[Halifax] The Marlstone (1871 Albemarle) | 19 FL | U/C - Page 5

new2halifax · #1 Posted **Oct 2, 2023, 12:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Building permit was approved this week.

Looking forward to this one! The area needs it. Any word when they will start working on it?

someone123 · #2 Posted **Jun 19, 2023, 5:46 PM**

There was also a story about a new Winners in Scotia Square with its own entrance around Duke Street. I wonder if they will renovate the mall portion while this project is built? Then in a few years when the interchange lands are done maybe there will be some construction projects at the other end.

It'll be interesting to see how this area turns out in a few years. There are some not so great old developments but it'll have more density and pedestrian connectivity (Granville Mall will no longer be a dead end for example). In general the city is growing a lot and there's more wealth and population around the inner areas that could support more vibrancy downtown.

aga10 · #3 Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 1:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

There was also a story about a new Winners in Scotia Square with its own entrance around Duke Street. I wonder if they will renovate the mall portion while this project is built? Then in a few years when the interchange lands are done maybe there will be some construction projects at the other end.

It'll be interesting to see how this area turns out in a few years. There are some not so great old developments but it'll have more density and pedestrian connectivity (Granville Mall will no longer be a dead end for example). In general the city is growing a lot and there's more wealth and population around the inner areas that could support more vibrancy downtown.

Granville Mall not being a dead end any longer is a great point. I think it is a very under appreciated and overlooked area of the city. With Armour Group buying Barrington Place, and likely buying the NSCAD portion by the end of the decade, that area will be totally revitalized. You could probably bet on them purchasing Parcel A of the Cogswell Redevelopment plan as well once it hits the market as it is adjacent to Barrington Place. With Armour's reputation, it could make for a great restoration/densification of the area.

someone123 · #4 Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 4:06 PM**

The other side of those buildings will change too since they will front onto park space instead of the interchange. They are in so-so shape today with many entrances blocked off and some dull looking paint jobs. The Granville block is one of the nicest historic commercial blocks in Canada.

I was recently in Portugal and despite being a poorer country they do a much better job of maintaining a vastly larger inventory historic buildings. People have their list of excuses for this (Halifax buildings are poorly built somehow, the weather means Halifax can't have old buildings like Montreal or Quebec City, and so on) but I think it's a matter of priorities and understanding the value of the resource. If you take a close look at most heritage buildings in Halifax, even in heritage districts like Barrington, the level of maintenance isn't great.

Anyway, that whole area could be radically different with some tactical improvements to the historic buildings, a nicer public realm, and a couple of new developments that complement the history like Queen's Marque.

There is also Press Block which might have an impact a bit like Queen's Marque, filling some gaps in with complementary infill, although it's not clear yet how it will turn out. One big factor is simply real masonry vs. uglier prefab materials.

NorthernGreg · #5 Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 8:23 PM**

Went by this site on my way down Duke and noticed there were barricades blocking a lane on Albemarle. Looks like construction will commence soon on this site

Jstaleness · #6 Posted **Jun 21, 2023, 5:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernGreg

Went by this site on my way down Duke and noticed there were barricades blocking a lane on Albemarle. Looks like construction will commence soon on this site

Excellent Smithers!

someone123 · #7 Posted **Dec 18, 2023, 8:17 PM**

The crane base has gone in for this one. It's a somewhat unique project as they're building it on the existing tower pad. I wonder how much the pad provides a blank slate vs. dictating the structure, crane placement, and so on. Presumably it'll proceed a lot faster than a project requiring excavation.

Summerville · #8 Posted **Dec 19, 2023, 11:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

The crane base has gone in for this one. It's a somewhat unique project as they're building it on the existing tower pad. I wonder how much the pad provides a blank slate vs. dictating the structure, crane placement, and so on. Presumably it'll proceed a lot faster than a project requiring excavation.

