Development Rumours

[someone123]

The problem with the Herald lands is that they are just average-sized blocks. Either the new footprint of the convention centre would be exactly the same as the old one or they would have to combine blocks, which would be terrible for the area. It's possible that they dealt with this issue in some really clever way, and if that's the case I'll retract my statement, but for now the Herald lands convention centre idea worries me. It is also slightly annoying since they could have been moving forward with some other development for the site in the meantime.

The best solution for the Herald lands would be to develop as part of the "entertainment district" that exists around Argyle/Grafton.

Something else to consider is that a new convention centre on the interchange lands provides an impetus for clearing them. It's slightly more complicated but we probably won't get rid of the interchange without some project like this to move things along and in the end it would be a vastly superior way for the city to go.

[hfx_chris]

Perhaps if they built on the Herald sites, they could have two separate buildings with a common level below street level, and a series of glass pedways across the street on the upper levels?

[Takeo]

I don't like either option. Putting a monolith in the middle of what should be an entertainment district or replacing one monolith (the interchange) with another. A choice between two evils if you ask me.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Perhaps if they built on the Herald sites, they could have two separate buildings with a common level below street level, and a series of glass pedways across the street on the upper levels?

In addition to your idea the could close down part of Grafton to vehicles and integrate it somehow into the convention centre.

Does anyone know what will happen to the old convention centre when the new one is built? Looking at some aerial pics and it looks like they could tear it down without damaging the Metro Centre and restore a narrower street through there...I'm not positive though. I'd love to see some of the city blocks restored downtown. Downtown has a very strange gridlock system...

[Barrington south]

personally I think it would be a big mistake to put the new convention center on the old herald lands. downtown should be a mix of residential, commercial and retail. and I would love to see all those worked into a single development, a development that would help the core thrive and bustle with local residents. This is the heart of the city, a development should have cafes, restaurant's, boutique's and bar's at street level, and people living and working above it, not a giant monolithic convention center, full of out of towners. If the convention center was built on the outskirts of downtown, everyone would still head to down town for the restaurant's, bars and hotels. so there is no disadvantage for local establishments, and for the good citizens of Halifax, we would have a much improved downtown to enjoy

[Barrington south]

Sorry, I stopped reading on page 23 and missed everything that was said on 24, I did not mean to echo or copy takeo or someone 123, we just had similar thoughts ......and good one's at that!

[Dmajackson]

I also would prefer it if it was built on Cogswell or elsewhere but my only issue with Cogswell is it takes away from the only area in downtown where buildings dont have to worry about height restrictions, heritage issues, viewplanes, ect.

How about the block where the Police HQ are? I dont think anything important is one the block and its big enough to keep the Police HQ.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

I also would prefer it if it was built on Cogswell or elsewhere but my only issue with Cogswell is it takes away from the only area in downtown where buildings dont have to worry about height restrictions, heritage issues, viewplanes, ect.

Sure.. so they could put an office tower or condos on top of the convention centre on the Cogswell lands, while that would not be possible farther up the hill. That seems like another benefit to me.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

I also would prefer it if it was built on Cogswell or elsewhere but my only issue with Cogswell is it takes away from the only area in downtown where buildings dont have to worry about height restrictions, heritage issues, viewplanes, ect.

How about the block where the Police HQ are? I dont think anything important is one the block and its big enough to keep the Police HQ.

Has anyone defined the heights in the Cogswell St. area? HRM by design tagged some heights in that area but I think it was a guess. The only thing governing the height in the Cogswell St. area is the sightline from parade square inside the ramparts of Citadel Hill. It is not clearly defined where that point originates. Is it the center of the square at ground level, center of the square 5ft. above ground or any point in the square at ground level or some height at eye level. A point from the square at ground level in the center would likely yield heights much greater than 22 floors. Maybe that could be a project for Rodney?

[someone123]

There's a general height limit of 83 m or so. Probably it will be included in HRM by Design. It makes no sense but makes certain people happy.

[Barrington south]

ideally, in my opinion, the convention center and the metro center would be rebuilt in the cogswell lands, both with tower components on top of them ( perhaps multiple on each). Because I think it's almost inevitable that anything built on the cogswell lands with be barren at street level (so your not missing much) and have an atmosphere surrounding them similar to purdurys wharf ( not good!) so why not put both centers there? I can't think of a better place close to downtown to build two monoliths. That would leave a lot of land downtown to expand on what's already there (hearld lands, metro center lands and the old convention center lands turned into something similar to the entertainment district like someone123 said) witch I think has a lot better chance of being successful than a massive extension of purdy's warf...and knowing Halfiax you know that's what your going to get if they attempt to build a business core there.

[Dmajackson]

I found something on Willow Ridge, a development I've personally never heard of before. How old is this community?


Credit: HERE

[someone123]

So that's across from Mic Mac Mall? Looks like a very average suburban development, but it's interesting that all these little pockets are being filled in now. Much of Cole Harbour was built before inner Dartmouth was built out.

[terrynorthend]

I wonder whatever became of the development across Woodland from this.. on the old MT+T lands behind Horizon and Summit towers. I think it was Dexel developments or something like that.. an 8 story project with a fairly large footprint.

[Dmajackson]

Isn't Maybank Fields across from this? I know that the Summit and Horizong are behind Mic Mac somewheres...

I wish Dexel had a website, they're also behind the Vic (?) proposal downtown.

[sdm]

This isn't dexel's site, this is on the other side of woodlawn

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by someone123

...but it's interesting that all these little pockets are being filled in now. Much of Cole Harbour was built before inner Dartmouth was built out.

There used to be houses on this site, I have no idea what ever happened to them, but they were all demolished and the streets rebuilt.

The lot terry is talking about is the one between Maybank Field and Horizon. It's the empty lot you can see from Woodland.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

There used to be houses on this site, I have no idea what ever happened to them, but they were all demolished and the streets rebuilt.

That was military housing of some sort, small 1 1/2 storey houses. They were taken out 3-4 years ago.

You can see this new development when you take the exit ramp from the Circ to Woodland if you're heading outbound from the MacKay bridge.

[wackypacky]

Theres plans for 2 more highrises on the old mt&t site they were just waiting for demand to get back up after summit. They'll be starting one of the buildings in the spring.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by someone123

So that's across from Mic Mac Mall? Looks like a very average suburban development, but it's interesting that all these little pockets are being filled in now. Much of Cole Harbour was built before inner Dartmouth was built out.

I think between this and Trinity-Harbourview there is only one area inside the Circ not filled in (at the top of Mount Hope Ave next to the Circ). Thankfully there are already plans for building up, like 249 Windmill, YMCA Towers, King's Wharf, ect.

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

There used to be houses on this site, I have no idea what ever happened to them, but they were all demolished and the streets rebuilt.

The lot terry is talking about is the one between Maybank Field and Horizon. It's the empty lot you can see from Woodland.

Thanks "hfx_chris" i looked it up on Microsoft Live and there is some sort of a cleared lot there.