[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[fenwick16]

I noticed this video on the Halifax Convention Centre website - http://www.halifaxconventioncentre.com/ . What I find interesting is that it gives interior renderings of the Exhibition Hall and Ballroom. The finishing touches will be rather spartan with exposed girders in both the Exhibition Hall and Ballroom, which I think was a prudent choice since it should minimize construction cost.

Hopefully the spartan finishes will allow the convention centre to be finished in 2016.

• Video Link

[worldlyhaligonian]

I really hope there are some new bars on the Argyle sections as the renderings suggest...

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

I really hope there are some new bars on the Argyle sections as the renderings suggest...

Would make a good location for Halifax's first location for one of the power-restobar chains like Cactus Club, Joey's or Earls.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Would make a good location for Halifax's first location for one of the power-restobar chains like Cactus Club, Joey's or Earls.

Honestly, I really hope not. The seating capacity and frontage one of them could command would probably drain the life out of the much more interesting row of businesses one the other side of the street.

I don't love all the Argyle bars (I've thought about the possibility that some, especially the student-focused ones, may go out of business if the Nova Centre shifts the street in a more upscale direction). But the strength of the street is in the small frontages and eclectic mixture of businesses. If the street goes more upscale, it'll be better off, and a more interesting destination for visitors, conventioners, and of course locals, if that's driven by unique, independent businesses, rather than a bunch of mediocre chain mega-bars slinging pints of Rickard's and $14.99 chicken-wing plates.

Usually I think franchises can co-exist with local businesses (I think seeing national chains opening on Barrington is great, for example) but in this case I think it would just tip the balance too much, and we'd see everything good about Argyle get bum-rushed off the street.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Honestly, I really hope not. The seating capacity and frontage one of them could command would probably drain the life out of the much more interesting row of businesses one the other side of the street.

I don't love all the Argyle bars (I've thought about the possibility that some, especially the student-focused ones, may go out of business if the Nova Centre shifts the street in a more upscale direction). But the strength of the street is in the small frontages and eclectic mixture of businesses. If the street goes more upscale, it'll be better off, and a more interesting destination for visitors, conventioners, and of course locals, if that's driven by unique, independent businesses, rather than a bunch of mediocre chain mega-bars slinging pints of Rickard's and $14.99 chicken-wing plates.

Usually I think franchises can co-exist with local businesses (I think seeing national chains opening on Barrington is great, for example) but in this case I think it would just tip the balance too much, and we'd see everything good about Argyle get bum-rushed off the street.

I was thinking more of a lounge/nightclub with a patio during the day. It would more directly compete with The Argyle down the street or, shudder, the Toothy Moose.

I think having more people down there will help all of the businesses.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Honestly, I really hope not. The seating capacity and frontage one of them could command would probably drain the life out of the much more interesting row of businesses one the other side of the street.

I have thought about this too but I'm less convinced that the chains would be negative for the street.

The convention centre, offices, and hotels, are going to grow demand for nearby bars and restaurants to the point where there could be at least a couple of new ones without really hurting the old ones at all. The convention space itself is actually somewhat unusual in terms of how well-connected it will be to adjacent blocks; a lot of them are walled-off compounds that discourage conference goers from getting out and exploring. On top of this there are going to be more residents in the area in a couple of years too.

The Cactus Club type places are probably not going to want to locate in the smaller older buildings nearby, so as long as those stick around they will probably still work for local businesses (this is one of the reasons why heritage buildings are good). A certain number of people will go to the local places to avoid generic chains. The generic bars will be hit harder, but I don't consider them to be as big of a loss.

Overall I'm guessing it's going to be 80% complementary rather than directly competitive. Time will tell but if I had to hazard a guess I'd predict that the Argyle Street area is going to be busier and more successful in the future.

[Drybrain]

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't be terribly upset to see joints like the Toothy Moose, etc., disappear.

Nonetheless, but I think there's a real risk of the strip's character being diminished rather than enhanced by that kind of business. (But then, having spent my youth in Alberta, maybe I'm just predisposed against the megapubs, etc.)

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't be terribly upset to see joints like the Toothy Moose, etc., disappear.

Nonetheless, but I think there's a real risk of the strip's character being diminished rather than enhanced by that kind of business. (But then, having spent my youth in Alberta, maybe I'm just predisposed against the megapubs, etc.)

