[Halifax] The Vuze at South Village (Fenwick) | 106 m | 36/10/8 fl | U/C

[Jstaleness]

2011-2013 could be very good for Halifax/Dartmouth. Fenwick getting it's update, Kings Wharf Tower hopefully starting in there and finally the most recent Horizon III. Throw in the old Bayview Condo's Development and Halifax will have a nice tower to see in all 4 corners.

[Jonovision]

Fenwick Place plans getting final touches

Cranes arrive in 2012


By BILL POWER

Business Reporter

Construction cranes will appear at the Fenwick Place site in Halifax in 2012, but in the meantime lots is happening with the estimated $150-million renovation and construction project.

Joe Metlege at Templeton Properties Ltd. said recently that architects are fina­lizing assorted details of an entire gutting and recladding of the 34-storey building that has dominated the skyline in the city’s south end for almost four decades.

“We’re also working out details for the entire site that includes two new build­ings, of eight and 10 storeys, and a dynam­ic commercial and retail concept that will bring a vibrant village atmosphere to the ground level and triple the existing pop­ulation density of the entire property," Metlege said.

Ten per cent of residential space has been set aside for affordable housing and a ground-level public art garden and groundbreaking environmental features are part of the project.

“The entire site, when rebuilt, including about 100,000 square feet of street-level commercial and retail space and two new buildings, will consume about the same amount of energy currently used by the existing tower."

A unique challenge of the reconstruct­ion of Fenwick Place will be the logistics of keeping as many tenants in place as possible as work begins, tentatively begin­ning early summer 2012.

The project was approved by the city in February.

“The current plan will see us rebuilding 10 floors at a time, beginning at the top and working our way down. We’re just beginning to work out the logistics of how this will unfold."

There are now about 274 units in the existing tower and the reconstructed building will feature about 349 units, including luxury penthouse apartments.

The existing tower will be basically stripped down to bare concrete in phases while reconstruction is underway.

Available space in the tower will be increased, in part, by extending the exist­ing facade and available living space out­ward by an average of four feet.

“The reconstruction of the tower is a unique undertaking in its own right that is generating lots of industry interest across the country," Metlege said. “As far as we can determine, a rebuild of this magnitude has never before happened in Canada."

The other two buildings will be the second and third phases of the project to be built over about seven to 10 years after renovations conclude at the tower.

“It is a lengthy build-out that minimizes disruption of the neighbourhood as much as possible," said Metlege.

He estimated that during construction, the entire redevelopment of the Fenwick Place property will generate about half a billion dollars in economic spinoffs, and when completed, will add about $1 mil­lion annually in tax revenue to the munic­ipality.

Templeton Properties purchased the former Dalhousie University residence in 2009.

The university announced last May it will build a new $33-million student resi­dence with space for 300 people on Le­Marchant Street across from Risley Hall near the arena.

That complex is supposed to be ready for occupancy in September 2013. Three of four university-owned buildings at this location are slated for demolition, while one will be relocated on campus.

([email protected])

[someone123]

I thought that the other two buildings would be constructed before the tower renovations took place. I kind of wish they could be done in parallel. The site around Fenwick is really ugly.

Looks aside, the increased population density will be great -- enough to kick things up a notch around the Queen/Fenwick area. As I've mentioned before it would also be great if the Sobeys were overhauled and became an urban format store with parking below and apartments/condos above (Green Street strip mall should be redeveloped as well). If the Infirmary lands are also properly developed we could see tons of people living in this area and a strong commercial strip along Queen from Sackville to Victoria Road.

[Jonovision]

[fenwick16]

I wonder how long it will be before we see a start on the re-clad and building extension? Has the garage renovation been completed?

[q12]

Is this going to be a mix of apartments and condos?

[Haliguy]

Owner: Fenwick Place work unique in CanadaNovember 15, 2011 - 5:55pm By JOANN ALBERSTAT Business Reporter 0
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‘Challenging’ upgrades include new tower, townhouses

South-end Halifax residents will begin to see signs in January that a major redevelopment of Fenwick Place is getting underway, with big construction cranes expected on site by April.

