[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Bosox]

The sign is still there (or at least as of yesterday). The previous proposed condo project was to be known as Orchard Hill I think. I suspect it is going to be another multi-res apartment development, although why we need more such stock in Moncton at present confounds me. Nice location however.
Wonder if anything will ever happen with the old Centennial Tavern property just down the road from this location? Another nice piece of real estate in the west end.

[mylesmalley]

There was talk when the tavern was closing that the lot would be rebuilt as apartments or condos. Nothing ever came of it though, obviously.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by Bosox

Not sure if this qualifies as a Downtown Development but does anyone know what is going up across from Centennial Park on St. George Blvd. near Dickson? Wooded area has been cleared and obviously ready for some type of development. At one time I believe a condo project was proposed for the site....not sure if that is still the case however.

I was about to ask this same question yesterday. Last time I looked, they were clearing land around the Orchard Hill sign. Funny, I drive by here everyday and even biked up & down here and never paid attention to was this sign was.

I know this lot had a For Sale sign for a while and if I remember correctly, Colliers' price tag was in the couple hundred thousand dollar mark.

https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=46....LqudGF69x_wG2NhsQ&cbp=12,133.67,,0,-4.13

[mmmatt]

Couple minor things:

City Hall appears to have been "white washed" in the past week. Don't know if some kind of coating was put on or if it was just cleaned really well, but it looks much better than before!

Also there is some improvement afoot at Jones Lake, on Parlee St (Old West End, near Hillcrest School). There had been a wooden gazebo at this spot for a time but the weather battered it into submission. It was torn down last year much to the sadness of folks like me who live nearby. However there is now a new gazebo going up and its being put on a very substantial base and landscaped very nicely with pavers and the like...huge improvement.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Ammn_guy

I was walking by the old DT pizza location(same block as the Freshii location) a few days ago, the door was open slightly and the interior was totally revamped, new tables etc with asian style lamps over each. Maybe the grill is still a go?

I moved this here from the "Retail Thread" because it pertains to the downtown core.

I hope you're right Ammn_guy, if the Izakaya Grill is still on, then the ground floor of this building will be completely occupied again:

- Freshii
- Mexicali Rosa's
- Izakaya Grill

This would be a very interesting and eclectic grouping of food service establishments which would serve as a solid anchor to the central downtown of the city. Now, if only the owner of the building would fix up the second and third floors……..

Regarding Freshii, here is their website - https://www.freshii.com/ca/home

[L'homard]

Hello boys and girls. I'm a long-time lurker, first time poster, impressed by the quality of the discourse here as well as the quality of the info posted.
I'm looking for the person who is setting up the Freshii here in Monkeytown. I walked down today and knocked on the door but there's no one home at the moment.
I also put out some feelers but no results yet.
I figure if anyone knows who this person is, you folks would!
Have a great Friday but an even better weekend!

[MonctonRad]

Welcome to the forums!

Sorry, I have no info regarding the franchisor for you. Ridgpoc seems to have the inside track on this file, perhaps you could PM him.

Whoever it is has some balls. Freshii is currently only located in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver so Moncton will definitely be the smallest market in Canada so far for this restaurant.

I definitely approve of the location at the corner of Main and Botsford where Terra Verde used to be. That is the absolute best location to put a Freshii franchise.......

[MonctonRad]

I drove down Main Street this evening and the Freshii banners are indeed up in the windows of the old Terra Verde location.

Also, the signage is now up for Japan Go! Izakaya Grill in the old DT Pizza location in the same building.

These will both be excellent additions to the developing restaurant district in the downtown east end.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I drove down Main Street this evening and the Freshii banners are indeed up in the windows of the old Terra Verde location.

Also, the signage is now up for Japan Go! Izakaya Grill in the old DT Pizza location in the same building.

These will both be excellent additions to the developing restaurant district in the downtown east end.

I found this website for JapanGo. Not sure if they're the same people working on the up and coming Moncton restaurant but there is a photo on the website which shows the outside sign and it looks a whole lot like the one on Main street. I'm impressed with the website and the menu looks really good. I'm so hoping that a decent sushi restaurant comes to town, the current sushi offerings in the city leave a lot to be desired.

Also, it seems like the only current location is in downtown Toronto.

From their website:

“Tiny ,cozy, a hole in the wall, for adventurous sushi lovers..”

Japango is distinguished for it’s elegant simplicity and purity of taste, method and appearance. Here at japango we have practiced and appreciated the Japanese ceramics, flavorings and even fresh fish from Japan.

[Nashe]

I'm not sure if this is a complaint or not, but... it sure seems like Moncton is being overrun by sushi and froyo. What does it mean?!?

I blame the millennials.

PS: When are they gonna build me a Panera Bread?

[mylesmalley]

Given the recent influx of immigrants to the area, I'm surprised we don't have a Korean restaurant yet.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

I'm not sure if this is a complaint or not, but... it sure seems like Moncton is being overrun by sushi and froyo. What does it mean?!?

