Development Rumours

[JET]

this morning I noticed fencing around the closed Tim Hortons on Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth. It's been empty for some time, would be good to see something there

a construction fence and a port a potty, hopefully there is something going in there

[Dmajackson]

Two new development rumours to mention tonight thanks to AllNovaScotia.com.

1) Clark Wilkins has announced his intentions to redevelop 6-14 Victoria Road & 88 Queen Street in Downtown Dartmouth. No specifics are mentioned however he mentions that it will require a development agreement which under the current MPS means that it will exceed 5 Fl / 70 FT / 24 UNITS. The properties are currently abandoned following drug-activity problems in 2012.

Google Streetview of Victoria & Queen

2) The other development mentioned is also by Clark Wilkins and will be built at 836 & 842 Portland Street (SW corner of Portland Hills Drive). Again no specifics are mentioned but it will be a mixed commercial/residential project requiring a development agreement. Important to note here is its across the street from Portland Hills Terminal which hopefully will be taken into account in regards to density and layout.

Google Streetview of Portland Street & Portland Hills Drive

Source : "Clark Wilkins Has Plans For Two Dartmouth Sites" (December 6th, 2013) - AllNovaScotia.com

[JET]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Two new development rumours to mention tonight thanks to AllNovaScotia.com.

1) Clark Wilkins has announced his intentions to redevelop 6-14 Victoria Road & 88 Queen Street in Downtown Dartmouth. No specifics are mentioned however he mentions that it will require a development agreement which under the current MPS means that it will exceed 5 Fl / 70 FT / 24 UNITS. The properties are currently abandoned following drug-activity problems in 2012.

Google Streetview of Victoria & Queen

2) The other development mentioned is also by Clark Wilkins and will be built at 836 & 842 Portland Street (SW corner of Portland Hills Drive). Again no specifics are mentioned but it will be a mixed commercial/residential project requiring a development agreement. Important to note here is its across the street from Portland Hills Terminal which hopefully will be taken into account in regards to density and layout.

Google Streetview of Portland Street & Portland Hills Drive

Source : "Clark Wilkins Has Plans For Two Dartmouth Sites" (December 6th, 2013) - AllNovaScotia.com

That is incredible news about Victoria/Queen in Downtown Dartmouth. Whatever goes there has to be better than waht has been there; even better if some thought/care goes in the plan

[HalifaxRetales]

Originally Posted by JET

this morning I noticed fencing around the closed Tim Hortons on Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth. It's been empty for some time, would be good to see something there

a construction fence and a port a potty, hopefully there is something going in there

Yeah I'm curious whats happening at 28 Ochterloney as well

[JET]

Originally Posted by HalifaxRetales

Yeah I'm curious whats happening at 28 Ochterloney as well

I can't tell yet whether it is a tear down or a fix up.

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by JET

I can't tell yet whether it is a tear down or a fix up.

I would guess that the old Tim's is a tear down. I can't imagine that the building has much value as is compared to the potential to redevelop the property. It might be one that just becomes a parking lot. Keen to hear what's being suggested for Victoria and Queen. A family friend use to own one of the houses directly across from the street on Victoria. It was a problem spot even then and that was almost 30 years ago. Great to hear that this long-standing drag on the neighbourhood may soon be gone.

[Dmajackson]

Steven Metledge has purchased 3664 Joseph Howe Drive. This used to be a Petro-Can but now sits as an empty gravel lot across from the Superstore. No details on what might happen have been announced. It would make a great spot for a mid-rise residential or commercial development. All I can hope is HRM keeps the nearby trail in mind if this site makes getting a trail past it impossible then there is no hope for future connections to the north.

Also the article states a redevelopment of the Glidden Paint building (Young & Isleville) is still possible.

Source : "Steven Metledge Buys On Joe Howe" (December 16th, 2013) - AllNovaScotia.com

[someone123]

Allns reported tonight that Pacrim Hospitality is planning to build a hotel downtown, to be announced early in 2014.