Well, maybe it will lead to more of those suburban types spending money downtown? I'm amazing that BP seems to do so well downtown...

Personally, those places have no appeal to me and I don't think a chain will take away customers from the places that have character. I think issues more relate to similar independent places cannibalizing eachother.

[lawsond]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Not true about the Wall Centre. in 1999 when One Wall Centre was being built there was a dispute between Busby, the Architects, and Peter Wall, the owner/developer, Busby wanted clear, Wall wanted dark tinted so they compromised , the hotel portion ( lower floors ) would be dark and the condos clear. After 15 years of no tint, and oppressive heat from the sun, the condo voted to re-glaze, as it had been many years, the original manufacturer of the lower portion was no longer in business so they had to settle for a close match, which IMO looks terrible.

Glad to hear the Nova Centre glazing is of high quality but one shade or tone would have looked far more cohesive.

Did not know that about the Wall. Thanks. I think it will look fine when done. But we shall see. I,love the orange section of the new library so I am willing to allow that it could look good when completed.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Halifax storm clouds by davicday, on Flickr

[kph06]

Now that the crane is gone, you can see a strip of blue glass that breaks up the green checkered glass.



NS Webcams - Nova Centre

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Halifax storm clouds by davicday, on Flickr

I've noticed this from a couple of viewpoints but I cannot tell if its an optical illusion or not. Is the roofline slanting up towards the Sackville corner of the building?

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by kph06

Now that the crane is gone, you can see a strip of blue glass that breaks up the green checkered glass.



NS Webcams - Nova Centre

I noticed this also (the blue strip behind the crane). Just that bit of blue glass is an improvement since it seems to tie in the different tones of glass and break up the green checkered area.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I've noticed this from a couple of viewpoints but I cannot tell if its an optical illusion or not. Is the roofline slanting up towards the Sackville corner of the building?

Not sure... it isn't my pic... but it might be the Roy crane in front? Or it could be slanted. Tough to tell.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I've noticed this from a couple of viewpoints but I cannot tell if its an optical illusion or not. Is the roofline slanting up towards the Sackville corner of the building?

Based on drawings in this document - http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/140401ca1141.PDF - presented to the Design Review Committee, the roof really is slanted.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by someone123

I think the "Friends of..." are perhaps the biggest contributing factor to the design flaws of this development. The viewplanes and ramparts bylaw are what shaped the massing of this building. Developers are just going to build what fits, and when it comes to large multi-use complexes like this there aren't many alternatives. The design rules make it hard to build a slender tower downtown with hundreds of thousands of square feet of space.

In this instance I think it would have been a great trade-off to have a slender office tower somewhat visible from inside the Citadel (it would complement the 70's buildings that are already visible). However, I still think this is a positive development for the city and I suspect it will work out a lot better than Scotia Square in terms of its impact on adjacent properties. Its footprint is much smaller and it is much more permeable for pedestrians. If it turns out well the covered street and interior path down to Argyle could be really interesting.

One day, we'll have a provincial politician or city mayor with guts who will take on the absurd ramparts/view planes laws.

This was a perfect opportunity to do so, but instead, we end up with short, squat, wide massing development.

They did their best with what they have. Surely someone will realize eventually, however, that ALL viewplanes, nor ramparts requirements without exception, are not necessary to preserve a nice view from Citadel Hill.

[lawsond]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Based on drawings in this document - http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/140401ca1141.PDF - presented to the Design Review Committee, the roof really is slanted.

Great renders in that document. They show the slant but also clearly show the checkerboard pattern contrasted with the smooth blue. And it looks great. I think it is going to look fine. From every angle except Citadel Hill. Many many smaller cities in North Anerica would be thrilled to see this development in their downtown.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Based on drawings in this document - http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/140401ca1141.PDF - presented to the Design Review Committee, the roof really is slanted.

The Martello roof is slanted in the same way. I figured this was done to conform with the ramparts requirement.

[RangerNS]

Originally Posted by someone123

The Martello roof is slanted in the same way. I figured this was done to conform with the ramparts requirement.

Or is just consistent with the "vaguely looks like a ship" thing they are going for, with the "pointed bow" on the SE corner.

[someone123]

I think the cladding looks pretty good in this shot:


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