General Updates and News

[Jonovision]

Also noticed this new public art that went in thanks to StarFish Properties.

20170504_194517 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

It was certainly a good discussion. This particular point though can be fixed by using multi story retail. Where the big box/large floorplate stores go on the second level and the ground level is left with the fine grained pattern that makes the street exciting and lively for pedestrians. I believe this type of policy exists withing the Centre Plan.

This is one of the big reasons I hated to see Westwood's Doyle Block-demolition. Architecture aside, I can't imagine the new building having as lively a street presence as the old block, divided into three different buildings and six distinct storefronts of varying sizes.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

This is one of the big reasons I hated to see Westwood's Doyle Block-demolition. Architecture aside, I can't imagine the new building having as lively a street presence as the old block, divided into three different buildings and six distinct storefronts of varying sizes.

Agreed. However, now that it has been fully committed the only choice we have is to wait and see.

I won't reiterate my disappointment with this project at this point, I'll only hope that it turns out better than I'm imagining it will.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

It was certainly a good discussion. This particular point though can be fixed by using multi story retail. Where the big box/large floorplate stores go on the second level and the ground level is left with the fine grained pattern that makes the street exciting and lively for pedestrians. I believe this type of policy exists withing the Centre Plan.

That seems like a good solution for the issue, and I'm relieved to hear it's included in the Centre Plan. Thanks!

[someone123]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Agreed. However, now that it has been fully committed the only choice we have is to wait and see.

I was very disappointed by the demolition but, taking a step back, the Doyle Block proposal itself is pretty good. I don't think there would have been a lot of complaints about it had it been built on a parking lot. I do agree that the larger monolithic facade and undifferentiated storefronts are a problem. The Vic was pretty successful in avoiding this effect (although the fix is cosmetic; there is still an impact when older, more affordable buildings disappear and ownership is more concentrated amongst a smaller group of landlords).

My hope with the Doyle is that it will attract some larger businesses that wouldn't have otherwise come to the street. It will offer some larger, modern commercial spaces with good visibility in a prime spot.

I am not sure exactly how many people will live there but once the latest projects are completed (Doyle, Pavilion, Margaretta), there won't be any major holes in the main Spring Garden Road area. The population density in that neighbourhood must be considerable. There aren't many areas like that outside of major cities in North America, and even in the bigger cities you don't see finer-grained modern development very often. Most high density neighbourhoods in Canada are just clusters of highrises.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

I was very disappointed by the demolition but, taking a step back, the Doyle Block proposal itself is pretty good. I don't think there would have been a lot of complaints about it had it been built on a parking lot. I do agree that the larger monolithic facade and undifferentiated storefronts are a problem. The Vic was pretty successful in avoiding this effect (although the fix is cosmetic; there is still an impact when older, more affordable buildings disappear and ownership is more concentrated amongst a smaller group of landlords).

My hope with the Doyle is that it will attract some larger businesses that wouldn't have otherwise come to the street. It will offer some larger, modern commercial spaces with good visibility in a prime spot.

I am not sure exactly how many people will live there but once the latest projects are completed (Doyle, Pavilion, Margaretta), there won't be any major holes in the main Spring Garden Road area. The population density in that neighbourhood must be considerable. There aren't many areas like that outside of major cities in North America, and even in the bigger cities you don't see finer-grained modern development very often. Most high density neighbourhoods in Canada are just clusters of highrises.

Like you, I would appreciate this development much more had it happened on an empty lot. Likewise I am holding out hope that it will work for the area and be more attractive than the renderings indicate.

I do share your optimism, however I am having a hard time shedding my disappointment that several of the pre-existing structures were not incorporated into a well-thought-out project that accomplished the same goals.

Again, will reserve judgment until it is finished. The Maple has actually exceeded my expectations now that it is down to finish work, and I'm hoping for a similar result here.

[bluenoser]

An update on the old Dartmouth City Hall

Former Dartmouth city hall gets a new lease on life
THE CHRONICLE HERALD
Published May 5, 2017 - 5:27pm
Last Updated May 5, 2017 - 6:51pm

After at least two near deals fell through, Dartmouth’s former city hall is about to get a shot at a new lease on life.
Starfish Properties picked the mid-century modern beauty up in a tender bid on April 18 and plans are underway to repurpose 90 Alderney Drive.
...
“We’re going to renovate the building . . . we’re going to get to it quite quickly,” Reznick said in a phone interview from his Toronto office.
“We’ve been doing heritage buildings for quite some time in Halifax. We’re going to continue that process with this building.”
...
"...we want to make it a hub... make it a location that’s exciting to get to and to be at.”

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1465950-former-dartmouth-city-hall-gets-a-new-lease-on-life

[Dmajackson]

No photos yet but I noticed yesterday on my drive home 3090 Barrington (at Young Street) is being demolished. There are plans for a mid-rise residential building.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

An update on the old Dartmouth City Hall



http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1465950-former-dartmouth-city-hall-gets-a-new-lease-on-life

Hey that's great news, actually. I always thought the old Dartmouth City Hall building had a certain mid-century coolness that you don't see much of anymore. I like the idea of repurposing the building into a combination of retail/office, though retail/residential would be cool too (probably not zoned for it) - not sure what they would do about parking for residential, though. It would be so close to transit you probably wouldn't need a car to live there.

