[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Lrdevlop]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

It looks like August will be the ground breaking, which makes sense after the slow spring, but its also interesting to see them mention that they are working on the plan of the building, I hope that doesn't mean downsizing...

Monctoncore, I work with the developers on this project and don't worry, they're definitely not downsizing (in fact, they're already thinking about what the next project should be). The building is the same as in the rendering (and same thing for the floor plans), but the way it works, engineering plans are only made just before construction.

By the way, over 50% of the condos are sold.

[Monctoncore]

Awesome thanks for the info Lrdevlop! I actually looked at the Model Suite, I was interested in the Apartments. But thank you for your input, I am very excited for this project and glad to hear that 50% have been sold. Also happy to hear they are already planning more. Very interesting, I did not know that about the engineering plans, learn something new everyday.

[NBNYer]

The website for FiveFive has an 360 degree aerial view of downtown

Link here

Screen shot skyline:

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Lrdevlop

Monctoncore, I work with the developers on this project and don't worry, they're definitely not downsizing (in fact, they're already thinking about what the next project should be). The building is the same as in the rendering (and same thing for the floor plans), but the way it works, engineering plans are only made just before construction.

By the way, over 50% of the condos are sold.

Thanks for the info Lrdevlop.

If the developers are indeed beginning to plan ahead for their next project, might I humbly suggest that they consider being part of the Downing Street redevelopment?



A new building of similar scale and quality as FiveFive would be ideal for the west side of Downing Street, and would fit in with the above conceptual drawing extremely well.

[Lrdevlop]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

If the developers are indeed beginning to plan ahead for their next project, might I humbly suggest that they consider being part of the Downing Street redevelopment?

A new building of similar scale and quality as FiveFive would be ideal for the west side of Downing Street, and would fit in with the above conceptual drawing extremely well.

Yeap, don't worry we all told him the same thing and he is well aware of the development (it's even featured in FiveFive sale presentations). I'd love to see him build something there too.

[MonctonRad]

The parking garage at the Crowne Plaza Hotel is coming down (no loss, it was falling down anyway).

It will be replaced by (wait for it) - surface parking, including the adjacent parking lot at the old Acadian Lines bus terminal......

What a lost opportunity. I hope this is only a temporary solution.......

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

What a lost opportunity. I hope this is only a temporary solution.......

You would think so. Since multiple, single surface parking lots would be needed to replace the multi story garage. I doubt Aquilini bought the whole block just to pave it. Back when they made the land purchase, with all the talk about the new Arena, was there not rumours of an eventual replacement for the hotel? Maybe with underground parking?... Wishful thinking?

[MonctonRad]

Yes, that's my thought as well.

As you say, Aquillini controls the whole block, and I think they are just sitting on it until a final decision is made regarding the downtown events centre.

Once the final design and components of the downtown centre are known, and once ground is finally broken for this project, I'm hopeful that Aquillini will come forward with a plan to redevelop this entire block.

In the meantime, the best that can be said is that this new surface parking will be mostly hidden from view......

[MonctonRad]

There's an article in the T&T today dealing with the demolition of the old parking garage at the Crowne Plaza.

The demolition is mostly because the structure was no longer structurally sound and was no longer safe to use.

Here are a few quotes from the article (transcribed since the media monitoring portal isn't updated on the weekend).

It's the long term that (crown Plaza general manager) Nicolas Parisi and the hotel's Vancouver based owners Aquillini Investment Group are excited about

It's the potential of what is proposed to go up across Main Street that has the Crowne and it's owners the Aquillini family excited

The family apparently keeps close tabs on their investments in Moncton. The Aquillini family considers the Crowne Plaza block as a long term investment, and that once the events centre gets built, the property (a whole city block) will be well placed for redevelopment.

the Aquillini Investment Group has assets in the billions, including the Vancouver Canucks and the Rogers Arena where the Canucks play

there are no plans to replace the parking structure at this point. The hotel has expanded it's surface parking by using the old Acadian Lines bus terminal property, which it recently repaved and circled with decorative fencing and closed circuit cameras.

