Great Canadian Skyline Thread II - Page 351

isaidso · #**7001** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 10:04 PM**

Halifax would have gotten 2 pre-war skyscrapers had Royal Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia kept their HQ there. That said, the setting really helps Halifax have a sense of place. Right on the Atlantic with a big inner basin, then 2 suspension bridges across the narrows.

I just hope I see the day that Halifax builds a subway loop: Halifax-Dartmouth-Bedford-Halifax. Then one can just build other lines off of that one.

GeneralLea · #**7002** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 10:11 PM**

Yea, I'd agree. The way Halifax established historically has really allowed it to become a dense and unique, interesting and contrasting downtown. The city's growth can be seen from the assortments of structures through the area, and really improved transit is all they need.

I like the idea of a subway, though I'd wonder what the city would find "financially feasible" to go outward to the 'burbs. I can't wait for Dartmouth to gentrify too.....there's a lot of armpits in that place.

isaidso · #**7003** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 10:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralLeeTPHLS

Yea, I'd agree. The way Halifax established historically has really allowed it to become a dense and unique, interesting and contrasting downtown. The city's growth can be seen from the assortments of structures through the area, and really improved transit is all they need.

I like the idea of a subway, though I'd wonder what the city would find "financially feasible" to go outward to the 'burbs. I can't wait for Dartmouth to gentrify too.....there's a lot of armpits in that place.

It's likely viewed as transit that only 2 million+ metros build but it makes a lot of sense for Halifax. There just isn't any space above ground for transit. To get on Halifax peninsula at rush hour is ridiculous. One lane roads with only 4 entry points.

They should ask the feds for some infrastructure money. A subway would be a huge boost to the city, alleviate congestion, and make commuting efficient. It's mess right now.

Martin Mtl · #**7004** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 11:37 PM**

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhFdxjQFxlq/?tagged=montreal

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhFRf20HEoG/?taken-by=f.bnz

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCswbIneck/?taken-by=f.bnz

MonctonRad · #**7005** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 12:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

It's likely viewed as transit that only 2 million+ metros build but it makes a lot of sense for Halifax. There just isn't any space above ground for transit. To get on Halifax peninsula at rush hour is ridiculous. One lane roads with only 4 entry points.

They should ask the feds for some infrastructure money. A subway would be a huge boost to the city, alleviate congestion, and make commuting efficient. It's mess right now.

Agree with you about the "choke points" for access to the peninsula.

A subway would be insanely expensive (Halifax has about three inches of topsoil on a hard granite base). Commuter rail however would be an easy fix (the main line goes right to downtown and passes Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University, Halifax Sopping Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Bedford and Sackville along the way. This could be supplemented by LRT or trolleys on the peninsula proper. Suburban bus routes could feed the suburban commuter rail stations.

O-tacular · #**7006** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 1:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

Montreal's skyline's growth is especially heartening when considering that it's coming after DECADES of stagnation and despair. When I joined SSP we were all tripping about cheap-🞵🞵🞵 PoMo 28 storey condos. Now we couldnt be less bothered when one is proposed.

The skyline is growing around an already dense and storied urban fabric. For me, a skyline is truly interesting when it is a collection of different styles from different epochs.

No offense to Calgary, Edmonton et al. but a collection of giant brand new towers will never be as interesting to me as one that is made up of pre-war skyscrapers, Church spires, domes thrown in with modern towers.

In this respect, Ive always wished Halifax had built for itself more than one or two pre-war 'skyscrapers'.

I wish Calgary had some Art Deco towers. The closest we have is the old Barron building which currently is rotting without tenants as the property manager decides what to do. Then of course there is the Palliser hotel. The Elveden Centre is the equivalent of our Mad Men towers. The view from Stephen Ave has more of an interesting contrast of old and new. As do views from Bridgeland or the Beltline where you have older churches with domes or spires. Nothing on the scale of what you have out East but still interesting.

someone123 · #**7007** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 2:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

Halifax would have gotten 2 pre-war skyscrapers had Royal Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia kept their HQ there. That said, the setting really helps Halifax have a sense of place. Right on the Atlantic with a big inner basin, then 2 suspension bridges across the narrows.

The Bank of NS did build a large building in Halifax in 1929, but it is short and boxy. Like the Dominion Building and others in the area, it is great at street level but hard to appreciate in skyline photos because there are a bunch of buildings of similar height packed in together. It is hard to even take pictures of these buildings because there is so little space around them.

Queen's Marque is being built next to these buildings and will be similar in height and also clad largely in sandstone. It probably won't do much for the skyline but the feel around that area is going to be pretty unique as far as Canadian cities go.

someone123 · #**7008** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 2:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A subway would be insanely expensive (Halifax has about three inches of topsoil on a hard granite base). Commuter rail however would be an easy fix (the main line goes right to downtown and passes Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University, Halifax Sopping Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Bedford and Sackville along the way. This could be supplemented by LRT or trolleys on the peninsula proper. Suburban bus routes could feed the suburban commuter rail stations.

A subway would be prohibitively expensive. The city has already started funding commuter rail, but they say they are waiting for CN to provide them with track accessibility and pricing for using the rail lines.

If not for the problems with CN there probably would already be commuter rail (or service never would have stopped). It is too bad these rail lines are managed so poorly. They were originally built by taxpayers and were public infrastructure for decades.

Coldrsx · #**7009** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 3:00 PM**

ISS over Edmonton

www.twitter.com/wherezjeff

Black Star · #**7010** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 3:25 PM**

International space station.........

Such a clear sky. Cool shot.

Coldrsx · #**7011** Posted **Apr 3, 2018, 10:39 PM**

www.twitter.com/browettnick

q12 · #**7012** Posted **Apr 4, 2018, 3:00 PM**

Halifax by L K, on Flickr

isaidso · #**7013** Posted **Apr 4, 2018, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Agree with you about the "choke points" for access to the peninsula.

A subway would be insanely expensive (Halifax has about three inches of topsoil on a hard granite base). Commuter rail however would be an easy fix (the main line goes right to downtown and passes Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University, Halifax Sopping Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Bedford and Sackville along the way. This could be supplemented by LRT or trolleys on the peninsula proper. Suburban bus routes could feed the suburban commuter rail stations.

Building subways is expensive everywhere. The price isn't going to go down if Halifax puts it off. Road surface space is at a premium so putting transit there doesn't make sense long term.

If Switzerland can build ~430km of tunnels through mountains, Halifax can build 30km around the Basin. They could at least start with a Dartmouth-Halifax-Bedford section. This is just one of those infrastructure investments that countries/cities build even though its expensive. First rate transit is imperative in the competitive world we live in. Halifax can either balk at the price and fall further behind the competition or make the investment and close the gap.

I already know Halifax will choose the first option so I admit it's pointless to debate it.

MolsonExport · #**7014** Posted **Apr 4, 2018, 4:44 PM**

No city in Canada has first-rate transit (compared against, say, Oslo or Vienna). Quite frankly, no city in Canada even has second-rate transit. Montreal probably comes out closest to second-rate.

Most American cities have fourth-rate or worse transit.