Regina Construction III

[Chorduroy]

Originally Posted by DandyUnderworld

Another historic Regina building coming down? Hopefully not for another "temporary" parking lot:
Story from Leader Post
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/regina/ci...+year+historic+sears/11487579/story.html

INSANE. Every time I go by this building, I get excited about the possibilities if someone with vision can redevelop it into condos. To me, it would be one of the most stunning transformations in this city. What an absolute travesty if they demolish it.

[A4Regina]

Would be a shame to see that building go down. From the article, it seems the building is still in great shape. Not sure why they would want to demolish it?

Still lots of potential for that building to become a great mixed use space. I can see it having "urban format" retail on the main floor. The upper floors has perfect potential for condos/rental or a hotel chain to step in.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

2 FEET?!? If people can't handle parking within 2 FEET of the curb, and within 6.5 feet of the meter, not only should they get a ticket, SGI should require a driving re-test.

Regina is exceptionally generous with these distances. Ottawa gives drivers 1/4 the distance: within 6 INCHES of the curb, and the vehicle front (or back, depending on meter position) must be directly in front of the meter... so, basically, 6 feet closer to the meter than Regina requires.

Calgary is even less generous - your vehicle must be within 2 INCHES of the curb.

I wouldn't be surprised if the extra space isn't so much "generosity" to the drivers, but the city somewhat covering its own ass if it doesn't clear all the snow banks... Can't exactly park tight to the curb/meter if snow is completely blocking you (I remember Lorne along the Sasktel building could get pretty terrible at times).

As for the Sears building, Chorduroy, summarised my thoughts exactly, it would be an absolute travesty.

Demolish the city block long structure behind, or use some clear land that's already in the warehouse district (even right across the street), there's no real need to demolish the Call Centre, as the article said, its not unsound.

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by A4Regina

Would be a shame to see that building go down. From the article, it seems the building is still in great shape. Not sure why they would want to demolish it?

Still lots of potential for that building to become a great mixed use space. I can see it having "urban format" retail on the main floor. The upper floors has perfect potential for condos/rental or a hotel chain to step in.

Not really the most desirable neighbourhood though.

[HomerSPC]

Originally Posted by Festivus

Not really the most desirable neighbourhood though.

I'd say its on the fringe. The area isn't bad, but it isn't great either.

[Dan0myte]

The writer of the article brought up a good point in that it's easier to sell land when it's empty and ready for development. It wouldn't surprise me if the people who are buying this property are doing so with the intent of demolishing all the buildings, clearing the land and trying to sell it to someone else for a profit and have no intention of building anything themselves. For-Profit Heritage Destroyers.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by dandyunderworld

another historic regina building coming down? Hopefully not for another "temporary" parking lot:
Story from leader post
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/regina/ci...+year+historic+sears/11487579/story.html

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Stormer]

We had a big discussion about this last year when Sears announced it was closing. See my post below with a satellite shot showing all the available land in the area. One poster commented that the building could last 1000 years.

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6702703&postcount=1180

[BrutallyDishonest2]

You guy's will love it when you learn the rumored buyer is a prominent local (or sort of local now) automotive group. And yes, they want to tear it all down and put a parking lot....and some buildings.

Here's the thing you are all forgetting. The main building is around 350,000 square feet. 43,000 square feet per floor. It would probably cost $125 or more per square foot to turn the thing into condos which would end up long and narrow due to the floor plates. So to make your dream come true it's going to cost somewhere around $40 million to renovate.

Then remember that the condo market is in the tank and the the economy is winding down. Who do you think is really going to step forward for a project of this scale in Regina at this point in time? This building has been available for purchase for some time now and now developer has rushed to do anything like this. Don't you think that says something?

Yes the building is a great building but you also have to be realistic about things. Do you really think it's fair to hold buildings hostage? Do you really think that the taxpayer should have to take this building on when it's abandoned and left to ruins? Far too many people think the development game is easy.

All that said, this might be the one time that a building on the Heritage Holding list gets put on the protected list against the owner's wishes.

[Stormer]

I always said the Sears and adjscent SaskPower lands on 4th would end up as an automall. I had hoped the main Sears building could be repurposed and that some of the modern low rise warehouse to the west could be used for indoor car showrooms.

I agree that the squarish floor plates make a hotel impossible and condos unlikely.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Stormer

I always said the Sears and adjscent SaskPower lands on 4th would end up as an automall. I had hoped the main Sears building could be repurposed and that some of the modern low rise warehouse to the west could be used for indoor car showrooms.

I agree that the squarish floor plates make a hotel impossible and condos unlikely.

I think the most optimistic outcome would be the tower staying and the remaining 600,000 low rise warehouse is demolished and made into auto mall. At 100 feet wide it would have been much more usable.

Ironically the 1950s addition to the 1915 tower is what makes the property more difficult to deal with.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

I think the most optimistic outcome would be the tower staying and the remaining 600,000 low rise warehouse is demolished and made into auto mall. At 100 feet wide it would have been much more usable.

Ironically the 1950s addition to the 1915 tower is what makes the property more difficult to deal with.

That's really all I'm actually worried about. If the tower portion were preserved, I'd be satisfied; it's been such a prominent building in the the city for so long, would be a shame to lose it. It tends to stick out quite from almost every vantage point except south of the Downtown core (for obvious reasons).

[thefourthtower]

http://www.leaderpost.com/namerind+housi...egina+building+plans/11490112/story.html

Namerind Housing Corp. unveils new downtown Regina building plans




By Kerry Benjoe, Regina Leader-Post, Regina Leader~Post November 3, 2015 6:03 PM

[thefourthtower]

The city would be insane to demolish that ware house ,that is a one of a kind building

Nooooooooooooooooooo is right

[Udon'tknow]

Looks like the last funding pieces have fallen into place:


International Trade Centre receives millions in donations

http://www.leaderpost.com/business/agric...re+receives+millions/11490003/story.html

Credit: LeaderPost

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

The city would be insane to demolish that ware house ,that is a one of a kind building

Nooooooooooooooooooo is right

You do realize the city doesn't own it, right?

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

http://www.leaderpost.com/namerind+housi...egina+building+plans/11490112/story.html

Namerind Housing Corp. unveils new downtown Regina building plans




By Kerry Benjoe, Regina Leader-Post, Regina Leader~Post November 3, 2015 6:03 PM

LOL "breaking ground on first phase", translation: demolition and a parking lot.

It looks like they have dropped the office component, which makes sense .

[UrbanClimate]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

http://www.leaderpost.com/namerind+housi...egina+building+plans/11490112/story.html

Namerind Housing Corp. unveils new downtown Regina building plans




By Kerry Benjoe, Regina Leader-Post, Regina Leader~Post November 3, 2015 6:03 PM

REGINA SK: NOVEMBER 03, 2015 -- Namerind president and CEO Robert Byers beside design renderings for their planned mix-use head office building that is to be built in downtown Regina. Photo taken in Regina on November 03, 2015. (DON HEALY/Regina Leader-Post)

http://www.leaderpost.com/business/namer...egina+building+plans/11490112/story.html

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Stormer

LOL "breaking ground on first phase", translation: demolition and a parking lot.

It looks like they have dropped the office component, which makes sense .

The renders still show 3 floors of office though. But they'd be insane to build office without long term, committed tenants in tow.

[SkydivePilot]

[Old Sears building] I agree with the fact that it could last 1000 years; however, I'd say: knock'er down!