Development Rumours

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by mcmcclassic

I agree- the new academic building that Dal is finishing up is 5 storeys tall (and is on the same block as this proposal). If it were 9-10 storeys tall instead of the 4 seen in the rendering it would build up the area nicely and not look out of place.

Hopefully the Needs currently on that piece of land relocates close to its current spot because so many students use that store.

Yeah, and there are two other little towers nearby.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Yeah, and there are two other little towers nearby.

There is a 10 story (condo?) building (The Carlyle) almost across the street from there that blends wonderfully with the area and doesn't look out of place at all (I live on one of the streets that runs North off of Coburg, so I pass it while walking my dog).

It has a nice setback off the street with mature trees, grass, and a wrought-iron fence, and the parking is underground with an entrance that is on the side street. It is 10 stories, and yet you hardly even notice that because of the mature trees that line between the sidewalk and the building. The building itself is maybe now a little dated, but the way in which they integrated it into the neighbourhood works quite well.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...iM-U62nV4OF-WZIA&cbp=12,338.98,,0,-24.11

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by beyeas

There is a 10 story (condo?) building (The Carlyle) almost across the street from there that blends wonderfully with the area and doesn't look out of place at all (I live on one of the streets that runs North off of Coburg, so I pass it while walking my dog).

It has a nice setback off the street with mature trees, grass, and a wrought-iron fence, and the parking is underground with an entrance that is on the side street. It is 10 stories, and yet you hardly even notice that because of the mature trees that line between the sidewalk and the building. The building itself is maybe now a little dated, but the way in which they integrated it into the neighbourhood works quite well.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...iM-U62nV4OF-WZIA&cbp=12,338.98,,0,-24.11

This is actually one of my favorite residential buildings in the city. I think it has a classic design and fits in really well. I would love to see more of them.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I really like The Carlyle... its far superior to the white and grey building a street over.

[alps]

The grey and white building looks awful ever since they tore out the garden this past year and paved it all.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...9099,-63.59086&spn=0.021406,0.03798&z=15

All that landscaping is now asphalt, right up to the bus shelter. Not sure why they did it -- the building does have underground parking and there are only a couple ground floor businesses.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by alps

The grey and white building looks awful ever since they tore out the garden this past year and paved it all.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...9099,-63.59086&spn=0.021406,0.03798&z=15

All that landscaping is now asphalt, right up to the bus shelter. Not sure why they did it -- the building does have underground parking and there are only a couple ground floor businesses.

Weird... I think that house should go and the lots consolidated... they could do some nice brick townhouses in front of the grey building down to the brick apartments.

[JET]

Originally Posted by JET

This should be classified as me starting a rumour, based on nothing but hope. Ferguson's Auto parts Ochterloney/Victoria Road is moving later this month. An excellent site for residential development. JET

A crew is removing the exterior cladding. My hope is that they will demo this and build something. The property behind is also boarded up. My hope is that someone has plans for both properties.

[Keith P.]

There is a large excavator parked in front of the former Ferguson's building tonight. I expect that is there to take the place down.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

There is a large excavator parked in front of the former Ferguson's building tonight. I expect that is there to take the place down.

Looks promising

[planarchy]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

There is a large excavator parked in front of the former Ferguson's building tonight. I expect that is there to take the place down.

Gone! Both buildings have been demolished.

[JET]

Originally Posted by planarchy

Gone! Both buildings have been demolished.

Sounds like there's a few of us roving around the darkside.
The building behind , on Victoria Rd is coming down this morning.
Nice parcel of land. Property is now chain fenced, must be some plan for it.

[beyeas]

Probably the most interesting thing at VivaCity that I was not aware of was the planned (and I should emphasize only planned) redevelopment of the blocks containing the BMO/RBC/TD bank buildings.

The one that we know of (the TD Bank recladding and extension) is only phase 1! They plan to have that completed in 3 years.

The then also own not only the RBC building (which is the next building down the hill), but also that entire block. And they own the BMO building, which is adjacent to the 1801 Hollis tower.

On the RBC block they will add height and reclad the RBC, and will build another tower on the same block, which will be attached at the base.

In the next phase they will also add to and reclad the BMO building.

