Development Rumours

[hfxtradesman]

These projects will be going through, and the TD will be the first to start in the spring my inside sources have said. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Canadian_Bacon]

^ Cool. Are they going through as is, or will there be any changes made before constructon begins?

Like you said, we'll just have to wait and see if they really do go ahead.

[Empire]

The problem with the RBC & BMO proposal is that plaza space has been eliminated. The current RBC & BMO "Towers" have plazas fronting on George St. This public space is a very important component in an urban landscape. Toronto, Montreal, Van, NYC etc. all have extensive plaza space associated with major financial buildings. In Halifax, every sq. in matters because buildings are limited in height. The end result is no public space because $$$ are so tight.

BMO Plaza
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...hgdM61fOinW2uwp7_IZQ&cbp=12,6.91,,0,2.35

[beyeas]

I actually think that the RBC one is pretty good (although I would like it even better if they altered the cladding to discriminate it better from the TD building). I also think that, aside from TD (which I woudl be shocked if it didn't go ahead next summer), the RBC one is far more likely to go ahead than BMO. This is both because I just don't see how there will be the market for it within the next 5 years (which is their expected time frame).

I am torn on the BMO one anyway. I hate the RBC building as is, but actually kind of like the BMO one. The only think that I really think is a major improvement with the new BMO version is how it relates to the corner of George and Lower Water. That is an improvement, but really I like the existing building.

[kph06]

There have been two articles in allnovascotia this week about this project, one about Beverly Miller's view, and one on Phil Pacey's. They are infuriating to read, it definitely sounds like they will be ramping up another propaganda campaign. To Pacey's credit he actually references the historic buildings in the area, Miller on the other hand just ranted and make herself look foolish. She tried to say the buildings would be nothing but an eyesore that could be seen from the moon because they are that big. Don Mills had a good feedback letter where he took her down a peg (if that's possible).

[mcmcclassic]

Originally Posted by kph06

There have been two articles in allnovascotia this week about this project, one about Beverly Miller's view, and one on Phil Pacey's. They are infuriating to read, it definitely sounds like they will be ramping up another propaganda campaign.

Phil Pacey was at Dal yesterday handing out Save the View Flyers to students in the Student Union Building. I missed it, but picked up a flyer (which by the way was full of skewed truths and outright lies).

I think the scariest part of him doing that is that a lot of the students at Dal are from out of province and buy into the "protect the view" stuff without actually thinking about the positive benefits for Halifax and the province if said structures were built (in this case the Convention Centre). I've talked to many Ontario students studying here and when I mention development in Halifax, they reply with "I like it being quaint here- leave Toronto for the development." These same students will likely leave for Ontario again in 4 years to live and work there.

The point I'm trying to make is that there is a lot of apathy and negativity towards the growth of Halifax from a student perspective because they see development as making us become Toronto when this simply isn't the case. More needs to be done to not only better educate these people, but to also entice them to stay here to live and work. Such developments can create jobs worth staying for and some students simply don't see that.

[dmac26]

CTV news was reporting tonight that the Joseph Howe building downtown is being sold. Potential for something here?

[kph06]

Originally Posted by dmac26

CTV news was reporting tonight that the Joseph Howe building downtown is being sold. Potential for something here?

Allnovascotia has talked about this a couple times in the past week or so, they are suggesting it might be renovated.

[hfxtradesman]

Originally Posted by kph06

Allnovascotia has talked about this a couple times in the past week or so, they are suggesting it might be renovated.

2012 the new owners will take over, they will be able to reno the building at around 40 million as is. Not sure if they can or will add height to this building. But on a funny note, this is all goverment offices and if the building gets renoed by late 2013, where will all the goverment workers go? Hmmm......

[worldlyhaligonian]

Scotia Square?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by hfxtradesman

2012 the new owners will take over, they will be able to reno the building at around 40 million as is. Not sure if they can or will add height to this building. But on a funny note, this is all goverment offices and if the building gets renoed by late 2013, where will all the goverment workers go? Hmmm......

Nova Centre?

[Dmajackson]

^Not by 2012.

CTV states it will take $36 million to renovate the building to current codes. I've known people who've worked in the building and even 5 years ago it was in bad condition.

An extra storey or two could make a positive impact in the downtown however I personally like the look of it right now and with all of the proposals around this site should be left alone.

[Dmajackson]

I've been digging through some websites and this rendering popped up for Horizon Court in Dartmouth. I don't knwo if it is one of the existing buildings or the rumoured one;


Credit: Terrain Group

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I've been digging through some websites and this rendering popped up for Horizon Court in Dartmouth. I don't knwo if it is one of the existing buildings or the rumoured one;


Credit: Terrain Group

Looks to me like the one that was already built by MicMac.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Looks to me like the one that was already built by MicMac.

It's ugly enough to be the new building. Hopefully the architect will look at the two existing buildings and realize what an ugly mess they are and adjust the new design accordingly.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Empire

It's ugly enough to be the new building. Hopefully the architect will look at the two existing buildings and realize what an ugly mess they are and adjust the new design accordingly.

I was thinking the same thing... third time has got to be a charm!

(I don't mind the first one in terms of form, but like most buildings in Halifax, its cladding could be better)

[someone123]

Yep, that's an old rendering of the existing 20 storey tower.

[FuzzyWuz]

So...any news on why the Dairy Queen on Spring Garden is suddenly closed?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by FuzzyWuz

So...any news on why the Dairy Queen on Spring Garden is suddenly closed?

There is a developer who was interested in building something on that corner but did not own the DQ lot. It's possible that it has been purchased.

[Northend Guy]

Originally Posted by someone123

There is a developer who was interested in building something on that corner but did not own the DQ lot. It's possible that it has been purchased.

Funny you should say that. About 2 weeks ago there was someone stopped by the office and said a relative of his was going to build an apartment building on Spring Garden near South Park. I can't for the life of me remember who he said it was, but it was a name I recognized. I believe he said they were intending to start construction next year. At the time I couldn't think of where that would be, but this site fits the bill.