[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A new forum member sent me a DM earlier this morning. He claims he has seen soil testing going on in the T&T parking lot recently. This may mean nothing. They may simply be doing some due diligence since the property is on the market, and they want to give prospective buyers as much information as possible.

Interesting nonetheless.........

I drove by when this was happening so I can also confirm the activity.

[MonctonRad]

This photo has already been posted in the Dieppe thread. I have taken the liberty of adding in all the proposed towers planned for downtown Moncton in the next 3-5 years or so,



Gateway Towers - Twin 17 storey mixed use apartment buildings with a common retail podium, already under construction, completion by 2029.

Infinity Tower - Single 30 storey mixed use apartment building. Approved. Construction is felt to be imminent. Probably also will be completed by 2029.

Ashford/Downing Project - Status unknown. A major mixed public/private development planned for the lands behind Assumption Place. Current assumption is two towers, potentially up to 30 storeys in height, with one being commercial (probably with a hotel component), and the other residential. Waiting for approved funding from the federal and provincial governments (for expanded city market and convention centre). Unless all the ducks come into a row, this may not happen. The status of this project is precarious.

If all three of these projects happen, then Moncton will finally have a proper skyline befitting a mid sized Canadian xity.

[Leroy321]

I wonder if there’s any other major developments in the planning stages. Maybe now that the demand is getting a little better maybe Sparato holdings will start to focus on the Main/Lewis/Steadman/Queen St development again.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I wonder if there’s any other major developments in the planning stages. Maybe now that the demand is getting a little better maybe Sparato holdings will start to focus on the Main/Lewis/Steadman/Queen St development again.

That Spataro project would really upgrade that whole area. Another one would be the Ashford project at 1273 Main Street across from the Avenir center, replacing the old auto detailing building.

I wouldn't hold my breath for either of these projects though.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

That Spataro project would really upgrade that whole area. Another one would be the Ashford project at 1273 Main Street across from the Avenir center, replacing the old auto detailing building.

I wouldn't hold my breath for either of these projects though.

The Spataro project at Main/Lewis is on indefinite hold. I have no real expectation this will come to fruition anytime soon.

The Ashford apartment building proposed for 1273 Main will likely never see the light of day. Ashford seems to be turning away from purely residential projects. It was never anything more than a really neat conceptual rendering.

There is the potential for redevelopment of 1222 Main and the lands between this building and the Avenir Centre. This now belongs to Doucet Developments/TierToo. I am not holding my breath however for anything immediate here.

Then there is redevelopment of the soon-to-be-former RCMP HQ at Main/Assumption. I am moderately hopeful something will happen here, but, I have no inside information.

Then there is the possibility of ongoing work at the Junction Urban Village. They are currently taking a break from active development here (I don't know why - the residential component has been very successful, and they have just achieved full commercial occupancy). Maybe they will feel differently in a couple of years.

And, there is also the possibility that ICON will tackle their property on Dominion Street. They are an aggressive developer, but, they may wan to wait a few years while they work on the Infinity Tower. I have heard rumours they may want to build something here as tall as 17-18 storeys.

And, finally, off the top of my head, there is the old Tim Horton's property on Albert Street owned by Lafford. Again, probably nothing will happen here while Lafford works on the Gateway Towers, but, Lafford is an aggressive developer with an assembly line mindset. Another 17-18 storey building could come here in a few years time.

Of course there is St. Bernard Place, the construction of which is imminent, but, since it was downgraded to a six story building, it is hardly worth talking about.

Anyone else with any ideas for substantial downtown development projects???

[Leroy321]

I’m pretty sure ashford is the one behind the 20 Cameron St development which is about start. Which means they are still doing some residential developments.

Lafford isn’t in too much of a rush to develop the old Tim Horton property. Rather they are going to Saint John to do a copy of the Gateway towers there.

[Leroy321]

Peoples Park Power will be going to city council again tomorrow night here is the document for all the objections: https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/councilmeetings/2026/Objections/960-St.George-Blvd.-eng.pdf

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I’m pretty sure ashford is the one behind the 20 Cameron St development which is about start. Which means they are still doing some residential developments.

