[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 283

mylesmalley · #**5641** Posted **Jul 14, 2021, 5:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This is the latest in a growing number of clusters of apartment buildings being built or proposed around the metro area (west end of Mountain Road, Twin Oaks, The Junction Urban Village, Dieppe Blvd, Mapleton Park Place, even 20 Record Street). Is there enough growth in the city to justify all this proposed increase in rental capacity????

The market is hot. According to CHMC, overall the CMA had a 2.6% vacancy rate in October. If surge in apartment construction is outpacing the growth in demand, we'll either see a decrease in rent due to competition, or some of these projects will be shelved or cancelled.

This happened a few years ago, albeit to a smaller scale. Big spike in construction followed by a few years of lower numbers until demand caught up.

Nashe · #**5642** Posted **Jul 14, 2021, 5:18 PM**

Moncton is gonna be hard to recognize in a few years.

MonctonRad · #**5643** Posted **Jul 14, 2021, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Agreed. I hope the PAC asks for an amendment. I think it would be a desirable place to live though. Right next to centennial park and the CN sportsplex.

I hope that PAC doesn't just rubber stamp this proposal.

I am most certainly not against high density development for the Franklin Yards, I just think it could be more thoughtful, and perhaps of higher quality.

I agree that the amount of surface parking proposed seems excessive. Some of these spots of course are for customers and employees of the proposed commercial component of the development, but still, even allowing for this, there are probably at least 1.2-1.3 parking spaces per residential unit in the development. They could probably lose a couple of hundred parking spaces to allow for some landscaping between the buildings.

The comments on here about surface parking facing (or at least visible from) Millennium are valid. This could easily be addressed by rotating two of the proposed nine apartment buildings so that they are aligned parallel to Millennium rather than perpendicular. By doing so, the surface parking could be hidden in behind.

I am also disturbed by the uninspired architectural uniformity of these generic Spitfire apartment buildings. I understand the need to make this development cost effective, and the requirements of 4+2 construction technique, but still, there has to be some way to spice up the facades of these buildings.

I already mentioned improving the landscaping. This should include an internal walking and biking path along the rear of the development, and interconnected to the trail network in Centennial Park. As I already mentioned, they should seriously consider direct trail access through Centennial Park to Centennial Place so that school children living in this development will be able to easily walk or bike to BMHS and the new k-8 school that will be built immediately adjacent to BMHS. I think this is a critical need. The city should think about demanding some money from the developer to fund such a connecting trail as a condition for approval.

If PAC can put some reasonable restrictions on the approval process, this could significantly enhance this development, and even make it more marketable to potential tenants. The current proposal could certainly be improved..........

MonctonRad · #**5644** Posted **Jul 15, 2021, 11:55 AM**

For a while, Oulton College was planning on relocating a portion of it's campus (health science programs, not including dental) to the Franklin Yards. I wonder whatever happened to that???

MonctonRad · #**5645** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 3:01 AM**

Some updated renderings for 51 Highfield Street by Ashford Living. Images found on the Spitfire Designs Facebook page:

Not a bad looking building for a Spitfire Design. They are capable of doing interesting work (like Breaux-Bridge Estates in Shediac).

Quote:

Project update - 51 Highfield St, Moncton.

This contemporary 6-storey, 57-unit, concrete cast-in-place building offers quiet sound-proof living, spacious modern suites, large decks, dedicated move-in access, 2 levels of covered parking (for a total of 93 spaces) plus additional exterior parking.

It also has two 2-storey loft apartments, which are bound to go quick, so don't miss out!

Urban living at its best

Check out https://ashfordliving.ca/contact/ to pre-lease or call (506) 204-0093 for more info

This will be a quality building, and is only a block from the Avenir Centre. They should do very well. Just think how Highfield Street has changed in just the last few years since the Avenir Centre opened - absolutely staggering!!!

MonctonRad · #**5646** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 3:15 AM**

Pizza Girls/Katch Seafood has now reopened in the former Applewood Smoked BBQ location next to Robinson Court. Smokes Poutinerie will be opening in their former location next door.

Main Street is coming back to life!

NBNYer · #**5647** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 11:15 AM**

51 Highfield is much improved but still feels kind of mediocre. At least it will be concrete construction and not wood framed like it’s sister building one block North. I’m hopeful this marks the start of developers moving away from that 5+1 construction trend downtown.

Also, wasn’t the previous iteration of this building L-shaped?

MonctonRad · #**5648** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 11:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBNYer

wasn’t the previous iteration of this building L-shaped?

