[Halifax] Skye Halifax (1565 Granville) | 66 m | 2 x 21 fl | U/C

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Can the Halifax market support all the proposed hotels? UG, Salter, convention centre - that's a lot of new rooms, plus the four points Sheraton and the hotel on Salter next to the Brewery Market are also quite new.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Can the Halifax market support all the proposed hotels? UG, Salter, convention centre - that's a lot of new rooms, plus the four points Sheraton and the hotel on Salter next to the Brewery Market are also quite new.

I wonder this also. I wonder if the hotel tower could be another residential tower. Maybe one tower could be rental and the other condo. The more residential development downtown the better.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Can the Halifax market support all the proposed hotels? UG, Salter, convention centre - that's a lot of new rooms, plus the four points Sheraton and the hotel on Salter next to the Brewery Market are also quite new.

Short answer No. Long answer No.

There is close 1,400 hotel rooms proposed for downtown.

The first few floors of International Place are rumoured to be hotel. Trade centre will feature 400, Salter 100, Queenslanding 250 etc.

And that doesn't even count the suburban options

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by sdm

Short answer No. Long answer No.

There is close 1,400 hotel rooms proposed for downtown.

The first few floors of International Place are rumoured to be hotel. Trade centre will feature 400, Salter 100, Queenslanding 250 etc.

And that doesn't even count the suburban options

But if the new convention centre were built - wouldn't larger conferences see the need to use all those rooms? I'm just thinking out loud here and it does assume Nova Centre is built; but I know when big conventions hit here in Calgary it's tough to find a room and there are lots of hotels around DT. The Delta Bow Valley I can see out my condo window, the Marriot, the Hyatt, not to mention the Westin and Sheraton in Eau Claire. Then there is the Sandman just on the edge of downtown plus Best Western, Holiday Inn and the new one (the legermain).

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

But if the new convention centre were built - wouldn't larger conferences see the need to use all those rooms? I'm just thinking out loud here and it does assume Nova Centre is built; but I know when big conventions hit here in Calgary it's tough to find a room and there are lots of hotels around DT. The Delta Bow Valley I can see out my condo window, the Marriot, the Hyatt, not to mention the Westin and Sheraton in Eau Claire. Then there is the Sandman just on the edge of downtown plus Best Western, Holiday Inn and the new one (the legermain).

I enjoy the thought of Halifax becoming an increasingly more popular destination that will require more hotel rooms. I think that this is possible with the proper promotion and amenities that will attract visitors.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I enjoy the thought of Halifax becoming an increasingly more popular destination that will require more hotel rooms. I think that this is possible with the proper promotion and amenities that will attract visitors.

I sincerely believe it will happen - if all the right pieces fall into place. So mainly the convention centre, but also economic growth (more investment and companies locating to Halifax), improved air connections and population growth.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by sdm

Short answer No. Long answer No.

There is close 1,400 hotel rooms proposed for downtown.

It is too bad that Halifax hasn't gotten any major new hotels in a long time. It's been a steady stream of smaller hotels, and not many interesting boutique-style hotels either...

I do not think that 1,400 hotel rooms will be built downtown but I do think that demand will vary depending on what happens. For example, there will be demand for more hotel rooms if a new convention centre is built.

[someone123]

There was another article tonight in Allnovascotia about this development.

Navid Saberi is again stating that he does not intend to sell the land and is hiring architects to tweak the design. New renderings could be out in a few months.

The development agreement has about a year and half left before it requires an extension.

I'd be really happy to see this one go up obviously, though this isn't the first time we've heard that it will be about a year...

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by someone123

There was another article tonight in Allnovascotia about this development.

Navid Saberi is again stating that he does not intend to sell the land and is hiring architects to tweak the design. New renderings could be out in a few months.

The development agreement has about a year and half left before it requires an extension.

I'd be really happy to see this one go up obviously, though this isn't the first time we've heard that it will be about a year...

I would love to see it go up... but I have my doubts after seeing all the issues that UG are having with their other condo developments and the legal battles surrounding some of them. They seem to be up to their necks in other stuff right, so I don't see how they could chew more off, plus in the worst case they may have shot themselves in the foot in the condo world given those issues.

Here's hoping I am wrong.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by someone123

There was another article tonight in Allnovascotia about this development.

Navid Saberi is again stating that he does not intend to sell the land and is hiring architects to tweak the design. New renderings could be out in a few months.

The development agreement has about a year and half left before it requires an extension.

I'd be really happy to see this one go up obviously, though this isn't the first time we've heard that it will be about a year...

Its an interesting article but i certainly see there is some questions that fall from it.

I didnt think one could alter plans for a building, unless they are to meet the building code, without going through the process again?

[DigitalNinja]

Maybe the will be shrinking it down to HRM by design height limits...

