[Halifax] The Doyle | ??m | 7 fl | Completed

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by TheGreenBastard

Rumour: Apple will either be opening a second location or moving from HSC to the Doyle on Spring Garden Road.

My source is literally heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy
Anyone else hear something similar?

I wouldn't be surprised. I think this area is a far more natural location for an Apple store than a mall, even one as well connected by transit as HSC.

I had heard the rumor that Apple had seriously looked at Spring Garden locations before going with the HSC... so, maybe planned to come back eventually.

[someone123]

Source

[Jonovision]

20161024_151010 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

20161024_160127 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[OldDartmouthMark]

Every time I see local excavations, I'm still amazed at how much rock exists just below the surface around here. Thanks for the pics!

[Jonovision]

Setting up for the crane base.

20161105_170121 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Jonovision]

20161105_170236_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Jonovision]

20161108_122754 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[ns_kid]

Thursday, the city's Design Review Committee unanimously passed the 16 requested land-use variances required to allow the Doyle Block development to proceed.

It was the last hurdle for the project and Westwood developer Danny Chedrawe says construction will begin as early as next week.

Save the View proponent Peggy Cameron was back to urge the committee to "seriously reconsider" the project but Chedrawe insists the cherished view from the library will not be compromised. Library architect George Cotaras was there to say the library was intended to stimulate growth in the area, not stop it. He called the Doyle "good development".

Chedrawe called this his "signature development" and said he's spending upwards of $1 million on improvements to the streetscape, including burying utility lines, new street lights, trees, public art, and 3-metre wide sidewalks.

[bluenoser]

(Putting aside my prior issues with this building and/or the height restrictions that governed its design)

They seem to have added a second floor of retail at the corner of Queen, and opened it up through to the little plaza at the corner of Doyle. This makes a world of difference to me; earlier plans had a very low-slung street presence which looked like an afterthought, especially for such a prominent corner. I think it also helps a bit in breaking up look of one long block where there were several buildings before.

Also, it almost looks like they've moved the 7th floor back a bit to try and accommodate the library view of the Citadel?

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

Also, it almost looks like they've moved the 7th floor back a bit to try and accommodate the library view of the Citadel?

Yeah, it does look like that.

Is this building even taller than the library's top floor? Given the scale from these pictures and the fact that the citadel is taller than both buildings... I don't even think its going to block the view?

Next thing we know... the anti-development people will be complaining about the views from Nova Centre being blocked by a future development.

[Dmajackson]

Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

[someone123]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

I had heard the rumor that Apple had seriously looked at Spring Garden locations before going with the HSC... so, maybe planned to come back eventually.

If I remember correctly there was an interview of Danny Chedrawe way back when. He said Apple was considering a location on Spring Garden Road but that there weren't any major retail sites that were deemed suitable. This seems like a valid complaint about downtown Halifax circa 2010 to me. Maybe the Doyle will add some nice new spaces; the Roy will have some big storefronts as well. It's regrettable that the old buildings on the Doyle site were lost but I think the new design looks good, even if it is a bit grey.

There is an opportunity to put something similar on the empty corner lot next to St. Mary's Basilica. The old library represents a big opportunity as well. Downtown Halifax would be better if there were more to see along the paths between Barrington and Spring Garden Road.

I could see two Apple stores operating in the Halifax area. They have a much wider commercial appeal now than they did in the pre-iPhone era when Apple stores first opened in a few major cities.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by someone123

I could see two Apple stores operating in the Halifax area. They have a much wider commercial appeal now than they did in the pre-iPhone era when Apple stores first opened in a few major cities.

This location would be ideal for an Apple store that could cater to students.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by someone123

If I remember correctly there was an interview of Danny Chedrawe way back when. He said Apple was considering a location on Spring Garden Road but that there weren't any major retail sites that were deemed suitable. This seems like a valid complaint about downtown Halifax circa 2010 to me. Maybe the Doyle will add some nice new spaces; the Roy will have some big storefronts as well. It's regrettable that the old buildings on the Doyle site were lost but I think the new design looks good, even if it is a bit grey.

There is an opportunity to put something similar on the empty corner lot next to St. Mary's Basilica. The old library represents a big opportunity as well. Downtown Halifax would be better if there were more to see along the paths between Barrington and Spring Garden Road.

I could see two Apple stores operating in the Halifax area. They have a much wider commercial appeal now than they did in the pre-iPhone era when Apple stores first opened in a few major cities.

Totally agree, on all counts. Doyle would be the perfect location for an Apple store.

Also, if we can have a string of interesting things along that part of SGR, would do wonders to connect SGR's busier parts further up and Barrington. If people are enticed to walk down and around Barrington, it would do wonders for these two essential core streets.

Has there been any news on what's happening in the Old Library? Last I heard Volta Labs was going to open up in there, but that seems to have ground to a halt.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

If I remember correctly there was an interview of Danny Chedrawe way back when. He said Apple was considering a location on Spring Garden Road but that there weren't any major retail sites that were deemed suitable. This seems like a valid complaint about downtown Halifax circa 2010 to me. Maybe the Doyle will add some nice new spaces; the Roy will have some big storefronts as well. It's regrettable that the old buildings on the Doyle site were lost but I think the new design looks good, even if it is a bit grey.

There is an opportunity to put something similar on the empty corner lot next to St. Mary's Basilica. The old library represents a big opportunity as well. Downtown Halifax would be better if there were more to see along the paths between Barrington and Spring Garden Road.

I could see two Apple stores operating in the Halifax area. They have a much wider commercial appeal now than they did in the pre-iPhone era when Apple stores first opened in a few major cities.

The new building design is still a little "Meh" for me, but IMHO it will look better than the Mary Ann down the street. Of course I'll reserve my final opinion until it's actually built, as often renderings don't show accurately how it will look in person.

[kph06]

This crane is now up.

[Jonovision]

20161126_160109 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

20161126_160809 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Jonovision]

20161202_130200 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Duff]

[Jonovision]

20170108_161718_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr