[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[someone123]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

The only problem is we'd be left with another Phil Pacey '6 stories works' building that didn't work and didn't contribute as much tax revenue. Just day dreaming I guess...but I suspect the feds will contribute the money. I don't really think they take the Taxpayers Federation seriously.

A mixed-use development is much better for the downtown.

The Taxpayers' Federation is not to be taken at face value because their mandate is pretty much purely to get the government to spend less money. All they do is say "no, no, no" -- they don't take a step back and look at the merits of government spending in any meaningful way.

[-Harlington-]

I always thought that once the new WTCC is made that they should expande and renovate the existing metro centre but then when i looked at the layout of the ice surface i realized it wouldn't really work to well or cost way to much

[bluenoser]

oops this was a post in the wrong thread...

[CorbeauNoir]

Originally Posted by someone123

A mixed-use development is much better for the downtown.

I just wish residential use was more thoroughly integrated in it. The last thing downtown needs right now is more office space.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by CorbeauNoir

I just wish residential use was more thoroughly integrated in it. The last thing downtown needs right now is more office space.

Maybe not right now - but at some point it will. Either the economy will come back and with the right investment, inspire growth or there will be a change in policy that pushes office development back to the core. I expect the latter will take way more time than economic conditions to change.

[CorbeauNoir]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Maybe not right now - but at some point it will. Either the economy will come back and with the right investment, inspire growth or there will be a change in policy that pushes office development back to the core. I expect the latter will take way more time than economic conditions to change.

And what if neither happen with regard to the downtown core?

The best incentive to bring businesses downtown is to bring people downtown.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by CorbeauNoir

And what if neither happen with regard to the downtown core?

The best incentive to bring businesses downtown is to bring people downtown.

Yes I agree and I guess I forgot that point in my post - well spotted.

[someone123]

A photo of the Nova Centre site from BlaiseM on flickr:


Source

Looking forward to news about federal funding. If this proceeds it will be huge for the city. The upper lot has been vacant for as long as I can remember.

[halifaxboyns]

I have finally gotten a chance to upload my photo tour of Halifax; I got a shot of this site as it was becoming night - can't wait to see this move forward.

Just to continue my thought (which I thank CorbeauNoir for pointing out the one thing I forgot) - I would agree with him. If office demand in the downtown core is low, then residential development should be the priority but I would be more focused and say that mixed use would be the goal (commercial on the ground floor with resdiential above).

Once the budget issues and economy get on track and HRM has the money; i'd like to see them reduce some of the property taxes in the core for a period of 3 years as a test. I suspect that if it did that as a long term strategy (combined with the suggestion I made earlier of restricting parking in suburban areas for commercial offices); you would see office development return to the core. Granted, with that will have to be better transit.

The other thing you might see is some big box retail start to be attracted either back to the core or to what I call the core 'periphery'. Someone earlier mentioned that they were felt something like a home sense or a winners would do well in downtown once there was more population in the core. I would have to agree with that and I suspect that in the next 5 years once many of the residential projects go forward - we might see it. It will all depend on what affect Nova Centre has on downtown (whether it creates a lot of confidence to build or just a little).

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I have finally gotten a chance to upload my photo tour of Halifax; I got a shot of this site as it was becoming night - can't wait to see this move forward.

Just to continue my thought (which I thank CorbeauNoir for pointing out the one thing I forgot) - I would agree with him. If office demand in the downtown core is low, then residential development should be the priority but I would be more focused and say that mixed use would be the goal (commercial on the ground floor with resdiential above).

Once the budget issues and economy get on track and HRM has the money; i'd like to see them reduce some of the property taxes in the core for a period of 3 years as a test. I suspect that if it did that as a long term strategy (combined with the suggestion I made earlier of restricting parking in suburban areas for commercial offices); you would see office development return to the core. Granted, with that will have to be better transit.

The other thing you might see is some big box retail start to be attracted either back to the core or to what I call the core 'periphery'. Someone earlier mentioned that they were felt something like a home sense or a winners would do well in downtown once there was more population in the core. I would have to agree with that and I suspect that in the next 5 years once many of the residential projects go forward - we might see it. It will all depend on what affect Nova Centre has on downtown (whether it creates a lot of confidence to build or just a little).

The Bay should establish a small location downtown with all of their more exclusive lines. Its great that Roots is downtown.

We need a Lacoste store.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

The Bay should establish a small location downtown with all of their more exclusive lines. Its great that Roots is downtown.

We need a Lacoste store.

The Bay, Lacoste - heck I'd even go for a winners at this point. If the average income in Halifax rises, I'd be in favour of a Holt store, but I don't think it will rise to that level for another 20 years.

[hollistreet]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

The Bay, Lacoste - heck I'd even go for a winners at this point. If the average income in Halifax rises, I'd be in favour of a Holt store, but I don't think it will rise to that level for another 20 years.

Holt's attempted to come to Halifax back in the mid to late 1990's. They wanted to open on SGR but I heard from another high end SGR merchant that the owners (then) of Mills managed to keep them away. I had an opportunity to have a one on one chat with Harry Rosen about 9 or 10 years ago and asked him if he had ever considered coming to Halifax and he said that they would need the city to have a population in excess of 700,000 to consider it.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by hollistreet

Holt's attempted to come to Halifax back in the mid to late 1990's. They wanted to open on SGR but I heard from another high end SGR merchant that the owners (then) of Mills managed to keep them away. I had an opportunity to have a one on one chat with Harry Rosen about 9 or 10 years ago and asked him if he had ever considered coming to Halifax and he said that they would need the city to have a population in excess of 700,000 to consider it.