I blame the millennials.

Overrun by sushi?! Hardly... Fast food though

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

PS: When are they gonna build me a Panera Bread?

Who are "they"?
Sorry but sometimes you get the impression on this forum that a city should get this or that store or chain restaurant. I agree that Panera Bread is good and all, but I doubt well see one in Moncton anytime soon just based on where they are located now...but you never know!. Besides, I'd much rather have something that adds to the quality and variety of genres in the city than another chain sandwich and soup place. Even better if it's a home grown place with a unique local twist on their food. This is what adds to the local culture and vibrancy of a city, not the panera's of the food world, Moncton has plenty of those. /rant

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Given the recent influx of immigrants to the area, I'm surprised we don't have a Korean restaurant yet.

Isaac's is a great Korean restaurant at the corner of St-George and Cameron. You should check it out Myles. And it's recently renovated. Same building as La Guitare musique store.

[chriskayTO]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

I'm not sure if this is a complaint or not, but... it sure seems like Moncton is being overrun by sushi and froyo. What does it mean?!?

I blame the millennials.

PS: When are they gonna build me a Panera Bread?

It's not just Moncton - here in Toronto there are several neighbourhoods with a real surplus of sushi and froyo, only over the past few years. Usually areas with lots of students.

[mylesmalley]

Well there's very clearly something going on at the corner of St George and Dixon. Not only is there a bunch of heavy equipment, but a pretty tall crane has been put up on the site. By the look of it, I wouldn't be shocked if we saw a 5-6 story building there.

Funny how there's been no announcement or publicity though.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Well there's very clearly something going on at the corner of St George and Dixon. Not only is there a bunch of heavy equipment, but a pretty tall crane has been put up on the site. By the look of it, I wouldn't be shocked if we saw a 5-6 story building there.

Very interesting! Here's hoping for a nice condo tower.

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Funny how there's been no announcement or publicity though.

I'm sure they didn't want to enrage the local citizenry. A surprise attack is much better………

EDIT:

Here's a blast from the past - the T&T article from 2006 re: the "Orchard Hill" condo project……..

Condo project rezoning denied: Developers have 'no current plans' to pursue 35-unit condo on southeast corner of St. George and Dickson boulevards
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Times & Transcript
By: Brent Mazerolle

This week marks a victory of sorts for Dickson Boulevard residents who have opposed the construction of a 35-unit mid-rise condominium development in their neighbourhood.

Moncton council unanimously voted to deny an Avide Developments application to extend a conditional rezoning agreement that would one day permit the company to build the upscale project, which was also stalled for market reasons.

"Avide doesn't have any firm plans to move forward at this time," deputy mayor Merrill Henderson said, "I move the application be denied."

Orchard Hill, aimed at well-to-do empty-nesters, was proposed for the southeast corner of St. George and Dickson Boulevards on three connected lots owned by Avide.

The project upset residents when it was first announced in the summer of 2003. To build, Atlantic People's Housing, as Avide was then known, needed the land rezoned. The land was made up of one lot on St. George zoned MU-1, which would allow a maximum of 24 units, and two lots on Dickson, zoned R1A, which would allow only single dwelling residences.

"It is the contention of the neighbours that any large project could hurt the character of the neighbourhood," said Jim Davidson, speaking on behalf of several area residents at Monday's meeting.

For the proposed condominium development to go ahead, the properties needed to be rezoned from R-1 and MU-1 to MU-2.

While council's move this week ensures the lots on Dickson never hold anything more than single dwellings, the lot on St. George can still be used for a 24-unit apartment building up to four storeys high.

Ken McPhee, Avide's general manager for land development, was satisfied with the turn of events, but said, "we reserve the right to come back with a new project for the land in the future."

[BlackYear]

My thoughts.

Crane is going up because of either a 4 story quick wood frame winter season build, or a 6 story cement condo build. So that's either a 24 or 36 unit on this site.

The foot print is small, and they kept the perimeter trees in place to keep to peace.

I'm not expecting much for this project other than something similar to the Dominion street condo project. If it is 6 story, that is massive news for this parcel of land.

However, if I was looking for a $200k 1000sqft condo, this project would appeal to me. big time!!!

[MonctonRad]

Given this quote from the 2006 T&T article, and the fact that there were no new requests for variance, I think this is what we're going to get:

While council's move this week ensures the lots on Dickson never hold anything more than single dwellings, the lot on St. George can still be used for a 24-unit apartment building up to four storeys high.

Underwhelming yes, but given the prominent location in the new west end on St. George Blvd across from Centennial Park and surrounded by trees overlooking Jonathon Creek, I'm hoping for a reasonably high quality build.....

[MonctonRad]

In the paper today that the building going up at the former Orchard Hill condo site on St George will be a four storey 19 unit apartment building…….

[josh_cat_eyes]

Whats the story on the Harper Street building? Is that still a go?