[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 234

jonny golden · #**4661** Posted **Apr 13, 2020, 1:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Excellent photos as always BlackYear.

I particularly like this one:

This perspective hints as to what downtown Moncton could be with increased density. There is a lot of visual layering in this photo.

It would be really nice if we knew what Ashford's plans for the old Paramount are. There is a lot of potential in this lot.........

Absolutely there is great potential here. I'm sure that they'll produce something nicer and more successful than all those failed bars. There was a story in the paper a while ago that said that Ashford envisioned a project that would front on Westmorland Street. It also said they were looking for a tenant for the front section that's on Main Street next to Mama's. There's been a series of failed bars there as well. I wouldn't mind seeing that torn down too and replaced with something new.

David_99 · #**4662** Posted **Apr 13, 2020, 2:47 PM**

It’s such a big footprint. It would be a shame if they didn’t use the space to build a multi-story building with underground parking to share with Assumption, since (hopefully) a chunk of that parking lot will be converted to a new street.

jonny golden · #**4663** Posted **Apr 13, 2020, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_99

It’s such a big footprint. It would be a shame if they didn’t use the space to build a multi-story building with underground parking to share with Assumption, since (hopefully) a chunk of that parking lot will be converted to a new street.

When Ashford made their big land purchase, there was an interview by CBC with CFO Jim Dixon. He said that addressing downtown parking would be a priority. So I would say that whatever they decide to do, parking will be addressed. I wouldn't be surprised if they go 3-4 stories here.

What would be great is if they could get the Mama's property on Main Street and combine it with the closed sports bar next to it which they own. That would allow them to do a Main Street project. As it stands, they're just looking for a tenant for the vacant sports bar.

Hali87 · #**4664** Posted **Apr 13, 2020, 3:36 PM**

Something fascinating about that photo is that many of the buildings are in styles have been disappearing from Halifax, or never really existed here at all:

The black building in the top right corner looks like things that have been built in Halifax recently (IIRC that's the one with Gahan House etc?)

The two office buildings in the top left wouldn't look out of place here although that style is something I'd associate more with Bedford and Dartmouth.

Buildings like the three in the mid-ground (brown & blue, boxes-around-windows, and flat beige w/ brick column) are becoming increasingly rare in Halifax - most of the remaining ones are university or hospital buildings and even many of those are watered down architecturally with sleek/airy glass renos (genearlly this makes them look worse, not better IMO). I think I remember seeing a mid-century bus station in Moncton - this had an analogue in Halifax until recently when it was demolished for the Richmond Yards development (it had been converted into commercial space in the meantime and hadn't been used by buses for years). We also had a direct analogue of the Bank of Canada building in Saint John which was demolished as part of the Maple development a few years ago. It's not hard to imagine most of the remaining Victoria General and Sexton Campus buildings in this style being redeveloped or reclad in glass over the next decade or two.

There's also nothing here like the white po-mo building in the top right corner, or the communications tower. The architecutre of prominent churches and institutional buildings is also markedly different.

I can't really think of anywhere else that this particular collection of buildings reminds me of. Maybe Ontario in an abstract way, but I can't think of a city in Ontario that actually looks like this, in practice.

MonctonRad · #**4665** Posted **Apr 15, 2020, 9:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Absolutely there is great potential here. I'm sure that they'll produce something nicer and more successful than all those failed bars. There was a story in the paper a while ago that said that Ashford envisioned a project that would front on Westmorland Street. It also said they were looking for a tenant for the front section that's on Main Street next to Mama's. There's been a series of failed bars there as well. I wouldn't mind seeing that torn down too and replaced with something new.

There are persistent rumours out there that one of the tenants for the Ashford project on Westmorland will be a "brew pub". If this is not a relocation, maybe it could be a new to market establishment (like Picaroons). This is just rumour and speculation BTW. I have no inside information.

jonny golden · #**4666** Posted **Apr 15, 2020, 10:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There are persistent rumours out there that one of the tenants for the Ashford project on Westmorland will be a "brew pub". If this is not a relocation, maybe it could be a new to market establishment (like Picaroons). This is just rumour and speculation BTW. I have no inside information.

