[Halifax] Vintage Row Development (1528 Queen) | 24 M | 9 Fl | U/C

[OldDartmouthMark]

Piece by piece, Halifax’s built heritage is being removed. Each one doesn’t seem like a lot in itself, until you take stock and realize how much has been taken in a relatively short time.

But, I’ve often said, if nobody cares it doesn’t really matter.

[Dmajackson]

I've created a thread for this project.

A Development-Only Permit was submitted this week;

The proposed project is a mixed-use building, with ground floor commercial, and 168 residential units. The building consists of 3 levels of underground parking and 9 stories above grade.

I'll post more information once I see anything.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic that they are naming this “Vintage Row”?

Like, let’s honour these amazing vintage buildings that we are tearing down to build this.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic that they are naming this “Vintage Row”?

Like, let’s honour these amazing vintage buildings that we are tearing down to build this.

Even odder because, I think, the "vintage" was in reference to the clothing stores there, not necessarily the buildings. To me, the buildings would fit in the "antique" category, not "vintage."

Who names a development for a collection of 3-5 stores of the same type that really only co-existed for ten years or less? Maybe I'm wrong, but I really don't think this was a strip of vintage stores for all that long.

[someone123]

I don't think these buildings have much heritage value per se, but they do have character because of the fine-grained storefronts and bright colours. In other words, it's not important to preserve the actual material of these buildings, but it is good to avoid replacing them with something visually blander, less vibrant, or more generic.

We will have to wait and see but in principle you could "upgrade" this row by keeping that rhythm of bright wooden facades, making them taller, and making the storefronts better, while adding more floors above in whatever style. The old tenants probably wouldn't be able to afford the rent there but that is inevitable in a growing city; the important thing is to have new areas that businesses can migrate to. Spring Garden Road is more high-end stores now while small scale mom and pops could locate in areas like Agricola.

I'd like to see a similar development on Grafton by Maxwell's Plum. Add some small and varied facades to complement the buildings around there but put more floors on top. Vic Suites is one successful example of this.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic that they are naming this “Vintage Row”?

Like, let’s honour these amazing vintage buildings that we are tearing down to build this.

The project doesn't have a name. The thread title is my attempt at making it clear what project this is for until we have an actual name announced. That's why I made sure to include "development" in the title which for named projects doesn't happen.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The project doesn't have a name. The thread title is my attempt at making it clear what project this is for until we have an actual name announced. That's why I made sure to include "development" in the title which for named projects doesn't happen.

Oops! Sorry I missed that! Makes sense now that I read your explanation.

Please feel free to delete my post as it is somewhat meaningless.

I should also add my apologies for said comment. I have had a “thing” about some of the names of new developments in Halifax, and I was compelled to comment before understanding that this was a placeholder name… my bad. (And I will also try to dial back my obsession with development names, as they are basically meaningless)

[JET]

There were some great shops there for a long time. I recall going to Back Pages used books, and the Asian spice shop in the late 70s. Taz records might have started on that stretch, a good spot for a Historic Plaque.

[DartmouthSteve]

Back Pages was a great shop. That building is being demolished. Taz was closer to Sackville Street, so the original location is still safe. Can't remember the exact street number. I just looked at Google Street view and think I recognize the old entrance, but I can't be sure.

[JET]

Originally Posted by DartmouthSteve

Back Pages was a great shop. That building is being demolished. Taz was closer to Sackville Street, so the original location is still safe. Can't remember the exact street number. I just looked at Google Street view and think I recognize the old entrance, but I can't be sure.

Before he opened Taz Bob Switzer had Rubber Soul records on Barrington St. Near the GG residence. There was also ol dans records and days of wine and vinyl, and some moved around a bit.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

I don't think these buildings have much heritage value per se, but they do have character because of the fine-grained storefronts and bright colours. In other words, it's not important to preserve the actual material of these buildings, but it is good to avoid replacing them with something visually blander, less vibrant, or more generic.

