[Saint John] Uptown Thread - Page 27

JHikka · #**521** Posted **Mar 31, 2021, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

I honestly don't understand why "North of Union" hasn't grown much recently. It is far closer to the business core of the Uptown, to the City Market, to shopping, etc. I understand it has a tainted reputation in the eyes of many, but I've lived there, I've worked there, it's perfectly fine and has a lot of really intriguing character and streets.

Definitely. Genuinely curious if we see more infill in the SE Peninsula first before this area. Union street seems far too enticing to pass up and seems like the next likely area to redevelop once the western portion of the Peninsula is settled.

ColSJ · #**522** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 4:56 PM**

More siding is going up on The Atlantic.

Source: http://urbanplans.blogspot.com/

JHikka · #**523** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 4:59 PM**

This will be controversial but I don't hate the metal siding any more than I do vinyl siding. At least the metal siding gives off some weird shipping container vibes. Consider the contrast between The Atlantic and the other building in urbanplans' photo.

adamuptownsj · #**524** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

This will be controversial but I don't hate the metal siding any more than I do vinyl siding. At least the metal siding gives off some weird shipping container vibes. Consider the contrast between The Atlantic and the other building in urbanplans' photo.

The other buildings are three unit apartments that have been well maintained, probably for decades, in a corner of the South End that was derelict until recently. This is a highly visible landmark structure. Holding developers with multimillion-dollar new projects to a higher standard than long time homeowners is appropriate.

JHikka · #**525** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

This is a highly visible landmark structure.

It's an apartment building. Let me know when they reclad the Admiral Beatty in metal sheeting.

adamuptownsj · #**526** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's an apartment building. Let me know when they reclad the Admiral Beatty in metal sheeting.

It's highly visible to entering cruise ships at a low flat point, at the far end of some of the nicest streets in the city. It looks like something cheap you'd find in suburban Moncton.

It's not what was approved by PAC and it looks like a warehouse. I wasn't a fan of the original design but it looked modern at least.

JHikka · #**527** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's highly visible to entering cruise ships at a low flat point, at the far end of some of the nicest streets in the city.

I don't think too many cruise ship passengers are venturing down to Broad street. If they can pick out metal from vinyl when entering the harbour then they must have incredible eyesight.

You know what looks worse to tourists? Empty, vacant, and derelict properties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It looks like something cheap you'd find in suburban Moncton.

I don't know where you expect to get with a comment like this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's not what was approved by PAC and it looks like a warehouse. I wasn't a fan of the original design but it looked modern at least.

Sure, I can agree that the finished materials aren't amazing and probably subvert some sort of rules at PAC, but at the end of the day the Uptown 1) Sorely needs more people living in it, 2) Sorely needs more available housing, and 3) IMO it's no better or worse than your typical vinyl siding. Might sound fun in a rainstorm, though. Considering what's also going up re: Wellington, Wentworth, Telegraph Sq. etc. i'll take it. Three out of four isn't bad.

cdnguys · #**528** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:24 PM**

City be damned - looks like developer will do whatever he wants. Interestingly it’s marketed as a high end building, not a shipping can. The Landmark offers better views, quality and amenities for same price.

MonctonRad · #**529** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's highly visible to entering cruise ships at a low flat point, at the far end of some of the nicest streets in the city. It looks like something cheap you'd find in suburban Moncton.

Now, now, no need to get nasty here.

Note I have refrained (up until now) from commenting in this thread on what I think of this metal clad monstrosity.

cdnguys · #**530** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

I don't think too many cruise ship passengers are venturing down to Broad street. If they can pick out metal from vinyl when entering the harbour then they must have incredible eyesight.

You know what looks worse to tourists? Empty, vacant, and derelict properties.

I don't know where you expect to get with a comment like this.

Sure, I can agree that the finished materials aren't amazing and probably subvert some sort of rules at PAC, but at the end of the day the Uptown 1) Sorely needs more people living in it, 2) Sorely needs more available housing, and 3) IMO it's no better or worse than your typical vinyl siding. Might sound fun in a rainstorm, though. Considering what's also going up re: Wellington, Wentworth, Telegraph Sq. etc. i'll take it. Three out of four isn't bad.

As a resident of neighborhood I’m pissed - it’s a bigger Agar place eyesore in an area that is gentrifying. None of reasons mentioned above mitigate the situation and just minimize a serious issue. Vinyl siding is not even relevant because this is a high rise. We shouldn’t settle for mediocre - that’s 1970’s 80’s backward thinking I was hoping we turned the corner from. Saint Johners shouldn’t have to look at this for next few generations so the developer can save on cost. They would never get away with this in Halifax

cdnguys · #**531** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 6:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Now, now, no need to get nasty here.

Note I have refrained (up until now) from commenting in this thread on what I think of this metal clad monstrosity.

I trust they were referring to the industrial parks that are visible from the highway. Would Moncton allow a bait and switch - curious of opinion from Moncton user.

NB_ExistsToo · #**532** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 7:01 PM**

It's certainly not the best looking finishing around, but I think the cruise ship passengers will consider it a sight for sore eyes after cruising passed Point Lepreau Generating station, Coleson Cove Power Station, then finally approaching the city and seeing the refinery on the right, and the paper mill on the left, followed up by the junk yard known as AIM and the wasteland next to Tin Can beach.

I jest, I love the city, but the views coming into SJ port certainly leaves something to desire. The developer is a local and is likely just making it harder on himself for the next project he tries to get approved.

adamuptownsj · #**533** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 7:38 PM**

I wasn't shitting on Moncton or on needed housing construction, fwiw. I would have no problem with this on Ellerdale or in Millidgeville or whatever. It's a very visible location and CDNGUYS is right, it's another Agar Place. With the way land prices are going, developers can't say 'my way or the highway' like they could two years ago.

Franco401 · #**534** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 7:59 PM**

I often see Agar Place referenced as an example of a bait and switch, but I fail to see the comparison. I know that's where the hospital was, but was something else promised there? The current structure couldn't possibly have been advertised as anything other than "we're putting something there so the land doesn't go to waste".

cdnguys · #**535** Posted **Apr 1, 2021, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

I often see Agar Place referenced as an example of a bait and switch, but I fail to see the comparison. I know that's where the hospital was, but was something else promised there? The current structure couldn't possibly have been advertised as anything other than "we're putting something there so the land doesn't go to waste".

Agar Place is not a bait and switch. It’s compared because it has the same metal siding and is the #1 most hated building in city. It was actually even worse then they added stone on bottom.