[RevenueRealty]

the old tim hortons site was bought by WESTRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED headed by Richard Landzaat. Hopefully we will see some interesting development plans.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by someone123

Allns reported tonight that Pacrim Hospitality is planning to build a hotel downtown, to be announced early in 2014.

Somewhere in the downtown. That's good. I'll deal with the vagueness until the spring.

I'd prefer something specific, like: on one of the waterfront properties.
(If only...)

[pblaauw]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

Somewhere in the downtown. That's good. I'll deal with the vagueness until the spring.

I'd prefer something specific, like: on one of the waterfront properties.
(If only...)

If this is any indication, it won't be anything special.

[ILoveHalifax]

Originally Posted by pblaauw

If this is any indication, it won't be anything special.

I noticed the list of their current properties as well, a very unimpressive list of hotels. Hopefully they will not be building on the waterfront. I think our waterfront deserves mush better than this company seems to build.

[scooby074]

Originally Posted by pblaauw

If this is any indication, it won't be anything special.

Yup.. A bunch of Holiday Inn Expresses ..

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by scooby074

Yup.. A bunch of Holiday Inn Expresses ..

The downtown needs a spectrum of affordable options, too!
Even though this company's portfolio may cause some to doubt the quality of their rumoured proposal -- this company still realises where it may be building: which is in the city's core. There will be some effort to make the venture adequate because this hotel will exist amongst considerable competition. This upcoming proposal may be their best work.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

The downtown needs a spectrum of affordable options, too!
Even though this company's portfolio may cause some to doubt the quality of their rumoured proposal -- this company still realises where it may be building: which is in the city's core. There will be some effort to make the venture adequate because this hotel will exist amongst considerable competition. This upcoming proposal may be their best work.

Affordable, sure, but I think it's the architectural quality people are concerned about. There are no gems in their current portfolio. Hopefully what they end up building is better than just adequate.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Affordable, sure, but I think it's the architectural quality people are concerned about. There are no gems in their current portfolio. Hopefully what they end up building is better than just adequate.

Ya. You guys are right. I agree about the quality bit. It's just that my forgiveness of relatively unattractive developments goes up as the costs of the services that will be provided goes down.

I don't mind "average" in the downtown. Some critics may argue that's all Halifax has anyway...

Womp.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I don't mind "average" in the downtown. Some critics may argue that's all Halifax has anyway...

Womp.

I would heartily disagree!

But even if you mean contemporary architecture, I've never subscribed to the "we'll take -what-we-can-get" approach to development. No development is better than bad development, because the latter can't be undone. And Halifax is seeing enough quality stuff now that we can hold developers and architects to a higher standard.

[someone123]

Not sure what will happen in this case, but one thing I've noted before is that there can be enormous differences in quality between different buildings built by or owned by a single company. If they decide to go and hire an architect and pay for a nicer building they can.

Another interesting angle to this story is that many design aspects of the suburban hotels are no longer permitted downtown because of HRM by Design. A few years ago, it would have been possible to build a completely inappropriate suburban development downtown, but there are more demanding design requirements now.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

Ya. You guys are right. I agree about the quality bit. It's just that my forgiveness of relatively unattractive developments goes up as the costs of the services that will be provided goes down.

I don't mind "average" in the downtown. Some critics may argue that's all Halifax has anyway...

Womp.

Average...average.! Halifax is inundated with garbage average developments. Average in Halifax is Clayton Park West that has crept into the downtown now that development has resurfaced. (Exceptions..TD Centre, Library,Emera)

Average downtown looks worse than average in most cases because there is usually a high quality historic building nearby from which to draw a visual comparison. This town needs to focus on quality and stop the slum lord developments from flying under the radar.

[scooby074]

I predict many fiberglass cornices and faux finishes for this new hotel.

" I may not be an architect.. but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!"