Development Rumours - Page 29

someone123 · #**561** Posted **Jan 20, 2009, 7:35 AM**

There's the politics subforum where you could make a new thread for the political discussion if you'd like.

The news of the St. Mary's development is interesting. I've always thought it kind of unfortunate that that site is empty, although I would have preferred some kind of historical building there in keeping with the others instead of modern infill. On the other hand, the empty site created a kind of symmetry with the space in front of the library next to the courthouse, which looks very nice at the end of Grafton.

I do like the school building and hope it is maintained more or less as it is. Either way I really hope the quality is well above that of the All Saints condos.

Hopefully we'll see development on the Herald lands sometime along with a wrecking ball to take down that awful bank data processing building.

Barrington south · #**562** Posted **Jan 20, 2009, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phrenic

My response as only a reaction to the seemingly endless parade of pot shots at the NDP on this board - often blanket categorizations of members as anti-development, socialist, communist, etc. Immature cheap shots, if you will.

Agreed, although the tenants of modern social-democratic political parties are generally very far removed from those of the original communist manifesto, so the relevance of it is fleeting. I've actually lived in Sweden - the home of the welfare state - and agree that there is a consistent rate of new development alongside preserved heritage. And funny, despite the demonization of the NDP, and even Barack Obama (that crazy socialist!) by right-wing political parties, these social-democratic states often have much higher standards of living than we have. People are generally happier, too.

Agreed. But while most members of the heritage crowd may in fact be NDPers, most NDPers are not members of the heritage crowd. Howard Epstein not withstanding, I think people will find most NDP MLAs to be generally in favor of development if they assume power after the next election, as is currently predicted. It is a municipal issue of course, but as we've seen with RodMac and Epstein, opinions have a way of making themselves known.

Anyway, I realize this is not a political forum and I didn't intend to start a political discussion. So this will be my last post about politics.

This may be your last port about politics...but you certainly got your two cents worth in!!...I guess the lunatic left always likes to get the last word!

Halifax Hillbilly · #**563** Posted **Jan 21, 2009, 12:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Two interesting items in allnovascotia.com today. The first was news that the Catholic archdiocese has selected and is in negotiations with an unnamed developer to develop the St. Mary's ancilliary properties on Grafton (the old rectory and school buildings currently used for offices and minor retail) and the parking lot on the corner of SGR. The second was a discussion of the Empire condo development of the old St. Joseph's church site on the corner of Novalea and Russell, which is a couple of years away and is in the very early stages. Don Clow of Empire would not talk specifics on that but it sounds like they are going for soemthing at least 10 floors high, possibly more.

Both pieces are very intersting. That corner on Spring Garden/Grafton could really fill in the current gap between Spring Garden and the downtown proper.

Jonovision · #**564** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 8:05 PM**

I was just reading through the latest HRM By Design document where they answer public feedback. One of the questions came from NSCAD who has asked to change the height limit above their Granville Street block to 90' from the original blanket of 70' put over much of the downtown. Apparently they are looking at a major renovation consisting of a long corridor that would serve to link all of the buildings in an accessible manner as well as a library to be built on top of this block.

I think this could be an amazing addition to the area. I would hope it would be done in some nice light contemporary glass design. It could complement international place really well.

I'm still reading through the document. If I come across anything else I will post it.

sdm · #**565** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 8:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I was just reading through the latest HRM By Design document where they answer public feedback. One of the questions came from NSCAD who has asked to change the height limit above their Granville Street block to 90' from the original blanket of 70' put over much of the downtown. Apparently they are looking at a major renovation consisting of a long corridor that would serve to link all of the buildings in an accessible manner as well as a library to be built on top of this block.

I think this could be an amazing addition to the area. I would hope it would be done in some nice light contemporary glass design. It could complement international place really well.

I'm still reading through the document. If I come across anything else I will post it.

90 feet would be close to the same height as the waterside.

I can hear the heritage trust screamin now

worldlyhaligonian · #**566** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdm

90 feet would be close to the same height as the waterside.

I can hear the heritage trust screamin now

Yeah, but they might be right to. Wow, I never thought I would say that.

Keith P. · #**567** Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 11:18 PM**

CBC News reported tonight that the CBC is looking to consolidate their operations and is considering 3 options: combine radio & TV at the Bell Rd. TV site; do the same, but at the Sackville & South Park radio site; or do the same in a new purpose-built building somewhere else. They also said that the CBC has asked HRM for permission to develop their properties.

