The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 514

KnoxfordGuy · #**10261** Posted **Oct 22, 2015, 2:45 PM**

Isn't Irving in a rather large office building now? What will happen to it? Vacated? Bulldozed?

magee_b · #**10262** Posted **Oct 22, 2015, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

Isn't Irving in a rather large office building now? What will happen to it? Vacated? Bulldozed?

Irving Oil is currently in the Golden Ball and the old CHSJ TV building which is on the corner of Union & Crown. Based on the TJ article, it seems like they have a few other scattered offices around town as well.

On future plans for the Golden Ball, the article also states they plan to "retain this historic building for Irving Oil use".

The other large office building up there is for JD Irving use.

dhottawa729 · #**10263** Posted **Oct 22, 2015, 7:11 PM**

I always thought that Irving would be the only company that might ever establish a building taller than the Bell Aliant tower. They deserve to have a building that defines the Saint John skyline since they have become such a superpower and Saint John is where it all started. They've defined the city economically, so why not physically as well? Unfortunately, the location they've chosen isn't ideal from a 'skyline' perspective because its outside the main cluster of highrises. Looking at skyline photos and Google Earth, Wellington Row at Union Street would be the best possible place for the next tallest. As for the blocking sun in Kings Square, it would be best to go tall and slim to reduce shadowing.

Southpaw78 · #**10264** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 1:29 AM**

Great to see Port City Royal getting some national exposure winning second place in Air Canada's En Route Magazine for Best Restaurants in Canada!

RaginRonic · #**10265** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 3:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by magee_b

Irving Oil is currently in the Golden Ball and the old CHSJ TV building which is on the corner of Union & Crown. Based on the TJ article, it seems like they have a few other scattered offices around town as well.

On future plans for the Golden Ball, the article also states they plan to "retain this historic building for Irving Oil use".

The other large office building up there is for JD Irving use.

Hmm....speaking of CHSJ TV, does anyone have any clue where their video tape archives are? o.o

cdnguys · #**10266** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 10:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by magee_b

Irving Oil is currently in the Golden Ball and the old CHSJ TV building which is on the corner of Union & Crown. Based on the TJ article, it seems like they have a few other scattered offices around town as well.

On future plans for the Golden Ball, the article also states they plan to "retain this historic building for Irving Oil use".

The other large office building up there is for JD Irving use.

The old CHSJ building aren't Irving employees. It's actually a company called Highlands Fuel Delivery G P , with an operating name of Irving Energy. They won't be leaving that building. To figure out height, we do have some clues. Look at size of proposed one on long wharf and extrapolate from that - or look at current office footprint. Aside from Golden Ball, they have floors in B Sq, 555 Somerset, CentreBeam I think ....

RR Drummer · #**10267** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 10:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

I always thought that Irving would be the only company that might ever establish a building taller than the Bell Aliant tower. They deserve to have a building that defines the Saint John skyline since they have become such a superpower and Saint John is where it all started. They've defined the city economically, so why not physically as well? Unfortunately, the location they've chosen isn't ideal from a 'skyline' perspective because its outside the main cluster of highrises. Looking at skyline photos and Google Earth, Wellington Row at Union Street would be the best possible place for the next tallest. As for the blocking sun in Kings Square, it would be best to go tall and slim to reduce shadowing.

I do not disagree with that. I am sure there are many opinions out there, however I like the idea of Irving having a landmark building. Irving has made their mark on Saint John and it makes sense for them to have as many of their employees in one building versus scattered throughout several buildings/locations. I trust the finish product is tasteful and a welcome addition to the Uptown. Any proposed Saint John development should stir excitement and discussion.

kwajo · #**10268** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 12:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

The old CHSJ building aren't Irving employees. It's actually a company called Highlands Fuel Delivery G P , with an operating name of Irving Energy. They won't be leaving that building. To figure out height, we do have some clues. Look at size of proposed one on long wharf and extrapolate from that - or look at current office footprint. Aside from Golden Ball, they have floors in B Sq, 555 Somerset, CentreBeam I think ....

The Long Wharf proposal was 185,000 square-feet, but the footprint was almost the size of a city block so it only needed to be 4 storeys high. By comparison, this recent building in Austin is the same total area but 16 storeys (9 office, 5 parking + ground floor retail) due to a smaller footprint.

Overall the site for this building is similar in area to the parking lot by the Imperial, perhaps a little smaller. Not saying Irving will be looking for anywhere near that height or anything similar to this design, I'm just providing context. Similarly for context, Brunswick Square is 511,032 square feet, and has a huge footprint.

Scarface · #**10269** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 1:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

The Long Wharf proposal was 185,000 square-feet, but the footprint was almost the size of a city block so it only needed to be 4 storeys high. By comparison, this recent building in Austin is the same total area but 16 storeys (9 office, 5 parking + ground floor retail) due to a smaller footprint.

