[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Leroy321]

I thought I would post an update for development in the downtown:

Three sisters:

This development is nearing completion with the projected date of summer 2026.

Gateway towers:

The east tower is now full throttle with pile driving for the foundation.

26 Waterloo street:

This building is now topped off and the tower crane was just took down this past week.

Moncton police headquarters:

This building is nearing completion with a opening date of 2025.

20 Cameron street:

This building was proposed about year ago and nothing ever happened it would be nice to see some activity in the near future.

Westgate(tomato building):

This building was scaled back from 10 stories to 6 and then was completed mid summer.

1167 main street:

Someone found this on an architectures website last winter and we have never heard of it since. it never even showed up on Moncton's PAC. With the rumoured plans for there big development on Downing street I wonder if they will ever get to this development.

Infinity:

I imagine this will start early to mid 2026. Everything I've heard has been positive for this development and they are wrapping up there second building in Riverview.

St Benard Place:

This has been rumoured to be down sized to only 6 stories other then that it has been crickets.

Crown plaza reno:

This was announced a little over a year ago. Crickets ever since.

Downing Street:
A bunch of rumours that there back on track with planning and there waiting for the police headquarter to be completed so they can get federal funding.

[MonctonRad]

Good summary

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Have there been any serious discussions on improving the external appearance of Assumption Place? I think I heard something on here about the new owner of the building considering residential conversion in the future?

I've heard people call it a white elephant, an eyesore, and many other things on here many times. It's certainly not the most attractive building, but for now, it does remain the tallest building in New Brunswick. (along with Brunswick Square in Saint John)

Personally, I think Brunswick Square Office Tower is much more aptly described as a "White Elephant", considering its "sky high" vacancy rate, and the duller than dead mall below. I still wouldn't call Brunswick Square an eyesore, but it could definitely be improved.

I think it would be great for both Moncton and Saint John to see some government funding for residential conversions in our currently co-tallest in province buildings, along with sprucing up the dated exteriors of these very 1970's looking buildings.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Have there been any serious discussions on improving the external appearance of Assumption Place? I think I heard something on here about the new owner of the building considering residential conversion in the future?

No, no residential conversion for Assumption Place. The new owners of 1222 Main have speculated on residential conversion as a potential future for that building.

I am no fan of the architectural style of Assumption Place. I have freely referred to it as a "brutalist concrete phallus, fully turgid and erect, and on display in it's full blown glory, unabashedly and shamelessly for everyone in the downtown core to marvel at (whether they want to or not)".

I hate brutalism, but, some people are quite enamoured with the style. It is certainly one of the most prominent brutalist buildings in the province and therefore an icon of sorts. As such, it is untouchable. It will remain as is.

AFAIK, Assumption Place is at, or near full occupancy and is a successful office building. It is here to stay. My hope is that as more and more tall building appear in the downtown core, the dominance of this brutalist monstrosity will become muted, and, will eventually fade into the background. The Ashford Tower (when built) will go a long way towards hiding Assumption Place from view.

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Have there been any serious discussions on improving the external appearance of Assumption Place? I think I heard something on here about the new owner of the building considering residential conversion in the future?

I've heard people call it a white elephant, an eyesore, and many other things on here many times. It's certainly not the most attractive building, but for now, it does remain the tallest building in New Brunswick. (along with Brunswick Square in Saint John)

Personally, I think Brunswick Square Office Tower is much more aptly described as a "White Elephant", considering its "sky high" vacancy rate, and the duller than dead mall below. I still wouldn't call Brunswick Square an eyesore, but it could definitely be improved.

I think it would be great for both Moncton and Saint John to see some government funding for residential conversions in our currently co-tallest in province buildings, along with sprucing up the dated exteriors of these very 1970's looking buildings.

I would personally hope the government wouldn’t use tax dollars to fund private developers in converting commercial high rises to residential.

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

No, no residential conversion for Assumption Place. The new owners of 1222 Main have speculated on residential conversion as a potential future for that building.

I am no fan of the architectural style of Assumption Place. I have freely referred to it as a "brutalist concrete phallus, fully turgid and erect, and on display in it's full blown glory, unabashedly and shamelessly for everyone in the downtown core to marvel at (whether they want to or not)".

