[Moncton] St. Bernard Place | 18 Storeys | Proposed

[jonny golden]

I don't think that the cost of money is the problem with this developer, nor is it market conditions. The vacancy rates for this type of apartment in downtown Moncton is actually quite low. I think it's just the willingness to take on a big project. They have the experience with 6 floors and maybe they just want to repeat what they're comfortable with.

I was really pleased when they purchased the land from Frederick Properties way back in Feb 2021, as the project was going from 12 floors to 18. In hindsight, it would have been better to see the 12 floor building proceed instead of another one of these 6 floor boxes.

I think it would be great if Trevor Ritchie would just lose interest in this project all together and sell it to a credible developer who would proceed with the 18 floor plan, or have a change of heart and go ahead with his original proposal.

[new kid in town]

I'd take even 10 floors over yet another 6 especially in such an important spot (smack dab in the middle of Main and St. George. This lot deserves a project that kickstarts a proper corridor between 2 such major downtown routes.

[MonctonGoldenTri]

I wish they would sell the property to Lafford. I hope going forward the city enforces a minimum of 10 stories for prime DT locations

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenTri

I wish they would sell the property to Lafford. I hope going forward the city enforces a minimum of 10 stories for prime DT locations

That could be counter productive and stifle new developments.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenTri

I wish they would sell the property to Lafford. I hope going forward the city enforces a minimum of 10 stories for prime DT locations

Lafford has a lot on his plate right now, and more to come. I'm not sure he would take this on as well, even if it was available.

Even though it's disappointing to see projects being reduced after their initial plans are made public, (West Gate and now St. Bernard's), I just can't see the city creating a 10 floor minimum.

What's really bothersome is that both of these projects are in prominent and very important locations. Once the underwhelming 6 floor buildings are complete, that's it.

[MonctonDowntown]

Based on my research, for a city of Moncton's size, the ideal building height is in the 4–8 storey range, with occasional taller buildings (10–15 storeys) in the core if supported by demand and infrastructure. This “mid-rise urbanism” approach offers density without the drawbacks of very tall towers.

Pros and Cons of Taller Buildings include:

Pros

Efficient land use – Maximizes housing or office space on small parcels of land.

Urban density – Supports public transit, local retail, and walkability by concentrating people.

Skyline identity – Creates a visual landmark for the city.


Cons

Wind tunnels and downdrafts – Tall buildings can increase ground-level wind speeds, making streets less comfortable.

Shadowing – Block sunlight on nearby streets and properties, reducing livability and affecting plants/green spaces.

Infrastructure strain – Require more robust utilities, elevators, fire safety systems, and emergency planning.

High cost and risk – Large projects are expensive and complex, discouraging smaller local developers and concentrating ownership.



Benefits of Mid-Rise and Low-Rise Development

More incremental growth
Mid-rise projects (4–8 storeys) are financially feasible for a wider range of developers. This means more numerous, smaller projects rather than a few large towers, keeping development momentum steady.

Context-sensitive scale
Lower heights blend well with existing neighborhoods and preserve the city’s character.

Better street experience
They allow more sunlight, reduce wind impacts, and make streets feel more human-scaled and inviting.

Flexibility for future development
If land is fully consumed by a few huge towers, redevelopment opportunities can stall for decades. Smaller, lower projects leave parcels available for phased growth as demand increases.



Summary

Cities of Moncton size benefit from mid-rise density as the backbone of growth.

Too many very tall towers can harm street life, create wind/shadow issues, and “lock up” land in a few projects, limiting future opportunities.

Moderate heights encourage continuous, sustainable development and a healthy mix of local developers.

[Mud]

Originally Posted by MonctonDowntown

Based on my research, for a city of Moncton's size, the ideal building height is in the 4–8 storey range, with occasional taller buildings (10–15 storeys) in the core if supported by demand and infrastructure. This “mid-rise urbanism” approach offers density without the drawbacks of very tall towers.

Thank you, I'm always surprised to see the constant poopooing of smaller scale projects on here.

High rises have their place in our downtown and I would never agitate for height limits or whatnot but there are plenty of cities around the world that offer a great urban environment with nothing over 10 storeys.

The reaction to this reduction in particular is a great example. 18 storeys would have been a really jarring break from its surroundings. 55 Queen a stones throw away would be a much better model for this development.

I think we have to come to terms with the fact that the demographic in Moncton that would fill these highrises is not really that large and whatever demand there is will probably be hoovered up by the projects of bigger players in the city. At least at 6 storeys this development is much more likely to get off the ground soon. Moncton would benefit more from 200 urban-dwellers now rather than 600 a decade later.

