[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[Fischbob]

Pretty sure it's the Port and/or Area 506 Festival that are running the Container Village, not the City. CSJ is, however, already in the business of commercial real estate management by way of the City Market, although I admit that's a bit of a special case.

If Brunswick Square's self storage plan comes to fruition that will make two container villages in the Uptown!!

(please for the love of all that is holy make them come up with a better idea)

[adamuptownsj]

The owner of the land is the Port, so there is no property tax collected AFAIK. That's a big advantage. Again, I just want to know the difference in rent.

The Market is definitely a special case, basically pre-dating the city, and as a sui generis thing it's fine.

[bridgeoftea]

Well this is not something anyone wants to read.
"Uptown Saint John apartment complex [The Wellington] to be finished by early next year, developer says."
"Lisa Keenan with Saint John Non-Profit Housing said the building will be done by December of this year or January of next year after some COVID-19 delays."


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ton-affordable-housing-1.6369773?cmp=rss

I thought it was just the winter that had stopped significant progress on the building. Seems like we have a fair few dormant projects.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Well this is not something anyone wants to read.
"Uptown Saint John apartment complex [The Wellington] to be finished by early next year, developer says."
"Lisa Keenan with Saint John Non-Profit Housing said the building will be done by December of this year or January of next year after some COVID-19 delays."


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ton-affordable-housing-1.6369773?cmp=rss

I thought it was just the winter that had stopped significant progress on the building. Seems like we have a fair few dormant projects.

I think it’s the finishing work they are concerned about. The Wentworth is still working top to bottom finishing apartments after 2.5 years or so. They are only filling their crack filler demand by 50%

[adamuptownsj]

It's not necessarily the fault of a tight labor market or slow developers or even material cost, solely. A friend of mine works in electrical supply and there's major shortages expected for a lot of things, especially wiring. Simply too many supply disruptions. I believe him. I had to try three businesses to buy a relatively common breaker the other day, and two had actual waitlists, which I've never encountered.

Provided they get the exterior finished in a reasonable time frame, I can't complain too much about an occupancy date. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of cladding and windows are manufactured in Canada or the US or Mexico, so supply should be a little healthier.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's not necessarily the fault of a tight labor market or slow developers or even material cost, solely. A friend of mine works in electrical supply and there's major shortages expected for a lot of things, especially wiring. Simply too many supply disruptions. I believe him. I had to try three businesses to buy a relatively common breaker the other day, and two had actual waitlists, which I've never encountered.

Provided they get the exterior finished in a reasonable time frame, I can't complain too much about an occupancy date. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of cladding and windows are manufactured in Canada or the US or Mexico, so supply should be a little healthier.

I'm guessing that's why the 4 story unit on Main street near Lansdowne Plaza has also just been halted. That's a shame if the supply issues are true.

[ColSJ]

They are relocating the jersey barriers on King Street tonight. Is this the first step for 99 King? Or just a coincidence?

Edit: no clue why there is a thumb down on this post?

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

They are relocating the jersey barriers on King Street tonight. Is this the first step for 99 King? Or just a coincidence?

Edit: no clue why there is a thumb down on this post?

Is it maybe due to the renovation of the Market Square entrance?

[adamuptownsj]

I ran into a guy doing some very preliminary site prep at 194 Charlotte (Charlotte & Queen Square South), which was sold along with designs for 4 kind of ugly modern townhouses in the fall. He had plans so of course I looked at them. Pleased to report the new designs are much better, with clapboard, interesting trim, flush instead of recessed garages, etc. And not just on the Queen Square side either- the whole street facing facade looks really nice.

He says they intend to start work this spring, but intend to ramp up in the summer.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I ran into a guy doing some very preliminary site prep at 194 Charlotte (Charlotte & Queen Square South), which was sold along with designs for 4 kind of ugly modern townhouses in the fall. He had plans so of course I looked at them. Pleased to report the new designs are much better, with clapboard, interesting trim, flush instead of recessed garages, etc. And not just on the Queen Square side either- the whole street facing facade looks really nice.

He says they intend to start work this spring, but intend to ramp up in the summer.

Glad to hear this - wasn’t feeling the modern design

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Glad to hear this - wasn’t feeling the modern design

Me neither. This is a massive improvement.

