of units” built. It will be a desirable area to live with new school nearby, Rockwood Park and 5 minutes to uptown or Regional