[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I've just noticed the Cactus Club sign on the render. I'm guessing it doesn't mean anything but it is a bit odd that they would use an existing restaurant chain as a place holder sign.

[MonctonRad]

Indeed very interesting.

https://www.cactusclubcafe.com

This is a BC based fine casual dining restaurant chain with 30 locations and an interesting menu. They have locations in BC, AB & SK as well as Toronto.

I agree that this is an odd choice for a placeholder sign. I doubt that this means anything, but the CRU with the signage is obviously intended to be a restaurant (outside patio). We will have to keep an eye on this one.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

An excavator is on site at the retail strip adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Main Street. Demolition is imminent. Will a Baton Rouge arise from the ashes????

Demolition has commenced.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Demolition has commenced.

Let’s just cross fingers that this is going to be more than just a one story suburban restaurant

[Sandbagger]

There's an announcement on the Crowne Plaza website that says this:

"We are currently in the process of remodeling our restaurant and some areas at the back entrance of the building. Construction will be happening to the adjacent building next to the hotel from 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday. Some level of construction noise may happen; we ask for your kind cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience. Any questions, please contact [email protected]"

Would this be referring to this project or the TBones in the hotel? I find it odd they would say "remodelling" for such a large project but they also make direct reference to "the adjacent building". Maybe both are happening at the same time?

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Let’s just cross fingers that this is going to be more than just a one story suburban restaurant

Agree 100% as this is such a prime downtown location. The good thing is that Aquilini Development are big players in the residential space. Hopefully they'll understand the opportunity in Moncton and create something special. Time will tell.

This is what they are capable of:
Website for the Aquilini Center in Vancouver: https://www.aquilinicentre.com/

[MonctonRad]

Photo of the demolition at the Crowne Plaza from the T&T today. The accompanying article was not particularly enlightening. The T&T has asked for a comment from the Crowne Plaza regarding what was going on, but this was not forthcoming.

Quelle surprise.......

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Photo of the demolition at the Crowne Plaza from the T&T today. The accompanying article was not particularly enlightening. The T&T has asked for a comment from the Crowne Plaza regarding what was going on, but this was not forthcoming.

Quelle surprise.......

I assume they're tearing down all the way over to the Crown Plaza (where it bumps out)?

[tmacdougall]

Damn, I could have used that black fence. That's good stuff.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Photo of the demolition at the Crowne Plaza from the T&T today. The accompanying article was not particularly enlightening. The T&T has asked for a comment from the Crowne Plaza regarding what was going on, but this was not forthcoming.

Quelle surprise.......

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Demolition has commenced.

So I wonder if they are just going to do the demolition for now, then start construction in the spring? Would it depend on what they're planning?

I really hope they don't just construct a one floor restaurant building!

[Leroy321]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So I wonder if they are just going to do the demolition for now, then start construction in the spring? Would it depend on what they're planning?

I really hope they don't just construct a one floor restaurant building!

It’s sounds odd to build a one floor restaurant right on Main Street also almost across from avenir centre. It would be nice to have some residential on top

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So I wonder if they are just going to do the demolition for now, then start construction in the spring? Would it depend on what they're planning?

I really hope they don't just construct a one floor restaurant building!

There no restaurant. They are only expanding their surface parking lot to accommodate the Shania Twain concert for next year.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

There no restaurant. They are only expanding their surface parking lot to accommodate the Shania Twain concert for next year.

Don't you dare.............

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

It’s sounds odd to build a one floor restaurant right on Main Street also almost across from avenir centre. It would be nice to have some residential on top

I'd have been more excited if they had also demolished the single story bus depot on the corner.

[bam63]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Houses are gone. FWIW, there are some stakes in the ground where the two former houses used to be, although I think this has more to do with the demolition rather than any upcoming construction. Having said this though, I am pretty confident we will see action on this early next year.

Not sure if it means anything but all trees on site have just been cut down as of Friday when I drove by.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by bam63

Not sure if it means anything but all trees on site have just been cut down as of Friday when I drove by.

Oh, I think it means something.

It probably means site prep before winter really sets in, and then construction next spring.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Oh, I think it means something.

It probably means site prep before winter really sets in, and then construction next spring.

Do we know if there has been any design changes yet? I thought that this wasn’t the final design, but may I heard wrong.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Do we know if there has been any design changes yet? I thought that this wasn’t the final design, but may I heard wrong.

No, we don't know this. I would not be surprised however if there were changes, potentially even significant ones.

[jonny golden]

So if the Junction developers build an 8-10 floor building fronting on Main Street, add the nine floor mixed use building across the street at 1299 Main, and Aquilini builds a mixed use building with some height (Baton Rouge on the ground floor), this section of Main Street would be transformed. I realize there are a couple of big ifs there, but it would really energize this part of the downtown.

[MonctonRad]

Big ifs for sure.

- 1299 Main is a go. Design changes aside, this is a nine storey equivalent building.
- As for the Junction Village building across the street, it should be of similar stature, but remains contingent on final land consolidation. This construction project may not happen for 2-3 years, perhaps not until after the Junction Hall is built.
- As for the Crowne Plaza, I remain hopeful this will be more than just a Baton Rouge restaurant. At the very least, I would like to see a 2-3 storey podium that can be built on later. It would make sense for Aquillini to do something like this (to maximize future potential for the site). In addition, it would make sense for the Crowne Plaza to consolidate any ballroom/convention facilities in the hotel close to the new restaurant.

In any event, the transformation of the downtown west end continues at rapid speed.

Remember those naysayers who said that the city investment in the Avenir Centre was a boondoggle and an unforgivable waste of taxpayer dollars???