[Halifax] The Roy (1650 Granville) | 71 M | 22 FL | Completed

[bluenoser]

^Agreed. And I'm very pleased to see the original structure's shape almost fully back in place (with the additional section along Sackville). Even that makes the area feel more whole again, esp. along Barrington.

I'd love to see the Texpark site developed even if only to get rid of those ridiculous power lines...

[Jonovision]

Those top floor columns forming should be the top of the podium levels. Once that is done this one should take off.

[Jonovision]

Today

[OldDartmouthMark]

Have there been renderings of the back side of this building? I don't recall seeing them. I always thought the back side to be a little more impressive than the front as it was a couple of storeys taller due to the grade change. Just wondering if they are going to carry on the recreation to the lower floors of the back side as they are supposed to do with the front.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Have there been renderings of the back side of this building? I don't recall seeing them. I always thought the back side to be a little more impressive than the front as it was a couple of storeys taller due to the grade change. Just wondering if they are going to carry on the recreation to the lower floors of the back side as they are supposed to do with the front.

I'm not sure if it's current but this one was floating around at one point. It looks like mostly masonry construction but not a recreation of what was there before:


http://pdcentre.ca

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by someone123

I'm not sure if it's current but this one was floating around at one point. It looks like mostly masonry construction but not a recreation of what was there before:


http://pdcentre.ca

That actually is pretty damn cool. Is that legitimately how it'll look?

If so, it'll be an iconic building. Not quite Frank Gehry, but I like the angled glass on the tower.

[someone123]

Here's the report: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/110412ca1117i.pdf

There aren't any colour renderings in there but there are elevations and they seem consistent with the rendering. They don't show tilted glass panels and the elevation mentions that they'll be clear (as opposed to reflective?) glass. I'm not sure if the tilt is just a detail they left out or if they deliberately decided to drop it.

Based on the other annotations it looks like they're trying to match some of the materials and colours on the lower floor to the Johnston Building next door. It all looks pretty nice to me.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by someone123

Here's the report: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/110412ca1117i.pdf

There aren't any colour renderings in there but there are elevations and they seem consistent with the rendering. They don't show tilted glass panels and the elevation mentions that they'll be clear (as opposed to reflective?) glass. I'm not sure if the tilt is just a detail they left out or if they deliberately decided to drop it.

Based on the other annotations it looks like they're trying to match some of the materials and colours on the lower floor to the Johnston Building next door. It all looks pretty nice to me.

Thanks for this, someone123!

I realized it's odd thanking you without the numerical 1-2-3.

Otherwise, I'm like "Thanks someone", like I'm speaking to someone else, some unknown person out there.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

I'm not sure if it's current but this one was floating around at one point. It looks like mostly masonry construction but not a recreation of what was there before:


http://pdcentre.ca

Thanks! Not true to the original, but looks pretty good nonetheless. The mention of precast makes me a little nervous, but otherwise the quality of materials seems pretty good so I suspect the precast will be of good quality as well.

For my mindset, I still would have preferred the original materials to remain, but I think if they do a good job of its replacement it will definitely be an improvement to both streets, and the neighborhood in general.

[Metalsales]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Thanks! Not true to the original, but looks pretty good nonetheless. The mention of precast makes me a little nervous, but otherwise the quality of materials seems pretty good so I suspect the precast will be of good quality as well.

For my mindset, I still would have preferred the original materials to remain, but I think if they do a good job of its replacement it will definitely be an improvement to both streets, and the neighborhood in general.

Based on the cost of what the angled panels would add, I am highly skeptical that it will look anything like what that render shows.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by someone123

I'm not sure if it's current but this one was floating around at one point. It looks like mostly masonry construction but not a recreation of what was there before:


http://pdcentre.ca

I don't think it's current. I can't find a source now, but I seem to recall those angles being removed at some point previous. I am 99% certain they are no longer part of the design.