That number for Harry Rosen surprises me. I would've thought it be about 600,000; but I guess it's not really an issue (it's only 100K). I suspect Holt may take a run at Halifax again if the economics support it, but whether they would end up on Spring Garden Road is another matter.

Personally, I'd actually like to see them end up somewhere on Barrington Street, I'm just not sure where. If the Province were to let them move into the old Eaton's space (Prince and Barrington) that would be amazing - it would totally change that corner. Plus that way Mills could chill out.

[hollistreet]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

That number for Harry Rosen surprises me. I would've thought it be about 600,000; but I guess it's not really an issue (it's only 100K). I suspect Holt may take a run at Halifax again if the economics support it, but whether they would end up on Spring Garden Road is another matter.

Personally, I'd actually like to see them end up somewhere on Barrington Street, I'm just not sure where. If the Province were to let them move into the old Eaton's space (Prince and Barrington) that would be amazing - it would totally change that corner. Plus that way Mills could chill out.

I can only tell you what Harry himself told me. That was 10 years or so ago and now his son is running the show so maybe the numbers are different.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

That number for Harry Rosen surprises me. I would've thought it be about 600,000; but I guess it's not really an issue (it's only 100K). I suspect Holt may take a run at Halifax again if the economics support it, but whether they would end up on Spring Garden Road is another matter.

Personally, I'd actually like to see them end up somewhere on Barrington Street, I'm just not sure where. If the Province were to let them move into the old Eaton's space (Prince and Barrington) that would be amazing - it would totally change that corner. Plus that way Mills could chill out.

It wouldn't be able to be in the Old Eatons space it's all government offices now.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

It wouldn't be able to be in the Old Eatons space it's all government offices now.

Yup; I know - but you'd be surprised what you can do with the right demand and a lot of money.

They'd only be able to move in if the province moved out; but I'm sure they could convert the space back. But I doubt they'd go there if they saw the street now (I know I wouldn't).

Another spot which might work (depending on how it grows in the next five years) would be Quinpool or potentially Agricola if the interest in redevelopment on that street is as high as I suspect it is.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

It wouldn't be able to be in the Old Eatons space it's all government offices now.

Govt needs all the revenue it can get so I'm sure 2 floors of TIR bureaucrats could find another home in exchange for some Holt gold. Besides, govt should downsize so they should not need this space.

[sdm]

Convention centre deadline extended

By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Wed, Jan 12 - 8:28 PM

The Dexter government says there’s a 90-day extension to the Saturday deadline for a Halifax convention centre deal.

The province and city are waiting for Ottawa’s response to a request for $47 million toward the facility’s $159-million construction and financing cost. That formal request was made just a month ago, after Halifax regional council approved a deal with the province.
Developer Rank Inc. had locked in the price until Saturday, the deadline for signing the contract for the project. Premier Darrell Dexter said Wednesday that the price and other terms are now good for another three months.

“It is to be expected that these deadlines are capable of moving a little bit,” the premier said after an event in Cole Harbour.

“It’s actually a sign that you have parties that want to work together when they are able to say, ‘OK, we’re making considerable progress here, we need more time.’ ”

Rank spokesman Joe Ramia said the deadline has moved but wouldn’t confirm the 90 days.

“I know we’re being flexible with them in trying to finalize this deal. That’s all I can tell you,” Ramia said.

“Right now, we’re holding the price for them.”

The convention centre would be part of a bigger development for the former Halifax Herald property in downtown Halifax that would cost in the range of $500 million in total. It would include a hotel, retail space and office tower.

Ramia said he didn’t know what impact the extension may have on the anticipated dates for the start and completion of construction. The province has said the centre would open in January 2015.

“We haven’t assessed that yet,” Ramia said. “We’re just working with our contractors now, as we speak.”

Dexter said he thinks the province has made a good case to the federal government to make the money available through two infrastructure programs.

“I don’t take anything for granted, but I assume that having the province put forward that program to the federal government, that they will agree to fund it,” he said.

“If there’s anything to be said about this, it’s that negotiations are going very well, that we’re satisfied with the progress that is being made, and we’ve agreed to extend the deadline for completion of the actual contractual arrangements.”

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, the province’s federal political minister, wasn’t available for comment Wednesday, but spokeswoman Andrea MacDonald referred to an opinion piece MacKay submitted to The Chronicle Herald.

“Our government will ensure due diligence is applied to evaluate the business case for the centre, and a final decision will be made in due course,” MacKay wrote.

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly said he’s not particularly worried about the three-month delay affecting the convention centre decision.

The mayor acknowledged he had heard the developer was going to be flexible with the signing deadline.

Kelly said city hall officials “have had time to analyze the information and move forward with an informed decision, and the province certainly has had time. It’s only fair to allow the federal government to have the same courtesy.”

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

The Bay, Lacoste - heck I'd even go for a winners at this point. If the average income in Halifax rises, I'd be in favour of a Holt store, but I don't think it will rise to that level for another 20 years.

I could see J Crew fitting in on SGR... and Kohl's has an urban format store format aimed at downtown condo dweller's that might work well downtown.

[Grav]

Some higher end stores would be great downtown. It would be "big box" but without the "box" part or that tacky "lifestyle" architecture. I still think they should give the Bell Aliant call center in Scotia Square the boot and turn that back into retail space. There is alot more room there than any of the smaller older buildings on Barrington could offer. Maybe convert the old WTCC into retail space too. I think the old WTCC with all of its brick and brass would make a great high end 1970's looking shopping mall.