Development Rumours - Page 124

pblaauw · #**2461** Posted **Jul 26, 2018, 2:52 AM**

Does Steele Hotels have anything to do with Steele Auto Group?

ns_kid · #**2462** Posted **Jul 26, 2018, 10:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pblaauw

Does Steele Hotels have anything to do with Steele Auto Group?

As far as I know, Steele Auto Group is controlled by Rob Steele; Steele Hotels by his brother John. As I understand it, the hotel chain was part of father Harry Steele's Newfoundland Capital Corporation, whose primary business line is broadcasting and communications. But NCC was sold earlier this year to Stingray Digital Media Group of Montreal. The press release makes no mention of Steele Hotels so I presume it was retained by the family.

pblaauw · #**2463** Posted **Jul 28, 2018, 3:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ns_kid

As far as I know, Steele Auto Group is controlled by Rob Steele; Steele Hotels by his brother John. As I understand it, the hotel chain was part of father Harry Steele's Newfoundland Capital Corporation, whose primary business line is broadcasting and communications. But NCC was sold earlier this year to Stingray Digital Media Group of Montreal. The press release makes no mention of Steele Hotels so I presume it was retained by the family.

Thanks for the info.

Corker · #**2464** Posted **Sep 13, 2018, 3:17 AM**

I got an email from Canada Lands Company:

Canada Lands Company is pleased to invite you to an information meeting regarding its 1557 Hollis Street property.

Join us to learn about Canada Lands, what it does and how it operates, as well as receive information regarding the upcoming engagement process for the redevelopment of the site. If you plan to attend we would appreciate notice through an RSVP at: [email protected]

Light refreshments will be served. Thank you.

MEETING LOCATION
• Four Points by Sheraton Halifax, 1496 Hollis Street, Compass Room
• September 19, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

IanWatson · #**2465** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 6:17 PM**

HRM's Alderney offices have a proposal information sign up for the Tramway Building. I didn't snap a picture, but it looks like the proposal is to add two glass floors on top and restore the concrete.

someone123 · #**2466** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 7:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanWatson

HRM's Alderney offices have a proposal information sign up for the Tramway Building. I didn't snap a picture, but it looks like the proposal is to add two glass floors on top and restore the concrete.

The Tramway building is the sort of building most people probably don't appreciate much. It was designed by Andrew Cobb and built in 1916. It would have been modern looking for its day, similar to something like the central library in our era. It's the only building of its kind in the city. The "preventive maintenance" of a few years ago really ruined it.

I also like how Barrington is developing a taller streetwall of mostly narrow facades. This type of development is rare in Canada, and it is only happening today because of the planning regime in the area and the age of the block layout. Barrington is going to be more or less unique in a few years.

OldDartmouthMark · #**2467** Posted **Sep 19, 2018, 4:59 PM**

Sounds promising. I'm wondering what structural changes will have to be made to support the additional floors.

Restoring the concrete will be great as it has been left in a shabby condition for years. Would be nice if they removed the brick at the bottom floor which was added sometime in the '90s (I think) and restore the ground level to its original appearance, which I believe would be similar in appearance to this photo from the 1950s:

Source - Halifax Municipal Archives

A footnote regarding Andrew Cobb: I had no idea until I looked it up that he died as a result of a bus accident - a tragic end to such an accomplished life.

Quote:

He worked mainly in Nova Scotia and was busy until he was killed at the age of 68. He and three others were killed instantly when the city bus on which they were travelling was struck by a car.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_R._Cobb

pblaauw · #**2468** Posted **Sep 20, 2018, 3:16 AM**

For anyone interested in the future of the Ralston building site at the corner of Hollis and Salter, Canada Lands Company has a website here. Not much detail given at the meeting, but the most interesting part was that they hope to start dismantling the building by next spring.

someone123 · #**2469** Posted **Sep 20, 2018, 3:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pblaauw

For anyone interested in the future of the Ralston building site at the corner of Hollis and Salter, Canada Lands Company has a website here. Not much detail given at the meeting, but the most interesting part was that they hope to start dismantling the building by next spring.

Did they explain why they are demolishing it instead of incorporating it into a new development? Do they know what the new development will be yet, or are they demolishing before they have a plan?

The building has or had some sort of heritage designation. There were only so many 1950's office buildings in Halifax, and the Bank of Canada building next door has already been demolished. I think both demolitions are a mistake as far as the character of the city goes.

IanWatson · #**2470** Posted **Sep 20, 2018, 12:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

The building has or had some sort of heritage designation. There were only so many 1950's office buildings in Halifax, and the Bank of Canada building next door has already been demolished. I think both demolitions are a mistake as far as the character of the city goes.

I do believe it's actually a federal heritage designation. I guess they can ignore / easily remove their own designation?