Overall the site for this building is similar in area to the parking lot by the Imperial, perhaps a little smaller. Not saying Irving will be looking for anywhere near that height or anything similar to this design, I'm just providing context. Similarly for context, Brunswick Square is 511,032 square feet, and has a huge footprint.

If Irving Oil is looking to build a new office building, and take there offices spread all over the city of SJ it is a possible assumption that they would possibly build a building of this height maybe even taller.

UptownJeff · #**10270** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 1:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarface

If Irving Oil is looking to build a new office building, and take there offices spread all over the city of SJ it is a possible assumption that they would possibly build a building of this height maybe even taller.

Word is that it will be 9 storys

kwajo · #**10271** Posted **Oct 23, 2015, 1:54 PM**

Seams reasonable, given that there is already a parking level below the site, they could simply add one or two more, then have ~8 more for office levels. Overall it'll be similar in scale to the Admiral Beatty on the same block, which is 8 storeys, and therefore not cause any PR ripples.

RaginRonic · #**10272** Posted **Nov 6, 2015, 2:22 PM**

CBC's Connell Smith just dropped this tweet.

https://twitter.com/connellcbc/status/662632869819469824

The pic, closer up.

Funny thing....I used to go to McLean Micro at Loch Lomond Mall a LOT in 1998 and 1999 to use the Internet...if I was still in Saint John, this'd be a full-circle thing.

Think this will become real?

magee_b · #**10273** Posted **Nov 6, 2015, 5:28 PM**

I noticed Google Maps has been updated with new satellite images of Saint John from September 2015. Much clearer than what was online previously.

Franco401 · #**10274** Posted **Nov 6, 2015, 8:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by magee_b

I noticed Google Maps has been updated with new satellite images of Saint John from September 2015. Much clearer than what was online previously.

So did Fredericton. I wonder if there might be more updates in the province.

UptownJeff · #**10275** Posted **Nov 8, 2015, 12:26 AM**

Ok now here's a wild one I heard this morning. I heard that Irving Oil is selling the refinery and the new owners are building a second one! Now, I don't believe this for a moment but I wonder if there is something here....partnership like what was supposed to happen with BP?

Has anyone heard anything??

kwajo · #**10276** Posted **Nov 8, 2015, 12:08 PM**

I'm pretty sure that plan is a definite, the library's lease on the east side is ending and the city wanted to consolidate it into a building it already owns. I think it'll be great, especially considering how well connected the library will be to transit service

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

CBC's Connell Smith just dropped this tweet.

https://twitter.com/connellcbc/status/662632869819469824

The pic, closer up.

Funny thing....I used to go to McLean Micro at Loch Lomond Mall a LOT in 1998 and 1999 to use the Internet...if I was still in Saint John, this'd be a full-circle thing.

Think this will become real?

JHikka · #**10277** Posted **Nov 8, 2015, 10:13 PM**

I imagine the Library at the Transit building is already finished and is just a matter of reorganizing things. It'll at least lend some credence to a building that a great number of people seem to dislike. The Transit building and Peel Plaza are two good examples of past councils not entirely thinking with clear vision, so i'm glad that the Transit building can at least be transformed into a relatively central multipurpose centre.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Ok now here's a wild one I heard this morning. I heard that Irving Oil is selling the refinery and the new owners are building a second one! Now, I don't believe this for a moment but I wonder if there is something here....partnership like what was supposed to happen with BP?

Sounds like a classic Made in Saint John Rumour to me.

The good news, at least for the Refinery, is that Keystone won't be happening. This will only serve to heighten the importance of Energy East for the oil industry in Canada.

RaginRonic · #**10278** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 6:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

I imagine the Library at the Transit building is already finished and is just a matter of reorganizing things. It'll at least lend some credence to a building that a great number of people seem to dislike. The Transit building and Peel Plaza are two good examples of past councils not entirely thinking with clear vision, so i'm glad that the Transit building can at least be transformed into a relatively central multipurpose centre.

Sounds like a classic Made in Saint John Rumour to me.

The good news, at least for the Refinery, is that Keystone won't be happening. This will only serve to heighten the importance of Energy East for the oil industry in Canada.

Then if it is true, about the library, then I could see KFC taking the current East Side Library space for themselves, and un-cramping their space.

I also wonder when Google Maps will update StreetView to show us all what all sides of the Cineplex Cinemas looks like, cause it still displays Empire Studio 10. =P

DizzyEdge · #**10279** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 9:02 PM**

How many employees would you estimate would be in an Irving King's Square HQ?

DizzyEdge · #**10280** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 9:09 PM**

This is probably a dumb question, but is the water around Uptown swimmable?