[St. John's] The Official Project Thread

[Marty_Mcfly]

Residents Raise Hopes, Concerns About Proposed Churchill Square Development

A proposal to redevelop the old Dominion property in Churchill Square to a six storey mixed-use building is raising some concerns from area residents.

Some of the issues at hand include the height of the building, parking, the effects it could have on business, and increased traffic.

A public meeting was held on the matter last week, and Councilor Ian Froude says that the city is having conversations about what was heard, and that information should be before council in a few weeks.

Froude says that while there were concerns raised, he also got a sense of excitement from residents that something was finally being done with the property, which has been vacant for some time.

He says the development is encouraging for the area.

He says the neighbourhood would benefit greatly from the additional housing units that we could with the development, and that he looks forward to speaking with residents and other councilors further.

http://vocm.com/news/residents-raise-hopes-concerns-about-churchill-square-development/

Height shouldn't be an issue, and an increase in traffic would have a net benefit on businesses considering this is a commercial square.

I suspect that there may have been more positive feedback than negative for this project. It's located in a non-heritage area where we should be encouraging higher density developments.

[Crisisnf]

Anything but boring.

[IronMan]

I love this development and I hope it proceeds as is. It is just what Churchill Square needs. It would be fantastic to see the old eyesore building removed and to get more people living in the area. Nice to see a small bit of height there as well. A win-win situation!

[wmemeadusjr]

JAG

I really have to say this looks great. I never liked the design and colour of the current Jag, but this actually compliments it and it all seems to look decent together. The city would be crazy not to approve this. You have a ton of private money to be spent developing a dismal end of downtown.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by wmemeadusjr

JAG

I really have to say this looks great. I never liked the design and colour of the current Jag, but this actually compliments it and it all seems to look decent together. The city would be crazy not to approve this. You have a ton of private money to be spent developing a dismal end of downtown.

... and if developments like this continue it will no longer be a dismal part of downtown but rather a new, emerging, and vibrant area of downtown. This development has the potential to be precedent setting and could spur more activity in the area.

[wmemeadusjr]

Originally Posted by statbass

... and if developments like this continue it will no longer be a dismal part of downtown but rather a new, emerging, and vibrant area of downtown. This development has the potential to be precedent setting and could spur more activity in the area.

Exactly! There is tons of potential for this area. This development could be the catalyst.

[Horsell]

The next block I would like to see developed is where the Magic Wok is, between JAG and SJCC. A nice 15 story mixed office/residential would be nice....one can only hope.

[wmemeadusjr]

Originally Posted by Horsell

The next block I would like to see developed is where the Magic Wok is, between JAG and SJCC. A nice 15 story mixed office/residential would be nice....one can only hope.

Don't forget, we live amongst people who call something 8 stories a tower. It would be nice to see Water Street up to Job Street and the bottom portion of Hamilton Avenue developed. I'm hoping the Star of the Sea and the Mix leads to more interest in high-rise residential living downtown. With the economic downturn and the abundance of empty office space downtown, our only hope of new high-rise development will be residential and hotel. It was nearly 25 years between major office building construction. It's looking like it will be another 25.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by statbass

... and if developments like this continue it will no longer be a dismal part of downtown but rather a new, emerging, and vibrant area of downtown. This development has the potential to be precedent setting and could spur more activity in the area.

Having that concert hall pulling people in to that area will definitely be a plus. If a show can sit 1000 people that's about 999 more people in that area after 5pm that would normally be there. That alone could help spur other commercial developments in the area.

[Tommyswally]

Did I read on this site a while ago that the Quality Inn is to be rebranded?

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by Tommyswally

Did I read on this site a while ago that the Quality Inn is to be rebranded?

Yes. I can't remember the new brand, though something in my brain is screaming Hilton?

[Arrakis]

I think it was Doubletree by Hilton

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

Yes. I can't remember the new brand, though something in my brain is screaming Hilton?

[wmemeadusjr]

The Kenmount Crossing development will soon get it's first tenant. It will be a 110,000 sq ft cannabis production facility.

[Larla77]

Noticed some work happening around the Verafin building on Hebron Way. They have part of the parking lot closest to Torbay Rd fenced off and looks like they have started digging. Anyone hear anything? Parking structure?

[PoscStudent]

I parked on harbour drive the weekend to go for a walk and started thinking how nice it’d be if Harbour Drive ended at Clift’s-Baird’s Cove and that whole area to the east was turned into more of a pedestrian friendly area. It’s a pretty ugly area, cruise ships sailing in are looking at dilapidated buildings and a parking lot. Could have been a nice place for the farmers market.

[Engibeer]

I touched base with Martek on an inquiry for Star of the Sea pricing.. they have switched the entire building from condo units to apartment units and are estimating that opening will occur in September 2019.

Pricing for their largest and best view unit (6th floor, overlooking the harbour above APPG) is $4,175/month incl. 2 parking stalls, 1750 sq ft, balcony, 3 B/3 B. A west facing 6th floor unit is $2,875/month incl. 1 parking stall, 1193 sq ft, balcony, 2 B/2 B.

I would imagine the units on the lower floors, without a view, are quite a bit less expensive; although, it's still quite high for St. John's in my opinion.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by Engibeer

I touched base with Martek on an inquiry for Star of the Sea pricing.. they have switched the entire building from condo units to apartment units and are estimating that opening will occur in September 2019.

Pricing for their largest and best view unit (6th floor, overlooking the harbour above APPG) is $4,175/month incl. 2 parking stalls, 1750 sq ft, balcony, 3 B/3 B. A west facing 6th floor unit is $2,875/month incl. 1 parking stall, 1193 sq ft, balcony, 2 B/2 B.

I would imagine the units on the lower floors, without a view, are quite a bit less expensive; although, it's still quite high for St. John's in my opinion.

Do you know if that includes utilities? That's still seems pretty steep to me. I'm not sure we have a market here to sustain those prices. That's a lot of money to dish out for a rental. A few years ago with oil execs coming back and forth I'd say it was feasible. Given the current environment, I'm not so sure. I hope they can prove me wrong.

[Engibeer]

Originally Posted by statbass

Do you know if that includes utilities? That's still seems pretty steep to me. I'm not sure we have a market here to sustain those prices. That's a lot of money to dish out for a rental. A few years ago with oil execs coming back and forth I'd say it was feasible. Given the current environment, I'm not so sure. I hope they can prove me wrong.

Utilities were not specified. I won't speculate but I will say that generally in these larger rental buildings, water, central heating and A/C is included, lights/electricity is not. That's just speaking from my experience with similar rentals in Calgary.

The penthouse suites at Mix Apartments are priced similarly (~4k/mo). I can't see these being successfully rented in either building unless an oil company leases them for temporary employee housing. With that said, I'm sure the smaller 1 and 2 bdrm units on lower floors will get occupied purely based on the location and quality of the building.

[SignalHillHiker]

Star of the Sea.





Hilton Garden Inn.

[Townie709]

Thanks for the update Signal! I've been out of town for a few months now, so I haven't been able to appreciate the progress.

Star of the Sea is looking fantastic — definitely one of my favourite additions to our downtown in quite some time. It goes to show that a modern development of scale can, in fact, embrace the colourful elements of our heritage without:

• sticking out like a sore thumb;
• looking like a cheap imitation.

Unfortunately, I don't think I can say the same for the Hilton. Those red panels really cheapen the look of the building. In this area of downtown, I think the modern design with more glass and less colour would have been a better fit. That being said, I haven't seen it in person so I will reserve final judgement. With any luck, it'll soon be obscured from the important angles by the new Jag extension and concert hall!