What I can't figure out is why they're bothering to consult on this at all. It's in the Downtown Plan Area. There are already modern planning rules that apply to the site. Since Canada Lands will be selling the site to a developer, do they intend to put some sort of restrictive covenant on the site that ties the developer to the consulted design??

It's not like Shannon Park where they'll be writing brand new planning rules for the site.

someone123 · #**2471** Posted **Sep 20, 2018, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanWatson

I do believe it's actually a federal heritage designation. I guess they can ignore / easily remove their own designation?

This still looks pretty bad though. One arm of the federal government puts plaques on the building and writes reports on why it's historically significant while another wants to tear it down.

Quote:

What I can't figure out is why they're bothering to consult on this at all. It's in the Downtown Plan Area. There are already modern planning rules that apply to the site. Since Canada Lands will be selling the site to a developer, do they intend to put some sort of restrictive covenant on the site that ties the developer to the consulted design??

It's not like Shannon Park where they'll be writing brand new planning rules for the site.

Many "consultations" are really just informational, or designed to let the locals let off steam before the original plan is executed.

teddifax · #**2472** Posted **Sep 20, 2018, 6:55 PM**

I don't see anything worth saving with this building. It is UGLY!!! Plus, for years, they have had to have braces on the building, to prevent slabs from falling... I will be glad to see it go and hopefully replaced with an Architecturally significant building.... What would be the height restriction on this site?

ns_kid · #**2473** Posted **Sep 21, 2018, 12:26 AM**

A Public Works manager told me at least seven years ago the property is worth more with the building gone. Unfortunately the cost of rehabilitating the Ralston Building will be far more than the structure is worth. Unlike the Armoury, any historical value here likely could not justify the expenditure of tax dollars.

eastcoastal · #**2474** Posted **Sep 24, 2018, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddifax

... What would be the height restriction on this site?

I took a look at the Land Use Bylaw... Zoned DH-1 (Downtown Halifax 1), in Precinct 4 - Lower Central Downtown, with pre-bonus maximum height of 51m and post-bonus 66m. I didn't take the time to sort out from where and to what the heights are measured.

Ziobrop · #**2475** Posted **Sep 24, 2018, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Sounds promising. I'm wondering what structural changes will have to be made to support the additional floors.

Restoring the concrete will be great as it has been left in a shabby condition for years. Would be nice if they removed the brick at the bottom floor which was added sometime in the '90s (I think) and restore the ground level to its original appearance, which I believe would be similar in appearance to this photo from the 1950s:

Source - Halifax Municipal Archives

A footnote regarding Andrew Cobb: I had no idea until I looked it up that he died as a result of a bus accident - a tragic end to such an accomplished life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_R._Cobb

thats not quite correct. the bus he was on was hit by an overhanging part of an army truck on the bedford highway. the truck basically sideswiped the oncoming bus, and the truck bed sliced through the bus.

Ziobrop · #**2476** Posted **Sep 24, 2018, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

This still looks pretty bad though. One arm of the federal government puts plaques on the building and writes reports on why it's historically significant while another wants to tear it down.

Many "consultations" are really just informational, or designed to let the locals let off steam before the original plan is executed.

federal heritage designations only apply as long as the feds own it. once they divest it to Canada Lands, its no longer owned by the feds, and looses the designation.

OldDartmouthMark · #**2477** Posted **Sep 24, 2018, 5:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziobrop

thats not quite correct. the bus he was on was hit by an overhanging part of an army truck on the bedford highway. the truck basically sideswiped the oncoming bus, and the truck bed sliced through the bus.

Thanks Zio - so much for wikipedia...

I have a biography about him on my 'to do' reading list. Hope to get to it soon.

OldDartmouthMark · #**2478** Posted **Sep 24, 2018, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziobrop

federal heritage designations only apply as long as the feds own it. once they divest it to Canada Lands, its no longer owned by the feds, and looses the designation.

Not much teeth in those designations, then. I presume they only exist to inform passers-by of the significance of the building until it is torn down.

Keith P. · #**2479** Posted **Sep 25, 2018, 12:32 PM**

I heard a rumor that Crombie Properties and HRM are having quiet discussions about a land swap that would see the city take the property upon which Crombie has the right to build their long-delayed tower at the end of Granville Mall, the so-called "Triangle" site. Anyone know more?

IanWatson · #**2480** Posted **Sep 25, 2018, 12:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I took a look at the Land Use Bylaw... Zoned DH-1 (Downtown Halifax 1), in Precinct 4 - Lower Central Downtown, with pre-bonus maximum height of 51m and post-bonus 66m. I didn't take the time to sort out from where and to what the heights are measured.

Average grade at the street to the highest point on the roof. There are some exemptions for architectural embellishments, mechanical, etc. as long as they only cover a certain percentage of the roof.