[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

I so wish that Aquilini Development would make their move in Moncton. They are very capable of creating something significant on their prime piece of downtown property. The location is second to none. That current frontage on Main Street is so old and bland, it's terrible really. If they can build something as fantastic as the Aquilini Center, they can build something special for Moncton. Alas I just don't think we're very high on their priority list.

[josh_cat_eyes]

My hope is that Mr. Aquilini sees what’s going on in Moncton and decides to make his move sooner rather then later. Moncton is a builders market right now, everything is sold out often before shovels hit the ground. This is good news for any developer!

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

My hope is that Mr. Aquilini sees what’s going on in Moncton and decides to make his move sooner rather then later. Moncton is a builders market right now, everything is sold out often before shovels hit the ground. This is good news for any developer!

I have no idea if he is aware of the market here in Moncton, but we can hope he is and sees the opportunity. The "Brunswick Hotel Block" is shameful in it's current condition.

I wonder if the city has ever reached out to him?

[BlackYear]

This would be a game changer.
Found this tower in Vancouver. Fits nicely on the recently sold piece a land.

[MonctonRad]

One can hope...………

[theshark]

I remember back then when everyone was stoked about that 3 story office building at the corner. Its being dwarfed by every new development, which is good!

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

This would be a game changer.
Found this tower in Vancouver. Fits nicely on the recently sold piece a land.

Looks to be taller than the Assomption building! I'd be elated if a building like that were constructed on that corner, but I can't see something that tall happening. Was it ever disclosed who purchased the property?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Was it ever disclosed who purchased the property?

Nope.

[MonctonRad]

From Huddle:

Moncton Has The People And Lifestyle To Help Grow Montreal’s Thinkmax
https://huddle.today/moncton-has-the-peo..._zEPNXSy6h40PthKegstkX3mbOmty6mUPpQAh_ns

Thinkmax is a management and IT consulting company serving upper middle-market clients across North America. It transforms businesses through the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365, Optimizely, and more.

Its team delivers digital transformation solutions (ERP, CRM, e-commerce, marketing automation) to clients like Joseph Ribkoff, Woodbine Entertainment, the Royal Canadian Mint, and Alcool NB Liquor.

Belliveau wants their new downtown Moncton office (located on the 2nd floor of 695 Main St.) to have the feel of a tech company. Note this is the Higgins Block, and probably explains the new entrance to the building off Bostford).

He says that while working in the office every day won’t be necessary, he’s looking for people that still want to know their co-workers well and socialize after work.

“We have built a strong nucleus of people that enjoy working together,” he says. “We have a big focus on culture as a result – how well we all get along and work together is crucial to our formula.”

Since it was founded in 2009, Thinkmax has grown to a team of roughly 150 across its offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Austin, Texas. Ten people have already been recruited in Greater Moncton.

They are still looking to grow. Belliveau plans and expects that the (Moncton based) team will grow to 50 in the next few years, and he wants local talent to know that Thinkmax is a project-centric business offering a chance to work with interesting clients from multiple sectors.

[BlackYear]

Update on the downtown 4.

- 120 Weldon. Still early, however this is supposed to be 6 stories. There is underground parking on this one, but that would mean 6 stories of wood framing?

- 66 Weldon seems to be on track.

- Gordon & Cameron coming along nicely.

- Highfield & Gordon seems to have stalled. I'm liking the patio doors with top window trim.

[BlackYear]

Gordon & Cameron in the foreground, 66 Weldon in the background.

[BlackYear]

It will be interesting to see what's planned with this building. All I see is lots of money being spent.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

- 120 Weldon. Still early, however this is supposed to be 6 stories. There is underground parking on this one, but that would mean 6 stories of wood framing?

It would appear so, yes.

This building does have redeeming features though, like the underground parking and the two level townhouse podium.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

It will be interesting to see what's planned with this building. All I see is lots of money being spent.

This is the old Orange Order hall. David99 provided this information about this project about 10 pages back:

- The top floor will feature 4 luxury apartments, 3 of them lofts and 1 an accessible apartment.
- The middle floor is being prepared for an operational centre of an as-of-yet unknown company.
- the main floor will house a cafe.
- The main floor and basement will also house a multi-purpose experience centre where people can taste wine, make cocktails or learn to cook.

This sounds like it will be a very interesting and very urban repurposing of this architecturally worthwhile building. This is yet another sterling example of the renaissance of St George Street, and will complement Dolma Foods next door very well.

[tmacdougall]

If I was to guess, Bioscript Solutions will be moving into this space. Rapidly growing, locally owned pharmaceutical company.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This is the old Orange Order hall. David99 provided this information about this project about 10 pages back:



This sounds like it will be a very interesting and very urban repurposing of this architecturally worthwhile building. This is yet another sterling example of the renaissance of St George Street, and will complement Dolma Foods next door very well.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

If I was to guess, Bioscript Solutions will be moving into this space. Rapidly growing, locally owned pharmaceutical company.

If this is the case then this is great news. I love to see high tech offices moving into repurposed older buildings (just like ThinkMax moving into the Higgins Block too).

[tmacdougall]

Is the ThinkMax move confirmed?

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

If this is the case then this is great news. I love to see high tech offices moving into repurposed older buildings (just like ThinkMax moving into the Higgins Block too).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

Is the ThinkMax move confirmed?

In Huddle. Hope to have 50 employees working there.

[MonctonRad]

This is apparently what Ashford has in mind for the old provincial jail on Assumption Blvd:



This is nothing more than a gut and reno. I personally think this is a great disappointment and an incredible lost opportunity.

When Phase 2 of Downing Street is complete, the old jail property will lie right on the NW corner of Assumption and Downing. This property therefore will be on one of the most high profile corners in Moncton's downtown core!!!. If there is one corner in the city that is absolutely begging for height and density, this is it!!!! Instead, we will be bequeathed with a building in the very heart of downtown with the same majesty and bearing as the Roger's call centre building.

Remember this conceptual render?



This render envisaged a 15 storey residential tower and a substantial commercial/residential podium on the NW corner of Downing and Assumption.

Instead, it appears we will be getting a gutted and renovated two storey jail in this location.

I am not amused.

Wouldn't you rather be getting something like this???

[Monctoncore]

The city better put an end to this immediately, ashford promised the city more and to be getting office space that should be in an industrial park, is extremely disappointing. The giant numbers in the building, the boxy structure, with similar style to the Rogers building, it’s just wrong. That is a very prominent location downtown and that honestly should not be allowed.

I do realize that Ashford owns the property so they can do with it as the please, but this is disappointing. Looking at all the properties they own, it worries me that Ashford may be more talk than action.