When Jim Dixon was interviewed after Ashford Group made their purchase, he spoke about retail, restaurants, office space and residential units on top. He even mentioned the FiveFive project as an example of what he envisioned. This would be a great location for this type of mixed use project. What I wonder is are they going to do something this year? If they could get going on this project AND the Gordon/Highfield project this year, it would be a great contribution to the downtown.

BlackYear · #**4667** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 2:08 PM**

Interesting article on CBC NB today.

Did I read this corretly, "The 65 apartment building received approval by the city's planning advisory committee last week. It still requires a building permit."

65 new apartments coming to Moncton waiting for permits?

Moncton builders consider delaying projects as pandemic continues.
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Apr 16, 2020 6:00 AM AT

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-construction-development-pandemic-1.5533699

mylesmalley · #**4668** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 2:28 PM**

I'm sure what was meant was 65 unit building. And is it really that unusual to not get building permits before knowing if the concept is acceptable?

jonny golden · #**4669** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 2:29 PM**

I for one am really glad to see this Ashford project going ahead. The low vacancy rates and prime location should see the units in this building being snapped up quickly. Its a big improvement over the vacant lot that's there now, and will really enhance that neighbourhood.

Mattyyy · #**4670** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 6:22 PM**

New windows finally being installed in the building at the corner of Main and Botsford! Looks amazing!

jonny golden · #**4671** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

New windows finally being installed in the building at the corner of Main and Botsford! Looks amazing!

Do we know if they're planning residential units, or is it going to be office space? Either way, it's a great downtown location.

MonctonRad · #**4672** Posted **Apr 16, 2020, 8:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

New windows finally being installed in the building at the corner of Main and Botsford! Looks amazing!

The Higgins Block has been my biggest bugbear in the downtown core for the last 20 years. To see something being done with those boarded up windows finally after all this time makes me unusually ecstatic!!!!

josh_cat_eyes · #**4673** Posted **Apr 17, 2020, 12:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Do we know if they're planning residential units, or is it going to be office space? Either way, it's a great downtown location.

Honestly I don’t even even care of anything is located there, I’m just happy there is nice looking windows now.

KnoxfordGuy · #**4674** Posted **Apr 17, 2020, 1:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The Higgins Block has been my biggest bugbear in the downtown core for the last 20 years. To see something being done with those boarded up windows finally after all this time makes me unusually ecstatic!!!!

OH. MY. GOD!

jonny golden · #**4675** Posted **Apr 17, 2020, 1:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Honestly I don’t even even care of anything is located there, I’m just happy there is nice looking windows now.

I'm very glad this building was sold to new owners who are finally going to do something with it. It didn't look like the previous owner had any plans for it. One way or another, it's going to bring more people downtown. What would be really cool is if they could make some kind of a rooftop terrace as part of the redevelopment project.

KnoxfordGuy · #**4676** Posted **Apr 17, 2020, 1:58 PM**

This webcam gives a great view of the new windows being installed on the building!

https://www.moncton.ca/webcams/main-street-west-webcam

MonctonDowntown · #**4677** Posted **Apr 17, 2020, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The Higgins Block has been my biggest bugbear in the downtown core for the last 20 years. To see something being done with those boarded up windows finally after all this time makes me unusually ecstatic!!!!

This made me ecstatic as well!!!

I drove downtown to see it first hand last night. Looks like high-quality glazing with a style fitting for this heritage property.

jonny golden · #**4678** Posted **Apr 18, 2020, 4:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonDowntown

This made me ecstatic as well!!!

I drove downtown to see it first hand last night. Looks like high-quality glazing with a style fitting for this heritage property.

I'd like to see them do a refresh of the ground floor facade as well.

jonny golden · #**4679** Posted **Apr 19, 2020, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackYear

This project on St George & Weldon gets on my nerves simply because of the windows. If I was a renter, I would want larger windows. If I could ask the owner a question, why would you go cheap with small windows? Drive me nuts. Small windows looks like a low rental and cheap rent.

Other than that, I like everything else.

Sunday:
I drove by this site twice today, and both times I saw that they were working on the exterior of the building.

MonctonRad · #**4680** Posted **Apr 23, 2020, 3:22 PM**

Work continues to progress at the new Hilton Garden Inn on Highfield Street.

Retail Talk & Share photo