[Walk then Run]

This is fantastic news to know that Aquillini has the entire block! Their reputation for development (minus the Canucks...lol) and how beautiful their buildings look...I'm really excited for DT Moncton! Bring on the EC, so that the ball (wrecking) can start rolling!

[tmacdougall]

Fly-over of the proposed Downing St. project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFPMMnq4Lw

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

Fly-over of the proposed Downing St. project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFPMMnq4Lw

I really like the idea of a permanent outdoor concert venue downtown. Maybe eventually adding some seating and creating a smaller version of Quebec City's L'Agora in their downtown.



This is the just the type of project the City should be investing in to expand its reputation as a concert destination, instead of sitting back and letting it fade away quickly.

[Walk then Run]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

Fly-over of the proposed Downing St. project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFPMMnq4Lw

Ok I'm getting ecstatic over the potential of this project. So realistically, how close is this to becoming reality, or is it all hype with no money locked in yet?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Walk then Run

Ok I'm getting ecstatic over the potential of this project. So realistically, how close is this to becoming reality, or is it all hype with no money locked in yet?

I think the street design is pretty much a done deal, but will be phased in over three years.

The proposed buildings along the street are purely hypothetical though, although I am encouraged by the fact that the developers of Fivefive on Queen Street are already looking forward to their next project. They might consider building along Downing.

If I were to guess, it will likely be 10 years before Downing Street looks anything like the rendering.

[mylesmalley]

Has anyone actually heard that Assomption and Medavie Blue Cross are on board with this project? They're the ones who own the land on both sides of the new road. Would they be selling or developing themselves?

[MonctonRad]

The tender for the first phase of the Downing Street project has just been issued:
http://22864.vws.magma.ca/index.php?&article_id=13206

This phase of the project involves reopening Downing Street from Main to Assumption.

As to whether Blue Cross and Assomption Vie are on board or not, only Assomption will be impacted in the short to medium term as they will lose parking spaces as Downing Street is widened. I believe that I read in the paper a couple of months ago that they were OK with this and supported the project fully.

Blue Cross will only lose their parking if there is yet another expansion phase to their office building. The conceptual drawing for the Downing Street redevelopment shows such an expansion, but I have no idea whether or not Blue Cross has made any commitments as such.

In any event, this lost parking will have to be made up elsewhere, hopefully with a new parking structure of some form elsewhere in the core.

BTW tmacdougall, I love the flyover of the Downing Street proposal. Good find!!

• Video Link

[tmacdougall]

Once the events centre breaks group, developers will be fighting to build at the Downing St. location. The future is bright for our downtown.

[MonctonRad]

from today's T&T

Downtown's Oak Lane gets an Artistic Makeover

http://22864.vws.magma.ca/index.php?&article_id=13278

[riverviewer]

New Moncton museum's opening faces more delays
Transportation Discovery Centre has gone over budget, missed dates for opening

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...ning-faces-more-delays-1.2703802?cmp=rss

No answers as to why is can't be opened.

[MonctonRad]

The CBC may not know when the tentative opening date for the Discovery Centre is, but I believe that there was a short article in the T&T about a month ago stating that the opening date was delayed until November. The original (delayed) opening date had been June.

This is disappointing, and it is discouraging to hear that the glass "cowcatcher" feature at the front of the building is leaking. In a way, I am not surprised as I am sure that this feature would have been the architectural Achilles Heel for the project. Hopefully they can get this solved so that the opening date won't be delayed any further.

BTW - the link below leads to a page on the City of Moncton website where you can view a time-lapse of the construction of this building. View it at one frame every 2 seconds for maximum effect.

http://www.moncton.ca/Residents/Recreati...Discovery_Centre_Construction_Photos.htm