Vic Suites (Hollis & Morris) | 32 m | 10 fl | Complete - Page 32

resetcbu1 · #**621** Posted **Aug 14, 2011, 12:17 AM**

the view down hollis would be sweet if the alexander was in that view

.... what is up with that anyway?

Waye Mason · #**622** Posted **Aug 18, 2011, 2:06 AM**

Today... I like it a lot, especially the southern part of the building with the dark grey brick on Hollis.

Jstaleness · #**623** Posted **Aug 31, 2011, 11:13 PM**

Some of the red balcony glass is in. Looks strange right now but will hopefully improve once they are all in. I didn't have a camera when I drove by.

kph06 · #**624** Posted **Sep 1, 2011, 12:05 PM**

I snapped this one on the way to work this moring, there are more up on the back. I think in with the morning sun shining through them they looked great. I think it will break up the massive white wall on the harbour side.

kwajo · #**625** Posted **Sep 1, 2011, 12:28 PM**

I think the red glass is great, it's something bright and unique, plus it has great potential to make the building stand out in the skyline. I'd love to see more new development incorporate some bold colours or design choices around town.

halifaxboyns · #**626** Posted **Sep 2, 2011, 4:03 PM**

The colour choice worked out well. The red balconies really pop with the wall colours...I'm glad it worked as well as the rendering made me hope!

someone123 · #**627** Posted **Sep 2, 2011, 4:44 PM**

The red is interesting. I can't tell if I like it but I am happy that they went with something distinctive instead of a boring beige wall.

I hope we see more infill on this block. In this past this was where the city trailed off -- there were some parking lots and the mostly abandoned power plants and seawall. Today this is already a decent neighbourhood. Somebody who works in the NSP building for example could live in this new apartment building, shop at the farmers' market, etc., all within a couple blocks.

halifaxboyns · #**628** Posted **Sep 2, 2011, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

The red is interesting. I can't tell if I like it but I am happy that they went with something distinctive instead of a boring beige wall.

I hope we see more infill on this block. In this past this was where the city trailed off -- there were some parking lots and the mostly abandoned power plants and seawall. Today this is already a decent neighbourhood. Somebody who works in the NSP building for example could live in this new apartment building, shop at the farmers' market, etc., all within a couple blocks.

I agree completely - there is a lot of good density along Morris Street between Queen and Barrington as well and the redevelopment of the Y site has helped. Fenwick will be a good addition and I've always felt the streets just up from the Superstore would be a great opportunity site to encourage more multi. You'd end up with about the same size building as the VIC because of the viewplanes, but there are so many lots in those areas it would be worth it.

Haliwood · #**629** Posted **Sep 3, 2011, 11:12 AM**

I helped my friend move in to The Vic the other day and man, it's beautiful. This is one of the few new building I really love. They really though outside the box with this design.

Nice view too.

I have some info. about what's going to open on the 1st floor corner there, and it'll be a really nice addition to the area if it happens.

halifaxboyns · #**630** Posted **Sep 4, 2011, 10:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haliwood

I have some info. about what's going to open on the 1st floor corner there, and it'll be a really nice addition to the area if it happens.

I'm guessing it's either a starbucks (which I expected) or it might be the local coffee house that's been expanding around town 'Uncommon Ground'. I remember when the first one opened up on South Park Street, it became very popular as an anti-starbucks kinda thing. They've since added one to one of the towers downtown too, as I recall.

planarchy · #**631** Posted **Sep 4, 2011, 11:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I'm guessing it's either a starbucks (which I expected) or it might be the local coffee house that's been expanding around town 'Uncommon Ground'. I remember when the first one opened up on South Park Street, it became very popular as an anti-starbucks kinda thing. They've since added one to one of the towers downtown too, as I recall.

Uncommon Grounds has a location less than one block away on Barrington in the W Suites building, so I doubt they would add another. They've also closed at least one location in the past year or so downtown.

Last time I heard, there were no tenants yet, but interest from a well-known local restaurant owner and they are still trying to decide how to divide the space.

Jonovision · #**632** Posted **Sep 5, 2011, 3:52 PM**

Some pics from Thursday. I think the balconies look amazing. They are a perfect compliment to the rest of the building and truly make it pop.

someone123 · #**633** Posted **Sep 5, 2011, 4:51 PM**

They do look nice.

Still — to have a parking lot there but at least it's been cleaned up.

haligonia · #**634** Posted **Sep 5, 2011, 9:40 PM**

This building has surpassed all of my expectations. It's a perfect size for the area, it went up fairly quickly and it looks amazing. Kudos to Dexel for getting it done.

worldlyhaligonian · #**635** Posted **Sep 5, 2011, 9:48 PM**

Its amazing... I think that they should build on the lower lot, something using similar materials, but taller and thin.

Haliwood · #**636** Posted **Sep 6, 2011, 4:48 PM**

Fantastic, really. Great location too, right in the middle of everything.

halifaxboyns · #**637** Posted **Sep 6, 2011, 4:54 PM**

This is a project where I had my doubts...but it's really turned out well. The parking lot will probably get developed in the future, if NSP gets the right price for it and transportation around their office improves.

Would love to see a few more of these in and around Fenwick towers and the south end.

worldlyhaligonian · #**638** Posted **Sep 6, 2011, 5:42 PM**

If and when the Alexander happens, this area of southern downtown will be the best place to live in HRM. There is even a grocery store close by!

someone123 · #**639** Posted **Sep 6, 2011, 5:43 PM**

Right now that stretch of Lower Water is still a dead zone but we might see a development on the Cunard Block (WDCL) and perhaps the Alexander (no idea if that's dead now or what). 2-3 more developments would make this a neighbourhood rather than parking lots with the odd building. A really good development on the Cunard Block combined with the NSP development could also anchor Morris a bit, turning it into a "real" street for that last block.

someone123 · #**640** Posted **Sep 6, 2011, 5:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

If and when the Alexander happens, this area of southern downtown will be the best place to live in HRM. There is even a grocery store close by!

Too bad there's been no real news about this development for months (aside from I guess Keith Hall, which is good news -- that is a great heritage building). The Trillium was successful and the Alexander is practically identical; it seems like it should be viable.

I think it's really important to have solid stretches of development that looks good and have lots of activity. Lower Water Street right now is hit and miss and just doesn't really amount to anything. It doesn't take a lot of parking lots to make an area mediocre for pedestrians, which in turn limits the businesses that are supported, which makes it even worse...