Nope. The only real difference is the cladding and a few design elements. I like the new style better.

josh_cat_eyes · #**5649** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 2:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Nope. The only real difference is the cladding and a few design elements. I like the new style better.

I’m glad that Ashford went back to Spitfire and said we need more colour and it has to look less like ALL of your other buildings. I like the styling much better!

Monctoncore · #**5650** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 5:12 PM**

I agree, it’s nice to see them go back and change up the design a bit. Honestly that’s stretch of Highfield is changing so fast and for the better.

jonny golden · #**5651** Posted **Jul 17, 2021, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBNYer

51 Highfield is much improved but still feels kind of mediocre. At least it will be concrete construction and not wood framed like it’s sister building one block North. I’m hopeful this marks the start of developers moving away from that 5+1 construction trend downtown.

Also, wasn’t the previous iteration of this building L-shaped?

The apartment building itself wasn't L shaped, but the way the overall development is configured there is a parkade perpendicular to the building.

BlackYear · #**5652** Posted **Jul 18, 2021, 6:03 AM**

Quote:

Project update - 51 Highfield St, Moncton.

This contemporary 6-storey, 57-unit, concrete cast-in-place building offers quiet sound-proof living, spacious modern suites, large decks, dedicated move-in access, 2 levels of covered parking (for a total of 93 spaces) plus additional exterior parking.

It also has two 2-storey loft apartments, which are bound to go quick, so don't miss out!

Urban living at its best

Check out https://ashfordliving.ca/contact/ to pre-lease or call (506) 204-0093 for more info

What does "concrete cast-in-place" means? All 6 floors are concrete? And the 2 level parking, I see from one of the renders that it appears to be 2 level interior parking, but possibly none are underground and only on the right hand side of the building on 29 Campbell, it appears parking on level 2 above ground. And I don't see 2 story loft apartments. This is all weird.

BlackYear · #**5653** Posted **Jul 18, 2021, 6:11 AM**

Cranes within downtown Moncton:

MonctonRad · #**5654** Posted **Jul 18, 2021, 12:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackYear

What does "concrete cast-in-place" means? All 6 floors are concrete? And the 2 level parking, I see from one of the renders that it appears to be 2 level interior parking, but possibly none are underground and only on the right hand side of the building on 29 Campbell, it appears parking on level 2 above ground. And I don't see 2 story loft apartments. This is all weird.

There has been a lot of complaining by certain posters on another well known local social media platform dealing with development issues regarding "inflammable wooden particle board death-traps." I presume that Ashford and Spitfire made this particular comment to make it crystal clear that quality construction techniques were being employed in this project.

"Concrete cast-in-place" to me simply means standard reinforced concrete construction, poured on site. This is similar to Tannery Place. It's nothing revolutionary but, this is a more complicated type of construction, and given the fact this is a six storey building, I'm almost positive that 55 Highfield will also demand a full tower crane for construction.

I believe there is only single level enclosed ground floor parking in the building proper (no underground parking), which is why there is the adjacent two level parkade. I image they are saving a lot of money by not having to excavate for the underground parking.

Only two of the 57 units in the building are "two storey lofts." They could be hidden almost anywhere.

Nice crane shots BTW.

It should be noted that there are an additional three proper tower cranes in the northwest end, and one in Dieppe, as well as a plethora of mini cranes.

I feel kinda sorry for the 20 Record Street crane operator. He has to climb 18 storeys to work every day............

MonctonRad · #**5655** Posted **Jul 20, 2021, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

BTW, Speaking about not much on West Main, what happened to the Harley dealership renovation of the old Breakaway Auto building?

Drove by this evening. There are now quite a few traffic pylons on the lot, arranged in a geometric form. I wonder if this is an indication they are soon getting going with this project.

Aging Hipster · #**5656** Posted **Jul 20, 2021, 2:22 PM**

I noticed there's an Avant Garde Construction Management sign up in the window of 883 Main St, next to JoJo's Restaurant. Peering in the window it looks like there's some kind of up-fit in progress. Anybody heard anything? Looks like a nice space with those second-story skylights above.

MonctonRad · #**5657** Posted **Jul 21, 2021, 12:25 PM**

I listened to Erik Gingles (ex mayoral candidate for Moncton) on CBC Radio this morning, acting as a spokesperson for the Friends of Centennial Park, opposing this plan for the Franklin Yards, which bounds the northern edge of the park.

