[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[bingun]

A few small updates I have heard -

Asia's Best Cuisine, on Coburg St, is now a second location for Wok In Asian Cuisine (on the west side).

Royal King, on Union Street, is closing down and being replaced by a new Indian restaurant. I am not sure about names or timelines, but I heard it's a new owner and a more specialized type of indian cuisine.

Juniper, on Prince William, has closed.

I haven't walked past the old location of Paddington Station on Canterbury or the unit next door to see if the Japanese Restaurant or that Cafe has progressed.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bingun

A few small updates I have heard -

Asia's Best Cuisine, on Coburg St, is now a second location for Wok In Asian Cuisine (on the west side).

Royal King, on Union Street, is closing down and being replaced by a new Indian restaurant. I am not sure about names or timelines, but I heard it's a new owner and a more specialized type of indian cuisine.

Juniper, on Prince William, has closed.

I haven't walked past the old location of Paddington Station on Canterbury or the unit next door to see if the Japanese Restaurant or that Cafe has progressed.

Wok In should do OK, they're pretty different for Chinese. Asia's Best really slid in recent years.

I'm curious what's going in the right-hand street-facing unit in the market along King (old Infusion, which I miss). There's work actively underway.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Wok In should do OK, they're pretty different for Chinese. Asia's Best really slid in recent years.

I'm curious what's going in the right-hand street-facing unit in the market along King (old Infusion, which I miss). There's work actively underway.

I thought I read in an earlier post that the convenience store was moving into the old Infusion space.

[bingun]

Second Story on Water Street is becoming 'The Mars Hotel' as per Facebook.

Uptown Saint John, meet The Mars Hotel Cocktail Lounge!🍸
Coming to 60 Water Street this spring, The Mars Hotel is a cocktail bar blending elevated mixology with a relaxed, community-driven atmosphere, and spectacular views of the harbor.
Building on the legacy of The Second Story, which previously occupied the same location, this new venture is founded by Saint John hospitality veteran Adam Landry and designed in collaboration with TUCK Studio. It blends the moody, atmospheric aesthetics of modern urban cocktail bars with the down-to-earth character that defines Saint John’s close-knit community.
The Mars Hotel is a place where the cocktails are craft, the couches are cozy, and the hospitality feels sincere. ✨

[paperplane]

Originally Posted by bingun

Royal King, on Union Street, is closing down and being replaced by a new Indian restaurant. I am not sure about names or timelines, but I heard it's a new owner and a more specialized type of Indian cuisine.

Noooooo! Royal King is our absolute favourite SJ restaurant.
I hope the new places is as good or better and has all of our favourite dishes.

[adamuptownsj]

Lafford seems to be doing some test drilling all over the Vulcan Street lot. They've been at it since Monday morning.

https://imgur.com/a/IItZWl4

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Lafford seems to be doing some test drilling all over the Vulcan Street lot. They've been at it since Monday morning.

https://imgur.com/a/IItZWl4

Darn, beat me to it! I was just about to come post about the test drilling too

[sailor734]

^ That's encouraging news!

[bingun]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Lafford seems to be doing some test drilling all over the Vulcan Street lot. They've been at it since Monday morning.

https://imgur.com/a/IItZWl4

Really exciting to see! A lot of the talk so far has been rumour or theory, so it's great to see something physically happening.

[DyAm00394]

This comment was left on the post about this over on Retail Talk & Share NB. I presume it's someone with the Lafford company.

"Those who are suggesting that it will be a development similar to Gateway Towers in Moncton are correct. The final design has not yet been determined but that will be the general approach. Geotechnical testing like this is required before any such building is designed. We are very excited to bring our unique brand to the Saint John area".

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Lafford seems to be doing some test drilling all over the Vulcan Street lot. They've been at it since Monday morning.

I wonder high they will want to go / be allowed to go at this location?

Based on how quickly projects have gone up in Moncton, and how slowly the development of the the Fundy Quay site has been, Lafford could have a harbourfront tower topped out in SJ before the Fundy Harbour Group even begins on one of the 20+ storeys.

Would love to see Lafford get involved with more projects in Saint John, especially at some more prominent locations (like hospital hill) where 15-20+ storeys will look a lot taller than the actual floor count from a distance. Perhaps Lafford's arrival to SJ will light a fire under the collective asses of our local developers... would sure be nice.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

This comment was left on the post about this over on Retail Talk & Share NB. I presume it's someone with the Lafford company.

"Those who are suggesting that it will be a development similar to Gateway Towers in Moncton are correct. The final design has not yet been determined but that will be the general approach. Geotechnical testing like this is required before any such building is designed. We are very excited to bring our unique brand to the Saint John area".

This is interesting.... it appears that Gateway Towers is a 2x17 project just outside of Moncton. It would be interesting to see how this would expand the SJ skyline. The top of King adds some nice depth, especially as Fundy Quay gets built out.

[cdnguys]

[bingun]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Mirko is the President at Lafford Property Management, by the way, so this is about as good a source as it gets.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bingun

Mirko is the President at Lafford Property Management, by the way, so this is about as good a source as it gets.

Incredible then, cannot wait to see this one get announced and built out (especially since I work across the street )

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by bingun

Mirko is the President at Lafford Property Management, by the way, so this is about as good a source as it gets.

Nice! I didn’t realize he was the president of Lafford Property Management. I’m excited to see the final design.

Someone suggested to me that maybe they should also snatch up the property that’s now for sale across the street, (that The Landmark was proposed at). Overall, hopefully Lafford coming in will make that development finally come to life by whoever buys the property.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Nice! I didn’t realize he was the president of Lafford Property Management. I’m excited to see the final design.

Someone suggested to me that maybe they should also snatch up the property that’s now for sale across the street, (that The Landmark was proposed at). Overall, hopefully Lafford coming in will make that development finally come to life by whoever buys the property.

According to LinkedIn. It also says he lives in Quispamsis, although that could be outdated.

I really wish something would move with the site across the street. Having both of these developments move forward in lockstep would be incredible for that part of town. Tin Can Beach might develop a much more positive connotation.

[Ire Narissis]

Ohhey, I used to work with Mirko at T4G. Had no idea he was involved in this industry! He's good people; I'd take him at his word.

[adamuptownsj]

Attempting to peel off a funny little corner lot from 289 Charlotte. Owners are amenable. Planning a SFH with garage off St James and the residence occupying the upper two floors, and a small office space accessible from Charlotte for myself. Great views and light from the south and excellent location.

Will need a stack of variances for everything from minimum lot area to setbacks. Application for variances and subdivision in the hands of the city. Sent them a huge pile of supporting documentation for tiny corner-lot properties all over the area.

Getting ready to break ground for 32 Harding as well. Lots of lessons learned from 23 Harding, so this one should go much faster.

[sailor734]

^ Good Luck! Nice to see some human scale infill rather than all 4-6 story multi units.