I would love to see the CBC radio building added on to with a tower above. I really like that building and think it could be a real icon if developed properly.

sdm · #**568** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

CBC News reported tonight that the CBC is looking to consolidate their operations and is considering 3 options: combine radio & TV at the Bell Rd. TV site; do the same, but at the Sackville & South Park radio site; or do the same in a new purpose-built building somewhere else. They also said that the CBC has asked HRM for permission to develop their properties.

I would love to see the CBC radio building added on to with a tower above. I really like that building and think it could be a real icon if developed properly.

there's a line up a mile long of developers wanting the sackville street location

Dmajackson · #**569** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 1:37 AM**

IMO they should sell the Sackville location to a developer, sell the Bell Road location to Capital Health and move in next to CTV on the former gas station lot on Robie Street.

Don't expect anything impressive for the Sackville St location though. Under HRM by Design its limited to 35 feet and its near the Citadel so nothing tall will come out of it.

The Bell site could be demolished and built into a hospital reitrement complex or parkland if need be.

sdm · #**570** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 2:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

IMO they should sell the Sackville location to a developer, sell the Bell Road location to Capital Health and move in next to CTV on the former gas station lot on Robie Street.

Don't expect anything impressive for the Sackville St location though. Under HRM by Design its limited to 35 feet and its near the Citadel so nothing tall will come out of it.

The Bell site could be demolished and built into a hospital reitrement complex or parkland if need be.

Is that site only 35 feet? that wouldn't the current height be higher then 35. Nonetheless a great idea to sell it off.

Dmajackson · #**571** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdm

Is that site only 35 feet? that wouldn't the current height be higher then 35. Nonetheless a great idea to sell it off.

Opps sorry I meant to type 75 feet.

I had a look at the maps for HRM by Design and for some reason they have the Sackville Street building listed as a potential heritage building.

hoser111 · #**572** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 4:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

...they have the Sackville Street building listed as a potential heritage building.

Oh yay! let's build a tower on top!!!

worldlyhaligonian · #**573** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 5:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

CBC News reported tonight that the CBC is looking to consolidate their operations and is considering 3 options: combine radio & TV at the Bell Rd. TV site; do the same, but at the Sackville & South Park radio site; or do the same in a new purpose-built building somewhere else. They also said that the CBC has asked HRM for permission to develop their properties.

I would love to see the CBC radio building added on to with a tower above. I really like that building and think it could be a real icon if developed properly.

I have always thought this as well. Black glass would be perfect, 9-14 stories taller. Would compliment the rest of the block.

worldlyhaligonian · #**574** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 5:53 AM**

Here's a good contest, who can do the best tower on top of this image!

sdm · #**575** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 1:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Here's a good contest, who can do the best tower on top of this image!

Go one step further, incorporate the YMCA lot as well.

Dmajackson · #**576** Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 10:35 PM**

If it wasn't for the viewplanes, height restriction, and ramparts by-law I'd say build a building about the same height as the Martello (?) next door.

But seeing that there is a strict height limit I'd say a three storey base with five floors above set back above it would work great there. They could build it on top of the existing building without much trouble I imagine.

One side thing they should do to help out traffic in the area is extend Annandale St (Park Lane Parking Street) to South Park and make it one way towards South Park. The existing CBC parking lot in the area could be converted into an entrance to some underground parking or a pocket park (preferable the first one).

In the future the YMCA could then be turned into a small mid-rise residential building.

sdm · #**577** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 1:34 PM**

News in allnovascotia that Dexel is proposing to build a residential building above city centre atlantic northern roof section.

Guess it will be 5 stories, 80-100 units.

JET · #**578** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 2:58 PM**

"News in allnovascotia that Dexel is proposing to build a residential building above city centre atlantic northern roof section"

VERY disappointing to hear that Dexel has new proposals while there is nothing happening with their plan for Greenvale School. JET

Dmajackson · #**579** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdm

News in allnovascotia that Dexel is proposing to build a residential building above city centre atlantic northern roof section.

Guess it will be 5 stories, 80-100 units.

So this is for the part facing Citadel Hill?

Not very tall but oh well I guess we can't expect much that close to Citadel Hill.

How tall is the current building around there?

sdm · #**580** Posted **Jan 27, 2009, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

So this is for the part facing Citadel Hill?

Not very tall but oh well I guess we can't expect much that close to Citadel Hill.

How tall is the current building around there?

except for Martello, less then 10 i believe. Something tells me there is a 70 foot height restriction