We will have to wait and see but in principle you could "upgrade" this row by keeping that rhythm of bright wooden facades, making them taller, and making the storefronts better, while adding more floors above in whatever style. The old tenants probably wouldn't be able to afford the rent there but that is inevitable in a growing city; the important thing is to have new areas that businesses can migrate to. Spring Garden Road is more high-end stores now while small scale mom and pops could locate in areas like Agricola.

I'd like to see a similar development on Grafton by Maxwell's Plum. Add some small and varied facades to complement the buildings around there but put more floors on top. Vic Suites is one successful example of this.

Depends upon how you define heritage value, I suppose. There may not be any association with famous or important people, and maybe they are not super ornate Victorians, but IMHO the most interesting cities have a nice balance of newer, highly functional buildings (that are hopefully attractive enough to have a positive impact on the built form of the city), and nice examples of older buildings from all different eras. I think that enough of the older structures have been erased from this area to raise the priority of trying to keep most of the remaining nice ones. Again IMHO, it’s about more than simple granularity and rhythm of smaller streetside facades (and faux heritage will never replace actual heritage), but preserving small sections of older streetscapes to tie in with the past and retain both visual and historical interest for future generations to enjoy as well. In my opinion, this neighbourhood is prime for this type of variety, but I am also thinking that it’s probably too late.

Of course, opinions will be different for everyone, YMMV.

[DartmouthSteve]

I still see records with the Ol' Dan's and Days of Wine and Vinyl stamp on the inside of the sleeve. I probably have a couple in my collection.

Jay Ferguson from Sloan worked at Ol' Dan's when he was a young teen.

[Dmajackson]

HalifaxDevelopments.ca (Photo by David Jackson)

[Jstaleness]

Nothing major over the last few weeks here. They did come in and remove the old excavator, and had a drill in for soil testing. Since then, nothing new or any activity.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Piece by piece, Halifax’s built heritage is being removed. Each one doesn’t seem like a lot in itself, until you take stock and realize how much has been taken in a relatively short time.

But, I’ve often said, if nobody cares it doesn’t really matter.

Presumably, similar comments will someday be made about all these new buildings currently doing the replacing. And so the cycle goes.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Is there a rendering of what's going in here?

Also - There were no heritage designated buildings here? Based on street view, any heritage houses lost were on the Birmingham side?

The 'vintage row' part appears to be mainly plain former wood frame houses with funky colour choices/strange exterior decorations that don't represent traditional heritage? Did they once have more character/authentic elements that made them different?

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Is there a rendering of what's going in here?

I believe there was some old plans in the general updates, but they're likely outdated now. They were for a 9 storey traditional build. I'm hearing the developer wants the additional pink building that's next to Cha Baa Thai. Plans have likely changed.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by kzt79

Presumably, similar comments will someday be made about all these new buildings currently doing the replacing. And so the cycle goes.

Presumably. It will be up to future generations to decide what to do with today's new building stock.

It's up to our generation to decide which and how much of the current building stock is worth preserving for future generations. We are the caretakers as such, and IMHO we are not doing a very good job of caretaking our Victorians, etc., and thus there could likely be people who may never get to see such buildings in the future.

Buy, yes. Today's new buildings are tomorrow's old buildings. Nobody considered what people might think of Victorians 100+ years after they were being built. They were just intent on building nice, durable, well-crafted buildings for them to enjoy in the day, and hopefully for their children to enjoy after them. I suppose that's part of what makes them special to some of us, vs the pre-fab plastic, steel, and glass wonders of today. Maybe in 100 years our new buildings, if any of them remain, they will be looked at as quaint, or indicative of an era that will look much different in the eyes of future generations. We just look at it as being 'new' and contemporary.

And so the cycle goes.

[JET]

A better title might be ‘Vintage Row Re-development’?

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Jstaleness

I believe there was some old plans in the general updates, but they're likely outdated now. They were for a 9 storey traditional build. I'm hearing the developer wants the additional pink building that's next to Cha Baa Thai. Plans have likely changed.

Interesting, that would be the only real loss on this side. I don't even think 'vintage row' was Victorian. It seems like They could have preserved part of the Birmingham streetscape and built around in an L shape.