I'm working on a couple Harding townhouses myself and should have one starting soon. I had recently asked about the 4 lots and two decrepit buildings on the south corner of Harding and Charlotte as they had been listed at $450K or so over the winter, the owner is now convinced he can get $700K now. So that's gonna sit vacant for a long while.

Queen Square has potential to become a hot area fast. The city wants to develop part of the Key Industries parking lot, there's the former auto repair place on Charlotte/Queen Sq N, and pretty steady reno work going on.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I had recently asked about the 4 lots and two decrepit buildings on the south corner of Harding and Charlotte as they had been listed at $450K or so over the winter, the owner is now convinced he can get $700K now. So that's gonna sit vacant for a long while.

700k? Goodness me! For comparison sake, between the two properties on King Street Percy Wilbur paid $1.4 million. And Gothic Arches he paid $100K. I guess we should get used to seeing that clump of properties sitting underutilized.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Me neither. This is a massive improvement.

I'm working on a couple Harding townhouses myself and should have one starting soon. I had recently asked about the 4 lots and two decrepit buildings on the south corner of Harding and Charlotte as they had been listed at $450K or so over the winter, the owner is now convinced he can get $700K now. So that's gonna sit vacant for a long while.

Queen Square has potential to become a hot area fast. The city wants to develop part of the Key Industries parking lot, there's the former auto repair place on Charlotte/Queen Sq N, and pretty steady reno work going on.

I am excited to see that area of Uptown built up. There's lots of space for newer and improved buildings that can still fit in with a "heritage vibe" all the way down to the Lower Cove road.

[RJ2022]

Noticed that the land at the end of prince Edward street sold close to boys an girls club any rumours for this property. ?

[ColSJ]

The Wellington is starting to peak out on the skyline from the harbour bridge. There are only two floors left so the impact will be very minimal.

The Wentworth stands out great in the daytime but really missed the mark when it comes to lighting at night. Unless you know what you’re looking at it looks like a dark shadow.

Next month will mark the beginning of a huge construction season for uptown! Looking forward to all the progress to be made.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

The Wellington is starting to peak out on the skyline from the harbour bridge. There are only two floors left so the impact will be very minimal.

The Wentworth stands out great in the daytime but really missed the mark when it comes to lighting at night. Unless you know what you’re looking at it looks like a dark shadow.

Next month will mark the beginning of a huge construction season for uptown! Looking forward to all the progress to be made.

Wentworth will improve. Pretty much floors 1 to 4 are vacant still being finished. Our relatives secured a 4th floor apartment and occupancy is May 1st

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Wentworth will improve. Pretty much floors 1 to 4 are vacant still being finished. Our relatives secured a 4th floor apartment and occupancy is May 1st

I drove by the other day because I was curious about not seeing many lights on at night. And you're correct still looks like an active construct zone. On a side note. I hope they fix the roads surrounding the building as they've gotten pretty bad.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

The Wellington is starting to peak out on the skyline from the harbour bridge. There are only two floors left so the impact will be very minimal.

The Wentworth stands out great in the daytime but really missed the mark when it comes to lighting at night. Unless you know what you’re looking at it looks like a dark shadow.

Next month will mark the beginning of a huge construction season for uptown! Looking forward to all the progress to be made.

You can also see the Wellington peaking out when at the paradise/sommerset lights too.
By my count we'll be seeing activity on
- The Wellington
- Finishing the inside of the Wentworth
- First building of Fundy Quay foundation and new patios for Market Slip
- The site on the corner of Cliff / Waterloo
- 99 King street ( hopefully?)

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

You can also see the Wellington peaking out when at the paradise/sommerset lights too.
By my count we'll be seeing activity on
- The Wellington
- Finishing the inside of the Wentworth
- First building of Fundy Quay foundation and new patios for Market Slip
- The site on the corner of Cliff / Waterloo
- 99 King street ( hopefully?)

The city is redoing Wentworth street this summer. Don’t forget the project at 166 Leinster and all of the smaller scale projects like the townhouse developments at Queen Square.

[adamuptownsj]

Wentworth is not the only street getting redone in the area.

The eastern two blocks of Mecklenberg are both scheduled, which should hopefully help spur some redevelopment down there.

All around Germain-St James-Charlotte-Lower Cove is planned too, which should help push uptown further south, and the stretch of Charlotte from King Square S to Princess is getting buried power lines in addition to street reconstruction.

Pitt from Broad to St James, and Britain from Wentworth to Pitt, is also planned.