Development Rumours

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by TheNovaScotian

This current version has got to one of the ugliest proposed buildings yet. At one of the entrances to downtown Dartmouth no less. It looks similar to the horrendous building at the base of Montebello. https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243564

Seconded - it's 🞵🞵🞵🞵-ugly. Barely an improvement over the derelict gas station it's replacing - just as ugly but on a much larger scale.

[OldDartmouthMark]

I'll take the gas station, thank you.

Surely they can do better than this.

[someone123]

It looks like a mix between an apartment building and a 70's industrial building with corrugated metal cladding.

I do like the massing and curve for that corner but why so bland and ugly? Hopefully some of it is just the rendering.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I'll take the gas station, thank you.

Surely they can do better than this.

100% Agree Mark

[DartmouthSteve]

I have lived a stone's throw from that gas station for the past 24+ years and have always thout it would make a great dinner or pub. I like the mid century design. So, count me in the minority of those who will miss it.

However, I'm in favour of density in that area, however, but that design is not it. Almost as ugly as when I accidentally open my phone camera is selfie mode. No one wants to see that.

[Five Four]

Something I see a lot in Halifax are buildings clearly designed to be much taller that look cut off. A good example is The George on Pepperell.

[JET]

The gas station is gone, trees cleared out, and fencing is up.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

The gas station is gone, trees cleared out, and fencing is up.

And many of the locals are on FB wailing about what a shame it is, how it will now become "another high-rise", and how someone should have preserved it as a heritage site. I kid you not.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

And many of the locals are on FB wailing about what a shame it is, how it will now become "another high-rise", and how someone should have preserved it as a heritage site. I kid you not.

I reckon it’s a good thing I left Facebook. That corner was an eyesore for too long.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by DartmouthSteve

I have lived a stone's throw from that gas station for the past 24+ years and have always thout it would make a great dinner or pub. I like the mid century design. So, count me in the minority of those who will miss it.

This is pretty much my opinion dead on. While most old buildings would be considered an eyesore by most when they are allowed to be run down, mid century buildings - even gas stations - have a charm to their design that is quickly disappearing from the landscape. Had this one been converted to a nice little restaurant or brewpub, with some creative decor, it could have been a really nice way to preserve a little bit of this design.

IMHO, there are many opportunities to increase density in the area without using this prominent lot to contain the proposed building that I will consider paying it a compliment to call it ugly.

I do agree with JET (actually in most areas other than this particular building) that staying off of fakebook, and most other social media platforms is a good idea. That is, unless messageboards like this one are considered social media...

[JET]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

This is pretty much my opinion dead on. While most old buildings would be considered an eyesore by most when they are allowed to be run down, mid century buildings - even gas stations - have a charm to their design that is quickly disappearing from the landscape. Had this one been converted to a nice little restaurant or brewpub, with some creative decor, it could have been a really nice way to preserve a little bit of this design.

IMHO, there are many opportunities to increase density in the area without using this prominent lot to contain the proposed building that I will consider paying it a compliment to call it ugly.

I do agree with JET (actually in most areas other than this particular building) that staying off of fakebook, and most other social media platforms is a good idea. That is, unless messageboards like this one are considered social media...

Thanks Mark, one of the things that I like about this forum is that it is moderated, and while people do disagree, there is no acceptance of abuse, unlike Facebook where it is pervasive.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by DartmouthSteve

I have lived a stone's throw from that gas station for the past 24+ years and have always thout it would make a great dinner or pub. I like the mid century design. So, count me in the minority of those who will miss it.

All well and good except for the reality when it comes to money. Most new restos fail within 5 years and given the relatively small footprint of the old building it would not be a volume spot. The renos required would be extensive and expensive. And that’s not even taking into account the extensive site remediation required after many decades of being a gas station which means the entire site needs to be dug up to considerable depth and hauled away, which the proposed new development would do as a matter of course.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

All well and good except for the reality when it comes to money. Most new restos fail within 5 years and given the relatively small footprint of the old building it would not be a volume spot. The renos required would be extensive and expensive. And that’s not even taking into account the extensive site remediation required after many decades of being a gas station which means the entire site needs to be dug up to considerable depth and hauled away, which the proposed new development would do as a matter of course.