It's not difficult to see why this group is in opposition to this particular plan. There is indeed a lot to dislike about this plan (mostly related to aesthetics), but Erik had some unusual suggestions (nothing more than three floors, near complete abolishment of on site parking, building a Codiac Transpo hub, inclusion of "bodegas" etc.). Bodegas BTW are ethnic Puerto Rican convenience stores associated with New York City.

Looking at the Friends of Centennial Park Facebook page, it would appear that their first option would be for the city to purchase the Franklin Yards and to annex it to the park. Gingles suggestions may be designed to make the development unprofitable enough that the developer will choose not to proceed.

The PACS meeting, and subsequent city council meeting should be quite interesting. I could see a lot of opposition.

The current plan certainly needs a lot of tweaking. It is too bland, uniform, uninspired, and has way too much surface parking. Instead of having 9 six storey generic apartment buildings, perhaps there should be a couple of 9-10 storey buildings, and a number of smaller four storey buildings, and include architectural diversity, rather than a suburban monoculture of identical buildings. This does nothing more than create a ghetto-like effect.

The development should be integrated into the adjacent park (the park is a resource that should be utilized as a major feature of this development), and, as I previously mentioned, there should be a well lit and maintained path leading to Centennial Place to allow students to walk or bike to school. Neighbourhood commercial should be a definite consideration, especially given that there may be as many as 1000 units in this development.

A high density development in this location could be a tremendous idea. It just needs to be carefully planned. I get the impression that the current iteration was slapped together. Moncton can do better.........

MonctonRad · #**5658** Posted **Jul 21, 2021, 1:19 PM**

According to the T&T, construction of 51 Highfield Street will begin next month.

Given a six storey building with reinforced concrete construction, I fully expect another tower crane in the city.

LewisVillis · #**5659** Posted **Jul 21, 2021, 2:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I listened to Erik Gingles (ex mayoral candidate for Moncton) on CBC Radio this morning, acting as a spokesperson for the Friends of Centennial Park, opposing this plan for the Franklin Yards, which bounds the northern edge of the park.

It's not difficult to see why this group is in opposition to this particular plan. There is indeed a lot to dislike about this plan (mostly related to aesthetics), but Erik had some unusual suggestions (nothing more than three floors, near complete abolishment of on site parking, building a Codiac Transpo hub, inclusion of "bodegas" etc.). Bodegas BTW are ethnic Puerto Rican convenience stores associated with New York City.

Looking at the Friends of Centennial Park Facebook page, it would appear that their first option would be for the city to purchase the Franklin Yards and to annex it to the park. Gingles suggestions may be designed to make the development unprofitable enough that the developer will choose not to proceed.

The PACS meeting, and subsequent city council meeting should be quite interesting. I could see a lot of opposition.

The current plan certainly needs a lot of tweaking. It is too bland, uniform, uninspired, and has way too much surface parking. Instead of having 9 six storey generic apartment buildings, perhaps there should be a couple of 9-10 storey buildings, and a number of smaller four storey buildings, and include architectural diversity, rather than a suburban monoculture of identical buildings. This does nothing more than create a ghetto-like effect.

The development should be integrated into the adjacent park (the park is a resource that should be utilized as a major feature of this development), and, as I previously mentioned, there should be a well lit and maintained path leading to Centennial Place to allow students to walk or bike to school. Neighbourhood commercial should be a definite consideration, especially given that there may be as many as 1000 units in this development.

A high density development in this location could be a tremendous idea. It just needs to be carefully planned. I get the impression that the current iteration was slapped together. Moncton can do better.........

I'll be surprised (and disappointed) if the whole thing gets approval as is. I've lived in the area for the past 16 years, run through the park and along Millennium regularly, and the city needs to step up/step in to make sure the project adds to and not detracts from what could be a beautiful - if integrated properly - new neighborhood. They do need to think a little outside the boxy, ungainly design that's currently on the table. Not that I don't want to see the project go ahead - so much of mid to lower Millennium is an industrial wasteland/ghost-town and maybe this would help there too (don't ask me how, exactly, but 1000+ new area residents can't hurt). Landscape the crap out of everything, then add some Ginglesian bodegas, or pagodas, or bodega-pagodas.

JHikka · #**5660** Posted **Jul 21, 2021, 3:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisVillis

Not that I don't want to see the project go ahead - so much of mid to lower Millennium is an industrial wasteland/ghost-town and maybe this would help there too (don't ask me how, exactly, but 1000+ new area residents can't hurt).

Judging from the surface parking dedicated to these plans it looks like this is just going to be a car-oriented suburb apartment block area. Won't really do anything for Millennium except add driveways and traffic. There's no street interaction except for sides of buildings and parking.