Glad to see this and kudos to Reznick for recognizing a diamond in the rough. Looking forward to the architectural renderings.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6642712,-...I1Ux0K73wrLYw203IZesA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

No photos yet but I noticed yesterday on my drive home 3090 Barrington (at Young Street) is being demolished. There are plans for a mid-rise residential building.

Huh. When I was a little kid back in the '60s my friend lived just up from there - I believe it was a Fairbanks-Morse facility back then. When they were closed we used to play ball in their paved lot on the south side of the building.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Hey that's great news, actually. I always thought the old Dartmouth City Hall building had a certain mid-century coolness that you don't see much of anymore. I like the idea of repurposing the building into a combination of retail/office, though retail/residential would be cool too (probably not zoned for it) - not sure what they would do about parking for residential, though. It would be so close to transit you probably wouldn't need a car to live there.

Glad to see this and kudos to Reznick for recognizing a diamond in the rough. Looking forward to the architectural renderings.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6642712,-...I1Ux0K73wrLYw203IZesA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

PVSC shows a sale price of $0 and a sale date of April 18 2017 Strange !
Sam Austin has a good description of the sale and a map showing where development is not allowed : http://www.samaustin.ca/news-old-city-hall-sale-and-a-new-museum/ scroll down for the survey description

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Colin May

PVSC shows a sale price of $0 and a sale date of April 18 2017 Strange !
Sam Austin has a good description of the sale and a map showing where development is not allowed : http://www.samaustin.ca/news-old-city-hall-sale-and-a-new-museum/ scroll down for the survey description

Thanks Colin. Strange about the sale data - perhaps it just hasn't been entered yet or was keyed-in incorrectly?

So if I understand this right, the area that I've outlined in red below could potentially be developed for this project?



Interesting.... looking forward to the details.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Thanks Colin. Strange about the sale data - perhaps it just hasn't been entered yet or was keyed-in incorrectly?

So if I understand this right, the area that I've outlined in red below could potentially be developed for this project?



Interesting.... looking forward to the details.

Looks about right. In 2015 the wooden survey markers were visible but they are gone.
The $0 price is strange, tomorrow I'll contact PVSC and ask for an explanation.
Such a price appears when a property is transferred to a related party, you selling to your kids or spouse and DTT would not be payable. The sale was not posted on PVSC until after the end of April, I checked late on April 29 and it did not show as sold and 2 days later I took off to Toronto for a week.
Assessment data and property sales in Ontario is not freely available, its almost all secret.
Last year I spent several months assembling data on capped residential property assessments and ownership in metro and a few other areas. The figures and information are astounding.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Colin May

Looks about right. In 2015 the wooden survey markers were visible but they are gone.
The $0 price is strange, tomorrow I'll contact PVSC and ask for an explanation.
Such a price appears when a property is transferred to a related party, you selling to your kids or spouse and DTT would not be payable. The sale was not posted on PVSC until after the end of April, I checked late on April 29 and it did not show as sold and 2 days later I took off to Toronto for a week.
Assessment data and property sales in Ontario is not freely available, its almost all secret.
Last year I spent several months assembling data on capped residential property assessments and ownership in metro and a few other areas. The figures and information are astounding.

I'm interested to see what you can find out, as I gather from Sam's writings that this will largely comprise the budget for a new museum. Nice to see stuff happening in that part of Dartmouth!

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I'm interested to see what you can find out, as I gather from Sam's writings that this will largely comprise the budget for a new museum. Nice to see stuff happening in that part of Dartmouth!

$2.48 million

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Colin May

$2.48 million

Thanks Colin. That's not too far off the previous asking price as outlined in the Chronicle Herald article. Hopefully the plan to use those funds for a museum stands firm, as Dartmouth's artifacts haven't been available for public viewing for quite some time now - it needs a home.

[kph06]

The Fleet Club on Barrington is in the midst of demolition. The walls are gone, the structure will probably follow this week.

[Dmajackson]

3090 BARRINGTON STREET


Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

--------------------------------------------------------------

5540 KAYE STREET


Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

5540 KAYE STREET


Halifax Developments Blog (Photo by David Jackson)

That's a pretty neat building, whose construction has seemingly flown under the radar. Have there been any details posted here? I don't recall seeing it, but could have easily missed it...

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

That's a pretty neat building, whose construction has seemingly flown under the radar. Have there been any details posted here? I don't recall seeing it, but could have easily missed it...

With this and the St. Joseph's project rising at the same time, the commercial area around the Hydrostone is starting to feel less town-ish and a bit more city-ish.

That Dulux paint store and its big parking lot at Isleville and Young is crying out to be infilled next.