The plan is for the 3 re-do's (TD, BMO and RBC) plus the new one to all be in the range of 20-25 stories (3 of the 4 were taller than 1801 Hollis). The grouping of buildings all had a continuous feel (use of glass) and were in some cases reshaped such that they were curved rather than the current boxes.

Obviously that is hugely speculative and subject to changes on their part, but would be an exciting grouping of buildings. When I pressed them (and said, I know that you can never plan with certainty given the markets, approvals etc) for a rough timeline they said they are currently planning for this to be done over a 15 year period.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Probably the most interesting thing at VivaCity that I was not aware of was the planned (and I should emphasize only planned) redevelopment of the blocks containing the BMO/RBC/TD bank buildings.

The one that we know of (the TD Bank recladding and extension) is only phase 1! They plan to have that completed in 3 years.

The then also own not only the RBC building (which is the next building down the hill), but also that entire block. And they own the BMO building, which is adjacent to the 1801 Hollis tower.

On the RBC block they will add height and reclad the RBC, and will build another tower on the same block, which will be attached at the base.

In the next phase they will also add to and reclad the BMO building.

The plan is for the 3 re-do's (TD, BMO and RBC) plus the new one to all be in the range of 20-25 stories (3 of the 4 were taller than 1801 Hollis). The grouping of buildings all had a continuous feel (use of glass) and were in some cases reshaped such that they were curved rather than the current boxes.

Obviously that is hugely speculative and subject to changes on their part, but would be an exciting grouping of buildings. When I pressed them (and said, I know that you can never plan with certainty given the markets, approvals etc) for a rough timeline they said they are currently planning for this to be done over a 15 year period.

If looks fantasic.

however it is very hard to redevelop building with tenants in place.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by sdm

If looks fantasic.

however it is very hard to redevelop building with tenants in place.

Yeah that was part of my question to them... and they more or less dodged it (not unexpectedly).

Definitely looks really really cool though!

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Yeah that was part of my question to them... and they more or less dodged it (not unexpectedly).

Definitely looks really really cool though!

Are there pictures anywhere? It looks like ramparts maximum is allowed at those locations (the map of post-bonus height is below). So it would actually be allowed by HRM by Design. Personally, I like the BMO tower as it is, but the Royal Bank tower appearance could only be improved by such a renovation (it would be difficult to make it look worse).

[sdm]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Yeah that was part of my question to them... and they more or less dodged it (not unexpectedly).



Definitely looks really really cool though!

Well its interesting that RBC is out there with a request for information on new premises in the downtown.

[spaustin]

It certainly was an impressive model to look at. I asked them what would become of the Champlain Building and Prenor Trust Building and they indicated that the facades would be retained (they were in on the model but you had to get behind the table to see them). The Prenor Trust is already a facade so no problem there. Looked like an impressive plan for a real financial centre, but it seems awfully optomistic. Given where vacancy rates currently are and that Nova Centre is likely to proceed, I can't imagine that amount of office space being needed Downtown.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by spaustin

It certainly was an impressive model to look at. I asked them what would become of the Champlain Building and Prenor Trust Building and they indicated that the facades would be retained (they were in on the model but you had to get behind the table to see them). The Prenor Trust is already a facade so no problem there. Looked like an impressive plan for a real financial centre, but it seems awfully optomistic. Given where vacancy rates currently are and that Nova Centre is likely to proceed, I can't imagine that amount of office space being needed Downtown.

No question it is impressive, but of the developments there tonight i am fearful that a vast number of them may end up just models if somethings proceed. Halifax is a very small office market, and if the office market is soft it makes it even tougher to hit the targets a number of developments will require.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Why would they reclad the BMO building??? Its beautiful the way it is... I agree with everything else, but think its a waste of money to reclad a great looking building!

That RBC tower seriously needs a reclad though.

[Jstaleness]

The RBC building no longer suits its location. In that area its the smallest "tower" of the group. Its skinny, short and dirtiest of the bunch. It could easily have some floors added and stay within height rules. If it were to be re-clad I think it would fit in again quite nicely.
I always hoped that someday Scotiabank would return and build a decent office tower back in its home town. Their main office is beautiful but doesn't boast much in our skyline.