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

[portapetey]

Dislike!

Much prefer the stone (slate?) to the brick, and HATE the pointless brick decoration up the towers.

[Drybrain]

The decorative bits up on the towers seem a bit ugly, but I think the sidewalk-facing portions, especially along Sackville, are a big improvement. I really dislike too much glass st street level. Nothing worse for sidewalk interaction than a big reflective wall.

I'd kinda like the portions facing Argyle to incorporate some of the dark brick as well. I think it would soften the slab effect at street level and keep Argyle a bit...cozier.

[teddifax]

Obviously, there is a tenant chosen for the hotel, when are we to find out what the name of the hotel will be?

[RangerNS]

I'd consider the proposals somewhere between "better" and "trivial detail", so no new issue from me.

With that block of Argyle being half loading docks, and much of the time doors open with straight trucks idling, or 50' trailers dropped and blocking the sidewalk, the friendlyness of the glass emergency exists on the south half is kinda irrelevant. People will walk on the other side... Or on Grafton (but I'd be shocked if there were not security guards harassing everyone, 24/7, on both sides).

To get a bit meta, however, I'd have failed high school drafting ("Communications Technology" by the time I got to it) if I passed in matching sets of the same perspective that weren't the same perspective.

[portapetey]

Originally Posted by RangerNS

With that block of Argyle being half loading docks, and much of the time doors open with straight trucks idling, or 50' trailers dropped and blocking the sidewalk, the friendlyness of the glass emergency exists on the south half is kinda irrelevant. People will walk on the other side... Or on Grafton (but I'd be shocked if there were not security guards harassing everyone, 24/7, on both sides).

You mean Market St.? True - it remains pretty dismal either way.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

Their proposed amendments which will be going to the DRC probably later this month have been posted and explained on the website along with updated renderings.

Here is the rundown:

Addition of brick surrounds at the north and west elevations of the hotel tower. The intention here is twofold. To distinguish the hotel tower from the office towers and to recall the heritage of Halifax through the use of `punched` windows and masonry.
The corner detail at the southwest and northeast corners of the hotel tower has been modified. Achieves a better integration of the tower’s square and curved geometry.
The arrangement of glazing and spandrel panels at the hotel elevations has been modified.
Addition of two overhead doors at Market Street. This modification is in response to a security concern. The addition of these doors provides both the hotel and the convention centre the ability to operate their shipping and receiving functions independently.
Change in overhead door material. The overhead doors were intended to be provided with translucent panels. Due to the large size of the doors, translucent panels were not available. Additionally, the convention centre did not support the use of translucent panels for security reasons.
Modifications to canopies on Market Street elevations. The Market Street canopies were modified in response to modifications made to the overhead doors.
Delete decorative `punched` windows from north and west elevations. This modification was made at the request of the hotel operator who intends to use the north elevation area for signage. The west elevation was modified for consistency.
Increase height of mechanical equipment and louvers at the south end of Market Street. This modification responds to a change in the convention centre program which increased the anticipated air handling demand. Satisfying this demand required an increase in the size of air handling equipment.
Addition of louver at corner of Sackville and Market. Louver is required to service increase in the size of air handling equipment.
Atrium entry on Grafton Plaza has been enlarged to accommodate a revised vestibule.
Building directory with granite plinth has been added to Grafton Plaza.
The soffit on Grafton Plaza has been modified to accommodate recessed lighting.
The curtain wall at Grafton Plaza, north elevation, has been modified.
Curtain wall at the north and west elevations of the hotel podium has been modified to accommodate additional louvers. This modification responds to a change in the convention centre program which increased the anticipated air handling demand.
http://novacentre.ca/updates/proposed-amendments-to-the-site

Market and Prince Before
http://novacentre.ca/sites/default/files/market-before.jpg

Market and Prince After


Market and Sackville Before
http://novacentre.ca/sites/default/files/sackville-before.jpg

Market and Sackville After

I like the changes although I wonder why the changes are considered substantial enough to go back before the Design Review Committee. I like the brick accent sections on the hotel tower.

As teddifax stated, changes to the hotel tower indicates that a hotel brand really has been chosen; I was starting to have doubts.

[teddifax]

I would love to know what Premium Hotel is going in here.

[q12]

These renderings look good, imagine if this had been presented years ago when they were just getting started.

[ScovaNotian]

I dislike the changes on the Market Street side. The new canopies look cheap and overbearing. The two extra overhead doors and the decrease in the height of the windows make the street go from halfway ok to a total write-off.

[RangerNS]

Originally Posted by portapetey

You mean Market St.? True - it remains pretty dismal either way.

Market, yes. My bad.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I think its good to break up the glass in the whole development and the hotel portion is the perfect place. Also, brick would be much more "Halifax" than those slate type (I feel like its a west-coast aesthetic).

A Halifax style stonewall at the base (like down at the brewery market hotel) would also work.

[Haliguy]

I kinda like it..I think there has been a enough brick in Halifax over the years but I do like how it blends into the surroundings better than before and I feel that to have the whole huge complex like that totally glass maybe a bit much.

[bluenoser]

I'm no architect, but the tower brick looks like an attempt to break up the squat, almost square shape to the building from the North West (Citadel) angle, which I'm not opposed to. Although I'm not sure about such large frames / checkers (on this as well as the office tower green sections); to me they create the impression of fewer floors, making the building seem much smaller. The opposite effect of, say, Purdy's Wharf.

But again, what do I know? This development has continued to exceed my expectations based on its renderings.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Not sure how I feel about it, really, though it's completely reasonable to try to distinguish the hotel from the convention centre, especially if the new client is striving to maintain some brand identity.

I won't be sure until I see it in person, but it looks like they are trying to give some impression of a ghost heritage structure. This could be good, it could be bad, but we'll see how it goes...



photo source

[portapetey]

I agree that's what they must be going for...is that what we call "punched windows" and masonry?

I don't think it works, but I see others think it looks good.

[ns_kid]

AllNovaScotia cites hotel industry insiders as saying Hyatt is the chain with which Ramia has been negotiating for a year. In fact it was about a year ago that ANS breathlessly reported a high-end Marriott brand would occupy the tower. As usual, Ramia insists it will be up to the tenant to make its own announcement.

[teddifax]

Maybe a Grand Hyatt..... would be fantastic to have a new hotel brand in Halifax.

[Jonovision]

Some view from Prince.

[portapetey]

Great shots!

[Good Baklava]

Is it just me or did they put room for three little shops going down prince street?