I hate brutalism, but, some people are quite enamoured with the style. It is certainly one of the most prominent brutalist buildings in the province and therefore an icon of sorts. As such, it is untouchable. It will remain as is.

AFAIK, Assumption Place is at, or near full occupancy and is a successful office building. It is here to stay. My hope is that as more and more tall building appear in the downtown core, the dominance of this brutalist monstrosity will become muted, and, will eventually fade into the background. The Ashford Tower (when built) will go a long way towards hiding Assumption Place from view.

I call it The Great Tombstone of Moncton. It has no architectural style.

[jonny golden]

I think I heard something on here about the new owner of the building considering residential conversion in the future?

There have been examples of highly successful conversions of vacant office space to residential - Calgary comes to mind. It revitalized their downtown core.

In Moncton, there's been downtown office space sitting vacant for years. I'd say that it must not be financially feasible to convert to residential, otherwise we'd probably have seen something happen by now. There could be other factors at play as well.

Personally, I'd love to see it happen. It wouldn't hurt to have more people living downtown. Before covid, Moncton had a pretty vibrant downtown.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

I call it The Great Tombstone of Moncton. It has no architectural style.

Typical 70's brutalist style, along with the Delta Beau and the old City Hall (now KPMG). If things keep going the way they are, maybe they'll all get swallowed up by buildings around them.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I am no fan of the architectural style of Assumption Place. I have freely referred to it as a "brutalist concrete phallus, fully turgid and erect, and on display in it's full blown glory, unabashedly and shamelessly for everyone in the downtown core to marvel at (whether they want to or not)".

Tell us what you really think!

I probably like well-executed brutalism more than most. I think the issue with this particular tower is that it's just boring. It's 10 stories taller than anything else on the skyline, so it's mediocrity is jarringly in your face. If it had had a few comparably tall neighbours over the past few decades, I doubt anyone would give it a second thought.

My one nit to pick is the huge blank walls on several buildings.
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.088133,-..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0885183,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0885647,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0873445,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[MonctonRad]

Most blank walls are there in the expectation of the eventual construction of an equally tall neighbour. In that sense, they are understandable (if ugly and boing).

What do you think of the problem of the Flat Iron Building and the Subway Block Myles???

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Brutalism and concrete buildings can actually be quite aesthetically pleasing, but Assumption Place is not that. I find it barely even looks like a brutalist style building anyways, lol. But now that I've seen the side angles without windows... that's pretty freaking brutal.

Now this is what I'd call absolutely BRUTAL:



Fenwick Tower is one of the ugliest high rises ever constructed, and even after its facelift, it's still brutally ugly, but slightly improved. Assumption Place isn't nearly that ugly, or in need of a facelift, but maybe they could throw up a wall of solar panels on the side of the building without any windows? Or is that side facing north? probably lol.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

What do you think of the problem of the Flat Iron Building and the Subway Block Myles???

They're both registered heritage buildings with the city, which can create challenges but also opportunities as there are funding programs available for redevelopment.

I suspect the bigger problem is their proximity to the railroad. I know there are restrictions on new developments within a certain distance. Not sure on renovations - but I wouldn't be surprised if that would get in the way of something like a residential conversion.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

I would personally hope the government wouldn’t use tax dollars to fund private developers in converting commercial high rises to residential.

I'd mostly agree, if we're talking market rate rentals, like there's no need for the government to subsidize that type of development. However, I think that's a case to be made for government funds to be spent on paying private construction companies to convert high rise office towers into residential developments with affordable rent. Though, I'd much prefer a situation where these office towers converted into affordable rentals would be owned by the public.

Brunswick Square and Assumption Place are unfortunately comparing apples and oranges, because even though Brunswick Square isn't nearly as much of an eyesore as Assumption Place, Brunswick Square has an absurdly high vacancy rate. Like, iirc, I think BS's vacancy rate is around 65% or something. Meanwhile, Uptown Saint John's vacancy rate for housing is historically low.


I'd like to see the more tax dollars used to fund publicly owned, affordable rental housing in all of our downtowns, including things like office conversions where possible. I think the province could do a lot more than it's currently doing to help fill in the Moncton skyline, and I believe most people would agree they have the mandate to fund much bigger publicly owned housing developments than we've yet to see them announce.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Tell us what you really think!