Joe Metlege, vice-president of Templeton Properties Ltd., said Tuesday the preliminary work, starting in the new year, includes reconfiguring the front lobby of the existing Fenwick Place tower.

“Essentially, what we’re doing is relocating the lobby from the side of the building to the front of the building,” he said in an interview.

Structural upgrades to the underground parking lot are also needed before the estimated $150-million development begins.

Templeton, which owns the property and is lead developer, has assembled a design team that spans from coast to coast. The lead architect is Tomasz Anielski of AVRP Architecture in Vancouver, with engineering consultants Halsall Associates of Toronto (structural and envelope) and M&R Engineering of Halifax (mechanical and electrical).

“No development in the country has been done like this before,” Metlege said of the tower redevelopment and additions. “It’s very exciting and very challenging but we’re on the right track so far.”

After it’s redeveloped, Fenwick Place will have 520 units and 100,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, compared to the current 340 units and 30,000 square feet.

Templeton, a family-owned business headed by Andrew Metlege, Joe’s father, purchased the former Dalhousie University residence in 2009.

The development’s first phase is construction of a 34-storey residential tower next to the existing structure, which is the same height. The work, expected to take 18 months to complete, includes building six new townhouses on Fenwick Street.

The younger Metlege said the company plans to apply before the first of January for the building permits needed for the new tower.

The overall project received approval from the city in February.

The next two phases will involve gutting and recladding the existing 34-storey tower, which will be linked to its new neighbour. The top 19 floors will be renovated first, followed by the bottom part of the building. The work on each section is expected to take about a year.

“The concrete floors are the only thing that’s staying. Everything else is new,” the vice-president said.

Existing apartments will also be made larger, he added.

Because the existing tower is being redeveloped in two parts, up to half the building may still have tenants during construction.

“We’re hoping to maintain as much occupancy as possible. We’ll have to see at the time of construction how practical it is.”

Tenants who aren’t able to renew their leases during construction may be able to move to one of Templeton’s other properties in the area, Metlege said.

“We’re definitely interested in working with the existing tenants and making sure we support the transition. We’d like them to come back and be our future tenants.”

The project also includes a commercial-retail component that will be part of two new eight- and 10-storey buildings. Construction is slated to begin once the residential development is almost complete.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

South-end Halifax residents will begin to see signs in January that a major redevelopment of Fenwick Place is getting underway, with big construction cranes expected on site by April.

That is awesome news. As others have stated, this one can be a game-changer in Halifax, as it removes a development sore-spot for people and turns it into a building to be proud of rather than embarrassed by, especially since we are unlikely to get another building over 30 stories in the new future.

When I was in Shanghai I was amazed by the stat that one person told, which is that the city has more than 4000 buildings over 30 stories!! It was cool as well to see the new Shanghai Tower (which will be the world's 2nd tallest building at 630 meters) being built next to the Shanghai World Financial Centre (the 3rd tallest) and Jinmao Tower (8th tallest).

[mcmcclassic]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

The development’s first phase is construction of a 34-storey residential tower next to the existing structure, which is the same height. The work, expected to take 18 months to complete, includes building six new townhouses on Fenwick Street.

The younger Metlege said the company plans to apply before the first of January for the building permits needed for the new tower.

Up until now I haven't heard of a second 34-storey tower for the Fenwick site, yet this part of the article indicates Fenwick could be getting a twin tower....

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by mcmcclassic

Up until now I haven't heard of a second 34-storey tower for the Fenwick site, yet this part of the article indicates Fenwick could be getting a twin tower....

I think that is just a typo, it is referring to the 33 foot addition to the tower happening on the fenwick street side. It will essentially be building another tower, it just happens to be back to back with the existing structure.