[mleblanc]

Very outdated rendering. Can't find an exact updated one but judging by these two angles of the built model

and by this example of the floor plan on the Roy's website:

It appears East side of the Roy is a large flat glass facade with wrap around balconies to take advantage of the harbour view! Will be interesting to see an actual rendering with any architectural details they are adding but it's nice to see them take advantage of the view, which makes one wonder why Scotia Square & etc decided to face the harbour with a flat concrete wall

[bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Hali87

A couple photos of the model in the sales office.

Here are some relatively recent photos of the model, for what they're worth. The Barrington (obviously considered the front) elevation definitely seems far more interesting than the Granville / back side, which could also be considered the front in terms of the skyline view from the harbour...

The 'original building' is disappointing along Granville. I used to love the array of windows, arches and ledges. The larger windows seem unnecessary to me for this portion, and also make the building seem smaller (when in fact it's wider than the original and about the same height).


http://www.halifaxhistory.ca/

On the plus side though, they are rebuilding the original six storeys along Barrington, with a nice two-storey store front, whereas earlier plans had 5 storeys with fewer, larger windows and apparently single storey retail. I wonder if this change was facilitated by converting this portion to parking instead of offices.


http://www.dsra.ca/


http://i.cbc.ca/1.2028097.1381639003!/ht...ives/original_300/ns-mi-roy-building.jpg


http://www.condonova.ca/

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

Here are some relatively recent photos of the model, for what they're worth. The Barrington (obviously considered the front) elevation definitely seems far more interesting than the Granville / back side, which could also be considered the front in terms of the skyline view from the harbour...

The 'original building' is disappointing along Granville. I used to love the array of windows, arches and ledges. The larger windows seem unnecessary to me for this portion, and also make the building seem smaller (when in fact it's wider than the original and about the same height).

On the plus side though, they are rebuilding the original six storeys along Barrington, with a nice two-storey store front, whereas earlier plans had 5 storeys with fewer, larger windows and apparently single storey retail. I wonder if this change was facilitated by converting this portion to parking instead of offices.

Thanks for the clarification and information. Yes, I've always considered the Barrington side to be the front, but I suppose the harbour side could be considered the front as well...

I agree that the Granville side is a bit of a loss compared to the original building. I always thought that side looked interesting and impressive for a brick structure, even in its more run-down days (as in the photo below).



http://halifaxbloggers.ca/noticedinnovascotia/2016/01/fire-build/

The Barrington side looks much better in its latest configuration. There are some lost details there, but I'll try not to be too nitpicky. As long as they build it with quality materials so that it doesn't look obviously faux-heritage then I'm on board.

[ILoveHalifax]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Thanks for the clarification and information. Yes, I've always considered the Barrington side to be the front, but I suppose the harbour side could be considered the front as well...

I agree that the Granville side is a bit of a loss compared to the original building. I always thought that side looked interesting and impressive for a brick structure, even in its more run-down days.



http://halifaxbloggers.ca/noticedinnovascotia/2016/01/fire-build/

The Barrington side looks much better in its latest configuration. There are some lost details there, but I'll try not to be too nitpicky. As long as they build it with quality materials so that it doesn't look obviously faux-heritage then I'm on board.

This picture is the Granville St entrance and Barrington St was the front of the building. That is the way it was according to Kay Roy who owned and ran it until bought by Empire

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax

This picture is the Granville St entrance

That's how I meant it to read. I edited my post to make it more clear. Thanks!

[Colin May]

As a TD and BNS shareholder I hope they have a low exposure to this and certain other properties.

[Metalsales]

You are not going to see too much detail in the second to sixth floors as these are all parking levels. I assume they will be very plain

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Colin May

As a TD and BNS shareholder I hope they have a low exposure to this and certain other properties.

I can personally guarantee you that the nation's major banks are not going to be brought to their knees by some Halifax condo developments gone bad.

[Jonovision]

A quick update from today. Exciting to see two new restaurants opening on this block as well.