You can make that argument for just about anything, though. IMHO, there is not enough priority being placed upon creating nice neighbourhoods by preserving some interesting structures, while establishing density in others (and there must be some way of improving the standard for the appearance of these new buildings...).

As far as the remediation goes, I suspect that was already done by Irving when the gas pumps were removed, as an environmental requirement. I am open to be corrected, though, if anybody knows for certain.

I think that you would be correct about it not being a high volume restaurant, but it could survive as a vintage-style takeout, or a small brewpub/beer garden though that market is somewhat saturated these days.

Either way it's a moot point as demolition has occurred.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

Thanks Mark, one of the things that I like about this forum is that it is moderated, and while people do disagree, there is no acceptance of abuse, unlike Facebook where it is pervasive.

As a completely off-topic side note, I honestly feel that the proliferation of social media, and people allowing it to become such a large part their lives is the root cause of a lot of the divisiveness and depression/anxiety that has exploded in our society these days.

Growing up in a time when most of your contact with other people was face-to-face, it felt like there was a greater sense of mutual respect (or at least politeness) that didn't isolate and cut into the sense of well-being of most people as much of social media does these days. The anonymity and lack of recourse associated with participating in these platforms has really taken its toll on society, IMHO.

[DartmouthSteve]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

All well and good except for the reality when it comes to money. Most new restos fail within 5 years and given the relatively small footprint of the old building it would not be a volume spot. The renos required would be extensive and expensive. And that’s not even taking into account the extensive site remediation required after many decades of being a gas station which means the entire site needs to be dug up to considerable depth and hauled away, which the proposed new development would do as a matter of course.

For sure, but the second part of my post went on to say I welcomed density in that spot, but I am not a fan of the design renderings.Another member posted that spot as the gateway to downtown, and the building should have more presence (I'm parafrasing). I totally agree.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

As far as the remediation goes, I suspect that was already done by Irving when the gas pumps were removed, as an environmental requirement. I am open to be corrected, though, if anybody knows for certain.

Pretty sure it wasn’t. That asphalt looked very old. And in any event it was used as an auto repair facility for many years thereafter with decrepit cars often tightly packed on the lot which likely leaked noxious substances.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Pretty sure it wasn’t. That asphalt looked very old. And in any event it was used as an auto repair facility for many years thereafter with decrepit cars often tightly packed on the lot which likely leaked noxious substances.

Firstly, it hasn’t been an Irving station in something like 30 years, so old pavement would not be unusual. As for the second part, are you suggesting that all parking lots (after all, without underground fuel tanks, it’s just a parking lot) need to be remediated when they are converted to another use? I did not know that.

[JET]

Originally Posted by DartmouthSteve

For sure, but the second part of my post went on to say I welcomed density in that spot, but I am not a fan of the design renderings.Another member posted that spot as the gateway to downtown, and the building should have more presence (I'm parafrasing). I totally agree.

I think that the actual gateway to Dartmouth Down Town (DDT) is at Hawthorne and Prince Albert where the Welcome to Dartmouth sign is placed

[someone123]

Does anybody know what the building shown here next to Metropolitan Place would be? Is it a real proposal or just based on zoning?


https://www.littlebrooklyndartmouth.ca/

[terrynorthend]

Love this night rendering! AFAIK, the parking lot south of MP had an of right development from the time of MP that was never exercised. Now when I look the the housing accelerator map, its listed as a 40 story/FAR 10 zone. So probably just a massing guess by the Brooklyn people.

Originally Posted by someone123

Does anybody know what the building shown here next to Metropolitan Place would be? Is it a real proposal or just based on zoning?


https://www.littlebrooklyndartmouth.ca/