I know about this project, but, it is only four storeys (I think) and did not qualify it as a "major" project. It will however be nice infill.

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Lafford isn’t in too much of a rush to develop the old Tim Horton property. Rather they are going to Saint John to do a copy of the Gateway towers there.

Lafford owns two tower cranes, and they are both currently busy (The York in Sackville and the Gateway Towers in Moncton). The tower crane for the York could be taken down later this year. It could be used for the project in SJ.. The tower crane at Gateway will be busy for up to three years. It could move to the Tim Horton's site after that.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Peoples Park Tower will be going to city council again tomorrow night here is the document for all the objections: https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/councilmeetings/2026/Objections/960-St.George-Blvd.-eng.pdf

The prime objectors to the People Park Tower project are the denizens of Kipling Court. I know this court, and some of the people that live there. It is the bougiest cul-de-sac in the new west end some very well connected people live on this street. They may very well have the where-with-all to keep this worthwhile project from getting built.

[Leroy321]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Lafford owns two tower cranes, and they are both currently busy (The York in Sackville and the Gateway Towers in Moncton). The tower crane for the York could be taken down later this year. It could be used for the project in SJ.. The tower crane at Gateway will be busy for up to three years. It could move to the Tim Horton's site after that.

Lafford wants to keep his second tower crane in Sackville and keep developing there. The project in Saint John will not start until the Gateway Towers are fully completed. The two twin buildings in Saint John will be fully completed by a rough estimate of 2034. The last I heard, Lafford would like to buy another property downtown and develop it rather than develop the old Tim Property.

In my opinion, Lafford could secure another tower crane and develop in three areas at once.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I’m pretty sure ashford is the one behind the 20 Cameron St development which is about start. Which means they are still doing some residential developments.

The Cameron Street project is associated with a numbered company based in Dieppe

Based on available planning and public notice documents from 2024, 737663 NB Inc. is a corporate entity associated with development and property variance applications in the Moncton, New Brunswick area.

Key details found regarding this entity:

Associated Representative: Geoff LeBlanc.
Address/Location: Records indicate a mailing address of 3A-250 Champlain St, Dieppe, NB.
Activity: The company has submitted variance applications for properties located at 20 Cameron Street, Moncton, NB (PIDs 00693341, 00693333, 00693325, and a portion of 00697029) regarding municipal planning reports.

The overall development will eventually include three buildings surrounding the Ashford parking loi in behind the IG Wealth Management Building (owned by Ashford) near the Main/Vaughan Harvey intersection.



Rendering of the first building:



It is actually five storeys. In a previous response, I had said I thought it was only four storeys. At the time this was presented to PAC, the ground floor was to be occupied by a dental office. I wonder if this is still the case?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Lafford wants to keep his second tower crane in Sackville and keep developing there. The project in Saint John will not start until the Gateway Towers are fully completed. The two twin buildings in Saint John will be fully completed by a rough estimate of 2034. The last I heard, Lafford would like to buy another property downtown and develop it rather than develop the old Tim Property.

In my opinion, Lafford could secure another tower crane and develop in three areas at once.

Very interesting news about keeping a tower crane in Sackville. This must mean he has a couple more substantial projects in mind for the town. I wonder what they will be and where they will be located. We will have to keep an eye on this.

You are quite right that Lafford could just buy a third crane.

He definitely is interested in additional land in downtown Moncton. I have heard he wants the NB Power lot just to the east of the Gateway Towers so that he could put up a third building here. I have also heard he wants some of the ocean of surface parking north of Assumption and close to the Three Sisters. NB Power though does not like to divest itself of property, and Heritage is unusually protective of it's large share of derelict surface parking in the core. This therefore might be difficult to accomplish.

I still think we will see some movement on the Timmies site within the next few years.

[jonny golden]

He definitely is interested in additional land in downtown Moncton.

IMHO the holy grail is the LARGE parking lot across from Heritage Court. MonctonRad did a concept drawing for this land a few months ago which I thought was excellent. A parking structure to meet the present parking needs, 2-3 buildings, and a pedway across the tracks which would bring people right into the Avenir plaza.

This would be a great connector development, and a serious game changer for this zone. But it's probably just a pipe dream.