[halifaxboyns]

I think there are a few planners from HRM that post on here, they can correct me if I'm wrong: when I worked there as a tech, there was a typical clause in every development agreement that allowed for some limited variations to the plan without going back to council for an approval. However, it's been so long since I used HRM/Nova Scotia rules that I'm very rusty with DA interpretation.

So if I remember correctly; they could do things like change the layout of the floor and some minor changes to the building look and appearance; so long as it didn't make the building taller or change the overall density.

Building additional hotels at this point is probably not the best idea, given the current economy. I wouldn't want to speculate on the outcome of the convention centre and build a hotel assuming it would be built either. However, if the convention centre were a go and then the stadium went ahead (and a CFL team obtained); I would speculate there would be increased demand for hotels once they were both operating.

Unfortunately, that's in the future and very much still an unknown.

[kph06]

I read the article and whenever Saberi was quoted he came off very arrogant. Considering United Gulf's current issues and Greater Home's reputation I would say he's a little over confident. He must have lots of money in his coffers to support all the land he owns and the issues he comes across when developing it. I love this proposal, but from what I've seen in the field and in the papers with this group I am very cautious to get excited until I see foundations going in.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by kph06

I read the article and whenever Saberi was quoted he came off very arrogant. Considering United Gulf's current issues and Greater Home's reputation I would say he's a little over confident. He must have lots of money in his coffers to support all the land he owns and the issues he comes across when developing it. I love this proposal, but from what I've seen in the field and in the papers with this group I am very cautious to get excited until I see foundations going in.

What has recently come up in Bedford has me questioning just how much money UG has left to spend. As part of the proposal for 827 Bedford Highway a sidewalk was requested by members of the public and the NWPAC. When asked about including one the landowner (UG) said they did not have enough money to install the necesairy infrastructure. This might just be a lie to avoid spending more money out of their pockets but if they really are low on funds it would be smart financially to sell of some land they own here in Bedford to fund the projects that are already approved (2 here in Bedford, and 2 in Halifax at least).

[someone123]

I believe some developments have been modified in the past after getting their development agreement without going through the whole process again, but I have no idea what modifications are allowed.

I agree that it still seems a bit sketchy - he's been saying it will take about another year for three years now.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by sdm

Its an interesting article but i certainly see there is some questions that fall from it.

I didnt think one could alter plans for a building, unless they are to meet the building code, without going through the process again?

When projects hit the Development Agreement phase, they are rarely shovel ready. It doesn't make sense for a developer to pay an Architect and Consulting Engineers to put together Construction Documents for a project that isn't a sure thing yet. Instead, work is typically done to test the program areas and design constraints to see if something is workable.

Once a Development Agreement is reached, usually the project must then be developed to the point where it can be tendered and awarded.

What we've seen to-date is likely similar to what the end result will be (provided this goes ahead), but is not going to be exactly the same. Development Agreements usually allow for some variance from the drawings submitted, with the absolute requirements stated in the document itself (drawings are usually appended as illustrations of intent, but are often not legally binding)

[Keith P.]

CBC News ran a Pam Berman report tonight -- nothing new really, based on the soon-to-expire date for start of construction. However, it got turned into a platform for Phil Pacey to gloat; stated that buildings this tall cannot get financing, hence no tall buildings should be approved. Tag-teamed with Sloane and similar gloating -- remember, she opposed this development. Of course, nobody mentioned the Heritage Trust's delay tactics on this, dragging them to UARB, holding up the project by over a year. Shamefully bad reporting.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

CBC News ran a Pam Berman report tonight -- nothing new really, based on the soon-to-expire date for start of construction. However, it got turned into a platform for Phil Pacey to gloat; stated that buildings this tall cannot get financing, hence no tall buildings should be approved. Tag-teamed with Sloane and similar gloating -- remember, she opposed this development. Of course, nobody mentioned the Heritage Trust's delay tactics on this, dragging them to UARB, holding up the project by over a year. Shamefully bad reporting.

I wish I had heard it... pisses me off how one sided CBC1 and The Coast (in particular) have been about development issues. It is a sad state of affairs when The Chronically Horrible have the most balanced Op/Ed page!

[worldlyhaligonian]

Yeah, buildings like this would have been financed had the construction been held up for so long by the opponents until a recession hit.

Otherwise, as I understand the financing agreement would be a contract that couldn't be broken by either party.

Propaganda. I consider myself left wing, these folks are out to lunch.

[someone123]

I did not see this story but United Gulf has other issues. Really the situation is somewhat complicated and it has nothing to do with how tall the buildings are. If it were impossible to finance tall buildings then there wouldn't be multiple highrises under construction in Halifax right now.

It's also worth noting that United Gulf can apply for an extension and it would very likely pass a full council vote that would likely not be subject to appeals. It's unclear what will happen with this project but the developers maintain that they want to move forward, and plenty of other projects in the city have been put on hold for many years before ultimately being built.

It would be interesting to get more real behind-the-scenes information about the developer (to know what work they have actually done for this project). Nicer renderings would be good as well.