Quote:
Originally Posted by Monctoncore
I am also curious with the two new hotels being built around the Crowne Plaza, will the Alquinis redevelop their property?
|
A very good question. Sometimes developers with very deep pockets (like the Aquillini Group) will consolidate large blocks of land (like the Crowne Plaza block) and just sit on it while they wait for market conditions to be right for development.
They consolidated this block about the time that the Avenir Centre was announced (likely to hedge their bets). They are probably waiting right now to see what the long term effects of the Avenir Centre will be and how the adjacent neighbourhood will develop. They can probably afford to wait. The income from the Crowne Plaza is probably more than enough to cover the property taxes for that entire block.
While I imagine any plans the Aquillini's may have for this land will include additional hotel development, I'm not be too worried about the Hyatt Place and the Hilton Garden Inn causing them concern. If anything, developments like this will only make the neighbourhood even more attractive to future development.
In particular, I could see a new large hotel going up here with a convention centre to develop synergy with the Avenir Centre. I can see a large enclosed parking structure in behind, and street front commercial/retail fronting Main Street. I think this could work very well.
Development of this block will occur, but it is impossible to know if it will be next year, in five years time or even 10 years time.............