[MonctonRad]

Good post.

I generally agree, but, the wasteland of parking south of Main Street is a tabula rasa where the city is able to create a distinctive skyline without impacting pre-existing residents or streetscapes. I think the city should be daring here. We need to create a skyline.

In the Avenir Centre precinct, mew development seems to be in the six storey range. I am comfortable with this. This section of the city is developing a walkable high density character.

Similarly, I envisage more human scale development between Main and St. George (with the odd tower), again to promote human scale and walkability.

BUT, south of Main, and, to a lesser extent in the extreme east end, I think height should be promoted to give the city a defining skyline. This is where the Three Sisters, the Gateway Towers, the Infinity Tower and the Ashford/Downing development are going anyway. This should continue to be promoted and encouraged.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

We need to create a skyline.

I'm curious as to why you think that?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by OliverD

I'm curious as to why you think that?

Mostly because I'm tired of Moncton's skyline being defined by the twin phalluses of the Bell Aliant Tower and Assumption Place. It is not a pretty skyline, and needs to be fleshed out. Assumption Place is a hideous brutalist monstrosity. It's prominence on the skyline has to be minimized.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

I get a kick out of the notion that since many European cities have interesting skylines without many or any 10+ storey buildings, we also have chance to emulate the same style of cities here in North America. I just don't see that happening, but it would be nice to see more buildings utilize stone and other more aesthetically appealing materials.

I think Moncton especially needs more 20+ towers built in the city centre to fill out the skyline into something much nicer.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Mostly because I'm tired of Moncton's skyline being defined by the twin phalluses of the Bell Aliant Tower and Assumption Place. It is not a pretty skyline, and needs to be fleshed out. Assumption Place is a hideous brutalist monstrosity. It's prominence on the skyline has to be minimized.

We have some hope with Icon and Ashford.. just have to be patient as they are coming, just slowly. I am very sure Icon, was holding off because of the road work that was coming. The same seems to be for Ashford. I stayed at the Delta this weekend as I was back in Moncton visiting friends. My room looked over part of the Ashford site and wow will it ever change things whenever it’s built!

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

We have some hope with Icon and Ashford.. just have to be patient as they are coming, just slowly. I am very sure Icon, was holding off because of the road work that was coming. The same seems to be for Ashford. I stayed at the Delta this weekend as I was back in Moncton visiting friends. My room looked over part of the Ashford site and wow will it ever change things whenever it’s built!

The city infrastructure work was spread out over several years. I don't think Ashford was ever going to start their project before the work was completed. So 2026 could have always been their intended start date.

$7.9 million in 2022. A further $10.2 million in 2023, $8.1 million in 2024 and $5.7 million in 2025.

[Leroy321]

I noticed the website has been suspended for inactivity
https://stbernardplace.ca/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I noticed the website has been suspended for inactivity
https://stbernardplace.ca/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

Well, there you have it then..........

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I noticed the website has been suspended for inactivity
https://stbernardplace.ca/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

I try not to be pessimistic, but I think it's time to remove this thread altogether. Even if it did happen to proceed, it wouldn't be large enough to deserve it's own thread. Time to move onto better and bigger!

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I noticed the website has been suspended for inactivity
https://stbernardplace.ca/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

So Ritchie will either sell the land, or just sit on it and pay $57,000 plus in annual property taxes. Hopefully he sells the property to a credible developer.

Wouldn't it be great if a new developer from out of town were to step in and capitalise on this opportunity. There are some serious property developers who already have a presence in Moncton, such as:

Westcliffe Residential
https://westcliff.ca/en/building-type/residential/

Killam Properties
https://killamreit.com/developments

Leyad Residential
https://www.leyad.ca/portfolio

[MonctonRad]

I have it on very good authority (knowledgeable source) that Si. Bernard Place is not dead, and, will indeed proceed, probably with construction beginning next year.

The rumours of a significantly decreased height for the building however are unfortunately true, and, this is why the current website was taken down. It was not providing accurate information about this project.

Even at six storeys, this building may provide nice mixed use density for this growing neigbourhood near city hall. I have not seen any new renderings. Let's hope the building style is not too generic.

[Leroy321]

https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/councilmeetings/2025/Agenda/2025-11-17_Agenda_Ordre_du_jour.pdf
I wonder what they need to go back to pac for I thought they were accepted for 6-18 stories?

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/councilmeetings/2025/Agenda/2025-11-17_Agenda_Ordre_du_jour.pdf
I wonder what they need to go back to pac for I thought they were accepted for 6-18 stories?

That's the council agenda, not PAC.