[kwajo]

It's their method of expanding the current tower while still having occupancy. Techinically they are building a second tower adjacent to Fenwick, then gradually linking the floors of the two in order to create a single, unified building.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by kwajo

It's their method of expanding the current tower while still having occupancy. Techinically they are building a second tower adjacent to Fenwick, then gradually linking the floors of the two in order to create a single, unified building.

Atleast we should still see the tallest tower crane in Halifax history to build it

[Pete Crawford]

Haha, if they start with the top 17 floors for the re-clad it will look massively awkward for a year. Stunning tower on the top-half, and grubby old Fenwick on the bottom.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by beyeas

That is awesome news. As others have stated, this one can be a game-changer in Halifax, as it removes a development sore-spot for people and turns it into a building to be proud of rather than embarrassed by, especially since we are unlikely to get another building over 30 stories in the new future.

Yep, it is great news. There could be two 30+ storey towers under construction simultaneously: Fenwick and King's Wharf. The height phobia will hopefully subside a bit when people see that it's possible to have highrises and nice busy street level development that integrates well with existing buildings.

Ideally this will be paired with a major redevelopment of the Queen Street Sobeys area. It could almost be considered an extension of the downtown given that there will soon be some significant buildings built along Queen as far as Morris.

I think Halifax will feel like a much larger city in a few years' time. There are so many new up-and-coming areas that are going to be great spots to live in and interesting to explore. Halifax is very lucky to have the good "bones", character, and public space of a large-ish 18th/19th century city; it just needs to fill in a little.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by someone123

Halifax is very lucky to have the good "bones", character, and public space of a large-ish 18th/19th century city; it just needs to fill in a little.

I've been thinking the same thing, in particular how fortunate we all are to witness what will be a unique economic fruition. It's not often one gets to see a smaller, yet historical, downtown area virtually double in size --because this is potentially what we are looking at here.

I'm being optimistic, but as these current in-progress and future developments show, not overly so. This enthusiasm is realistic.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Owner: Fenwick Place work unique in CanadaNovember 15, 2011 - 5:55pm By JOANN ALBERSTAT Business Reporter 0
Select ratingCancel ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesomeCancel ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome
No votes yet
‘Challenging’ upgrades include new tower, townhouses

South-end Halifax residents will begin to see signs in January that a major redevelopment of Fenwick Place is getting underway, with big construction cranes expected on site by April.

Joe Metlege, vice-president of Templeton Properties Ltd., said Tuesday the preliminary work, starting in the new year, includes reconfiguring the front lobby of the existing Fenwick Place tower.

“Essentially, what we’re doing is relocating the lobby from the side of the building to the front of the building,” he said in an interview.

Structural upgrades to the underground parking lot are also needed before the estimated $150-million development begins.
.
.
.

Thanks for posting the story - it is very exciting news.

I have a question for anyone with additional information - I thought that the structural upgrades to the parking lot were started almost 2 years ago. Wouldn't the upgrades be almost finished by now?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by mcmcclassic

Up until now I haven't heard of a second 34-storey tower for the Fenwick site, yet this part of the article indicates Fenwick could be getting a twin tower....

Has there been amendment to Case 15937? If not, the tallest building in the redevelopment is 9 storeys.

Case 15937
http://www.halifax.ca/Council/agendasc/documents/100309ca1111.pdf

[Jstaleness]

Wasn't there a 24 storey as well or has that portion not been approved yet?

[someone123]

I thought this project was just the Fenwick improvements plus a couple of 8 or 9 storey buildings.

Some time ago there was a 19 storey proposal for South Street but it got cut down to 9 or 10 -- that is St. James Place.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by someone123

I thought this project was just the Fenwick improvements plus a couple of 8 or 9 storey buildings.

Some time ago there was a 19 storey proposal for South Street but it got cut down to 9 or 10 -- that is St. James Place.

It is the couple 8 or 9 story buildings plus the "2nd 34 story tower" referenced above which is the addition to the existing tower which is being significantly expanded in addition to the re-cladding of the overall structure.