[St. John's] The Official Project Thread

[Marty_Mcfly]

It's quite the improvement. Now, how about the rest of the building?

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

It's quite the improvement. Now, how about the rest of the building?

I thought I read somewhere that will start in the spring. Not 100% on that, but I hope it does.

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by Sausage Bob

Is anyone else hoping verafin kicks off a tech industry boom here in St. John's? All I know is I wanna see more development, I almost get depressed reading through old forums like tiffany and deacon. Has anybody contacted the developers on these projects recently btw? I've heard Verafin might be putting in one or two more buildings up behind the Crosbie Group building on Hebron Way. Can anybody speak to this? I'm bored someone give me some good news here lol

Don't recall ever hearing that Tiffany Towers was dead. It has however been delayed for some time now. I thought this is still supposed to happen.

Deacon is long dead as I understand. Don't think you'll see many more office buildings constructed downtown for quite a while given the current vacancy rate. And with the completion of new hotels and apartment buildings downtown, I wouldn't expect to see much more large-scale development on that end either.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

It's quite the improvement. Now, how about the rest of the building?

Agreed, big improvement for sure. However, something needs to be done with the east and west sides of the building. The white painted concrete is just not cutting it.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by J_Murphy

Don't recall ever hearing that Tiffany Towers was dead. It has however been delayed for some time now. I thought this is still supposed to happen.

Deacon is long dead as I understand. Don't think you'll see many more office buildings constructed downtown for quite a while given the current vacancy rate. And with the completion of new hotels and apartment buildings downtown, I wouldn't expect to see much more large-scale development on that end either.

Tiffany stills gets included in the major capital projects report release by gov each year. I don't think it's dead - just going at a glacial pace.

From what I've heard Deacon is long dead. Very unfortunate, as I really liked the look and design of this building. Just the way it goes, many proposed projects never see the light of day. Those who've been around this forum for a while know all too well.

I agree that we may not see much large-scale development in the downtown for a while. To be completely honest, DT saw it's fair share of development over the past 8-10 years. Never enough to feed our appetites but a good run.

There are many areas around metro that have the potential for large scale development. The city released a report not too long ago which highlighted some areas, I think it was linked in one of the sub-forums here. Areas around Bowring Park, Churchill Square and Torbay Rd were noted among others.

[Engibeer]

Originally Posted by statbass

Agreed, big improvement for sure. However, something needs to be done with the east and west sides of the building. The white painted concrete is just not cutting it.

From earlier in the thread, it appears they are going with the design shown in 2010 renderings (without the new twin building). Also, CBSNewbie had contacted the developer and it looks like the rest will be completed in 2020.

Originally Posted by CBSNewbie

I sent a Facebook message to the Royal group and this was the response I got. The other sides will be getting new glass as well as a metal wrap around the concrete panels presently there. That is slated for next spring.

Reference here:http://thescope.ca/city/fortis-release-15-storey-proposal-for-downtown

[Engibeer]

Originally Posted by Horsell

I like the plans for the old school, hopefully they will do something similar with Booth. The only question I have however is do we have the right market for so many seniors homes, it seems to be saturated at this point and there are still a few more on the books (At least two for Pleasantville still on the drawing board)

I was disappointed that the old I J Samson school was reused but instead razed for blah townhouses that aren't selling very well. A very different view by two very different developers.

Looks like Booth is being torn down. Demo starting today.

https://vocm.com/2019/10/03/booth-memorial/

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by Horsell

I was disappointed that the old I J Samson school was not reused but instead razed for blah townhouses that aren't selling very well. A very different view by two very different developers.

Personally, I don't mind the plan for the former IJ site. It's in a pretty low traffic/low visability area, and it provides some density to a small piece of land. Also, townhomes provide some affordable housing in what is currently a relatively low-income part of the City.

[LordNezazor]

Spotted an interesting proposal for a building in the Oct 16 Committee of the Whole agenda. Here's some info about it from the agenda:

"application to rezone 96, 100 Water Street and 205 and 209 Duckworth Street from the Commercial Central Mixed Use (CCM) Zone to the new Commercial Downtown Mixed 2 (CDM2) Zone"

"The applicant is proposing a 6-storey building with a height of 27 metres and a Floor Area Ration (FAR) of 5.64. The development would include the exterior façade of the former Breakwater Books store if feasible. It is proposed that this portion of the designated building will be used as a War Memorial Museum. The remainder of the building would have three levels of parking, retail on the first level of Duckworth Street, with two levels of office and the top three levels for residential units. Given the slope of the property, the development would be 6-stories on Duckworth Street and 8-stories on Water Street."

[rthomasd]

That site has been awaiting a development for a long time.

Proposal is for War Memorial Museum, office space and 18 Condos

[IronMan]

Overall a good development. That area is an eyesore now. Good to see the heritage component, but gee whiz that is one confused looking building!

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by IronMan

Overall a good development. That area is an eyesore now. Good to see the heritage component, but gee whiz that is one confused looking building!

I kinda like it. Blending the old and the new like that seems to be a 'thing', in a number of cities I've seen with older buildings.

[IronMan]

Originally Posted by jjavman

I kinda like it. Blending the old and the new like that seems to be a 'thing', in a number of cities I've seen with older buildings.

Well, there's something here for everyone, that's for sure! It would be great to clean up this lot, especially given that it is so high profile next to the war memorial. I hope it goes ahead.

[Da Jama Lama]

Originally Posted by rthomasd

That site has been awaiting a development for a long time.

Proposal is for War Memorial Museum, office space and 18 Condos

Time for the city to implement a design review panel and the 'built heritage' experts is not that.

We deserve better. The Architect has a responsibility to the public...

[PoscStudent]

I love that proposal. I think it’s the type of proposals we need in the heritage area of downtown. Keep the heritage structure but repurpose them by adding a modern expansion.

[wmemeadusjr]

This is a pretty good proposal, but I'm sure it won't fly. Between the city, the heritage committee and a vocal minority of residents, the status quo ....aka the crater that's there now .....will be preferred.

[SignalHillHiker]

The old building here beside the National War Memorial between Water and Duckworth streets burned down - a true tragedy.



And for the past few years, it's looked like this:



And now we have a proposal...



The only thing that would've been better was the old Parliament proposed for exactly the same site (but never built). White stone, modest size but ornate... it was truly spectacular.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by rthomasd

That site has been awaiting a development for a long time.

Proposal is for War Memorial Museum, office space and 18 Condos

See this is where an architect can camouflage the "new part" and blend the "new part" better with the heritage part by making it have a brick exterior with an appropriate corresponding window design. Not every blend of old and new needs to be a glass box smacked ontop of the heritage building.

[BPKE]

I have a feeling that upper glass portion isn't going to be very popular with area residents...

[Larla77]

Already seeing complaints online about this plan from heritage advocates. Don't think its going to go anywhere honestly. Personally I don't hate it and its better than what's there now. One thing we don't need is another museum.