I would say that they are starting from scratch. They have pulled new conduit through the existing roof under what will be the whole footprint for plumbing, electricity, etc, have installed elaborate rebar on top of the roof and have been pouring a huge concrete slab,…I think at least 30cm thick. The crane base is there and will be cemented in during one of the pours

Up to this point, they were underpinning in the existing structure. A lot of that work, which was substantial has occurred out of sight

Empire · #9 Posted **Dec 19, 2023, 12:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summerville

I would say that they are starting from scratch. They have pulled new conduit through the existing roof under what will be the whole footprint for plumbing, electricity, etc, have installed elaborate rebar on top of the roof and have been pouring a huge concrete slab,…I think at least 30cm thick. The crane base is there and will be cemented in during one of the pours

Up to this point, they were underpinning in the existing structure. A lot of that work, which was substantial has occurred out of sight

I am quite sure the columns and foundation footings were sized for an expansion and additional compressive load. You cannot add 19 floors to a structure that was designed to be 2 floors. Maritime Centre built in structural capacity so that 8 floors were able to be added and this is what should have happened with the existing QEII Health Sciences Centre. Maybe for some new builds extra structural bearing capacity could be written into the development so the building could add additional floors in future?

alps · #10 Posted **Dec 19, 2023, 1:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Empire

I am quite sure the columns and foundation footings were sized for an expansion and additional compressive load. You cannot add 19 floors to a structure that was designed to be 2 floors. Maritime Centre built in structural capacity so that 8 floors were able to be added and this is what should have happened with the existing QEII Health Sciences Centre. Maybe for some new builds extra structural bearing capacity could be written into the development so the building could add additional floors in future?

I could be wrong, but my impression was that they were building new columns down through the existing structure.

ScovaNotian · #11 Posted **Dec 19, 2023, 2:29 PM**

I'm curious what's going to happen immediately to the north and the east of the Marlstone. There seems to be roof space left that could either be a very neat outdoor space or a concrete wasteland as before.

Dmajackson · #12 Posted **Dec 21, 2023, 5:16 PM**

I felt a bit guilty being in a nice dry, heated pedway taking this photo but the angle is great.

HalifaxDevelopments.ca (Photo by David Jackson)

Summerville · #13 Posted **Jan 24, 2024, 8:31 PM**

Slab is finished and crane is going up today.

Looks like the slab was between 2 to 3 feet thick

Jstaleness · #14 Posted **Jan 24, 2024, 9:41 PM**

It will be dark(ish) but I'll see if I can get few Crane shots when I am down here for the Thunderbirds game Saturday night.

Jstaleness · #15 Posted **Feb 8, 2024, 2:16 PM**

Not the best quality, but a snap I took after the Thunderbirds game last week.

Arrdeeharharharbour · #16 Posted **Aug 26, 2024, 12:47 PM**

This first pic taken in Scotia Square on the lower level. I wonder if this location will be an entrance/exit to the Marlstone?

20240825_133636_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_134120_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_133920 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_134651 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_134151 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_133649 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

20240825_134917 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

IanWatson · #17 Posted **Sep 26, 2024, 12:39 PM**

The window wall has been going in on the lower floors. Keep meaning to grab a photo but haven't got around to it yet. Looks good though!

terrynorthend · #18 Posted **Sep 26, 2024, 3:32 PM**

Pleased with how fast this is taking shape since construction started. Amazing how much time below grade excavation and building in Halifax's bedrock add to project timeliness!

Arrdeeharharharbour · #19 Posted **Oct 5, 2024, 3:17 PM**

These pics are nearly a week old. Gotta love the look of window wall vs. small punch-out style windows in pre-cast. Not to throw too much shade on pre-cast which has its place in attractive building design too.
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20240929_155203_HDR by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr

20240929_155243_HDR by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr

Dmajackson · #20 Posted **Oct 22, 2024, 11:04 PM**

Does anyone know how this building will interact with the pedway system? They've put up plywood along the building face but there appears to remain a gap between the building and the pedway. There is also a residential patio door really close to the pedway and at rooftoop level.

I know there will be a direct access down at Scotia Square but a simple secure-access door at this level would be beneficial for quick access to Brunswick Street (retail, Scotiabank Centre, SGR, ect are all at that level).

HalifaxDevelopments.ca (Photo by David Jackson)