[Taeolas]

It may be too much to hope, but maybe Lafford would be looking to share a crane between Freddy and SJ? I don't see them having their eye on a 4th crane; but who knows?

Lafford bought the TD Tower II site off Westemoreland in downtown Freddy a few years ago, and there hasn't been a peep about it ever since; would be nice to see a tall project planned/going in there.

Especially with the potential space available just a block to the west of it (where the old Home Hardware was and where Risteen is finally going up)

[jonny golden]

Then there is redevelopment of the soon-to-be-former RCMP HQ at Main/Assumption. I am moderately hopeful something will happen here, but, I have no inside information.

Do we know when the old police station will be empty? Originally I believe it was sometime in late 2025, but not surprisingly that didn't happen. And I assume the transition will take several months.

Even if some development plans are being worked on behind closed doors now, I can't see anything happening here for 2-3 years.

And it probably wouldn't be an easy job to demolish the existing building.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

IMHO the holy grail is the LARGE parking lot across from Heritage Court. MonctonRad did a concept drawing for this land a few months ago which I thought was excellent. A parking structure to meet the present parking needs, 2-3 buildings, and a pedway across the tracks which would bring people right into the Avenir plaza.

This would be a great connector development, and a serious game changer for this zone. But it's probably just a pipe dream.

I post this every time it comes up. Do not get your hopes up for anything involving Heritage Management(i know you said its a pipedream). Worst property owner in the city. From my perspective, nothing will happen with this lot in my lifetime and I am in my 30's.

I will never pass up an opportunity to dunk on heritage. They are basically a meme at this point. I dont think Ive ever seen a single public comment, photo or video from a single person who runs that company. I will happily continue to park in their lot for free at avenir centre since they dont even have the capability of running a parking lot properly.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Peoples Park Power will be going to city council again tomorrow night here is the document for all the objections: https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/councilmeetings/2026/Objections/960-St.George-Blvd.-eng.pdf

The NIMBYS of Kipling Court have won. The proposal for a new six storey building on the campus of Peoples Park Tower failed to pass third reading at tonights city council session. This proposal is DEAD.

[MonctonRad]

CBC Article:

Moncton council ends term voting down seniors' housing complex expansion
Proposed crime reduction plan, scooter bylaw punted to next council
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: May 05, 2026 7:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-council-meeting-housing-crime-9.7187644

Moncton council ended its term by voting down a plan to expand a seniors' housing complex that neighbours had opposed.

The 8-2 vote Monday rejected zoning changes required for a six-storey, 65-unit expansion of Peoples Park Tower on St. George Boulevard. The non-profit offers housing and assisted living for people aged 55 and up.

tephen Davies, representing Peoples Park Tower, told reporters the organization will now have to consider other plans for the site to meet housing demand.

"We did spend a fair amount of time and effort in being considerate of our neighbours," Davies said.

"There are as-of-right things that don't require the city process that we can do on the property that our neighbours really won't like, and that's unfortunate.

"So now we have to think about what are the range of options, what what can we really do?"

Translation - Peoples Park Tower will now have to find ways to do the same thing in the framework of a three storey building (allowed as of right), rather than the proposed six storey building. This of course means a much larger footprint and the elimination of the treed buffer between this property and the irate citizenry of Kipling Court.

The Kiplingites may have just shot themselves in the foot...........

[habs33]

Anglophone East School District’s District Central Office will be relocating to 100 Westmorland St. in downtown Moncton this Friday

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TaKb4ysGn/

Good to see this building get used again.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

CBC Article:

Moncton council ends term voting down seniors' housing complex expansion
Proposed crime reduction plan, scooter bylaw punted to next council
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: May 05, 2026 7:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-council-meeting-housing-crime-9.7187644





Translation - Peoples Park Tower will now have to find ways to do the same thing in the framework of a three storey building (allowed as of right), rather than the proposed six storey building. This of course means a much larger footprint and the elimination of the treed buffer between this property and the irate citizenry of Kipling Court.

The Kiplingites may have just shot themselves in the foot...........

It’s hard for NIMBYS not to shoot them self it the foot since that’s where they have the gun aimed. They also seem to like the taste of feet apparently since many of them end up putting their foot in their mouth.