I probably like well-executed brutalism more than most. I think the issue with this particular tower is that it's just boring. It's 10 stories taller than anything else on the skyline, so it's mediocrity is jarringly in your face. If it had had a few comparably tall neighbours over the past few decades, I doubt anyone would give it a second thought.

My one nit to pick is the huge blank walls on several buildings.
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.088133,-..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0885183,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0885647,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.0873445,..._ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

found another angle of this one in the distance when I looked looked up where Moncton's flat iron building was. Buildings that tall simply should not be allowed to have entire sides of the buildings without windows, like wtf.

That flat iron building is pretty cool tho! I guess it would have been quite a different vibe way back in the day before that overpass went up.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

They're both registered heritage buildings with the city, which can create challenges but also opportunities as there are funding programs available for redevelopment.

I suspect the bigger problem is their proximity to the railroad. I know there are restrictions on new developments within a certain distance. Not sure on renovations - but I wouldn't be surprised if that would get in the way of something like a residential conversion.

Given the crumbling facade on the Subway Block, and, the imminent peril to passing pedestrians, something needs to be done quickly to stabilize the situation. At the least, the scaffolding could end up being there for a very long time. At the worst, the whole damned facade could come down. Neither scenario is a good one.

If the building is a public hazard, and essentially irreparable, I would imagine this would outweigh it's heritage status.

[MonctonRad]

Mirchi Tandoor is a new authentic Indian restaurant that is opening soon in Downtown Moncton, NB. The restaurant will offer a variety of dishes, including tandoori items and curries. You can follow them on Instagram @mirchitandoormoncton for updates on their grand opening date.

I noticed their "opening soon" sign today in the window of the Taj Mahal restaurant on Main Street. Presumably they will replace Taj Mahal once they decamp to their new location on St. George Street.

It is good to see that this storefront will not remain vacant for long/

Incidentally, I see there is a Mirchi Tandoor in Halifax. I wonder is this is a second location for them?

[drewber]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I noticed their "opening soon" sign today in the window of the Taj Mahal restaurant on Main Street. Presumably they will replace Taj Mahal once they decamp to their new location on St. George Street.

It is good to see that this storefront will not remain vacant for long/

Incidentally, I see there is a Mirchi Tandoor in Halifax. I wonder is this is a second location for them?

It is indeed a second location. They're food is apparently very good as well https://www.instagram.com/p/DO1NARHjsCM/?igsh=MTZvdTVoejRienhiaA==

[MonctonRad]

Parcours Athletics - now open at 70 Waterloo Street, not too far from the Maritime Window building.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1110818777805676

Looks nice!

[MonctonRad]

Moncton rooming house slated for demolition as demand for affordable rent grows
Rooming houses among many options 'up for discussion' to address housing crunch, says province
Jennifer Sweet · CBC News · Posted: Oct 04, 2025 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: October 4
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ll-melnik-sunset-hotel-moncton-1.7650809

Among the next to meet the wrecking ball will be the former Sunset Hotel in Moncton, confirmed a spokesperson for New Brunswick Housing, which owns it.

The building at 162 Queen St., which is across from the First Baptist Church, will be demolished this fall, Adam Bowie said in an emailed reply to CBC News.

After remediation of the Sunset Hotel site, the plan is to construct a new building there that has 31 affordable units, 11 of which would be "more accessible and barrier free," Bowie said.

The Suset Hotel was over 100 years old, dilapidated, and portions of the building had been sealed off because of safety concerns. A new building with 31 affordable units is actually a big step up.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Moncton rooming house slated for demolition as demand for affordable rent grows
Rooming houses among many options 'up for discussion' to address housing crunch, says province
Jennifer Sweet · CBC News · Posted: Oct 04, 2025 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: October 4
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ll-melnik-sunset-hotel-moncton-1.7650809





The Suset Hotel was over 100 years old, dilapidated, and portions of the building had been sealed off because of safety concerns. A new building with 31 affordable units is actually a big step up.

Ironic that is in such bad repair yet from the exterior looks to be well maintained and modernized.