[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by 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???

I was hoping that the Junction Village would build on the corner next. After all, they did acquire those two properties in April to create a larger parcel of land along Main Street.

And it's hard to believe that the Aquilinis would squander an opportunity to develop this prime property with just a restaurant building. I like the idea of a 2-3 floor podium, and I'd like to see it extent to the corner with the bus depot being demolished.

I'm not sure, but you'd have to think that the City has reached it's development targets in the area of the Avenir Center.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

And it's hard to believe that the Aquilinis would squander an opportunity to develop this prime property with just a restaurant building. I like the idea of a 2-3 floor podium, and I'd like to see it extent to the corner with the bus depot being demolished.

It makes sense to build a 2-3 storey podium section for now and keep the corner 1-storey building until they are ready to proceed with a more significant project. A new tower would likely be located on the corner and there is no need to tear it down if there are no plans for that lot at this time.

Also, the Aquilinis, being based out of Vancouver, might have a different definition as to what constitutes "favorable market conditions" for a major project. I'm guessing the projected return on investment potential in Moncton is small potatoes compared to downtown Vancouver.

[MonctonRad]

According to the T&T, a spokesperson for the Crowne Plaza stated that the construction project is related to "updates to the hotel's restaurant and bar", and should be complete by the end of 2023.

This would imply that this construction project in not a major one, and therefore probably will only be 1-2 storeys.

Disappointing news, especially on top of the probable Dolllarama at CF Champlain. I think I'll go back to bed.................

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

According to the T&T, a spokesperson for the Crowne Plaza stated that the construction project is related to "updates to the hotel's restaurant and bar", and should be complete by the end of 2023.

This would imply that this construction project in not a major one, and therefore probably will only be 1-2 storeys.

Disappointing news, especially on top of the probable Dolllarama at CF Champlain. I think I'll go back to bed.................

Agree it's disappointing, especially as it's the Main Street frontage we're talking about here. But as NBNYer pointed out, there's still the corner lot where the old bus station yet stands, plus a lot of surface parking behind. There's a lot of potential, so let's hope that Aquilini Development does something impressive with it.

[jonny golden]

So they aren't demolishing the entire 2 story section at the Crowne Plaza? There's a good chunk of it still standing. Would they be planning to renovate this section as part of a larger construction project?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So they aren't demolishing the entire 2 story section at the Crowne Plaza? There's a good chunk of it still standing. Would they be planning to renovate this section as part of a larger construction project?

You would think, but I guess you can do a lot cosmetically with a little stucco and paint. A lick and a promise as my mother would have said.

This is obviously going to be a minor project. A reconstruction of a portion of the retail strip. It will likely be two storeys - tall enough to blend in with the remaining older portion of the building.

It appears we are only looking at construction of a restaurant (and bar) - nothing more than this.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

You would think, but I guess you can do a lot cosmetically with a little stucco and paint. A lick and a promise as my mother would have said.

This is obviously going to be a minor project. A reconstruction of a portion of the retail strip. It will likely be two storeys - tall enough to blend in with the remaining older portion of the building.

It appears we are only looking at construction of a restaurant (and bar) - nothing more than this.

Yeah, it certainly looks that way, unless they're doing the demolition in 2 stages. One thing that I noticed today while driving by is that there's a basement under this section. Great opportunity to do something with underground parking! But alas I think your call of a restaurant only is looking likely.

There's a lot more undeveloped land on this block though. The old bus depot could come down, and there's a big surface parking lot behind. I sooo wish Aquilini Development would step up and construct a 10 floor building! Preferably in my lifetime.

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Yeah, it certainly looks that way, unless they're doing the demolition in 2 stages. One thing that I noticed today while driving by is that there's a basement under this section. Great opportunity to do something with underground parking! But alas I think your call of a restaurant only is looking likely.

There's a lot more undeveloped land on this block though. The old bus depot could come down, and there's a big surface parking lot behind. I sooo wish Aquilini Development would step up and construct a 10 floor building! Preferably in my lifetime.

Did someone not say, whoever owned the old SMT bus station had advertised the building for office space? This may have been a year or more ago..

[josh_cat_eyes]

Could the city require them to have more height? Or if the building fits the existing land use, are we shit out of luck?

[MonctonRad]

This is what the Flat Iron Building looks like after it's refresh:



Pretty amazing eh? I love to see iconic older buildings being rescued and repurposed. This is what gives a city it's character.

The Heritage Conservation Board has given the new owner a little grief regarding modifications he wanted to make to the facade, and, as such, he has done little here beyond repainting. The interior fit up however is first rate.

The building is for lease, either as a barber shop/hairdressing salon or a small office. Apparently there has been some interest expressed.

[MonctonRad]

The owner of the Flat Iron is still interested in purchasing the Subway Block next door, but, apparently, the building is in such a desperate state that it is almost not worthwhile making the necessary repairs to bring it up to code. This situation has been exacerbated by the fact the Heritage Conservation Board is placing unreasonable restrictions on what he wants to do to the building. He is very frustrated (info from a reliable intermediary source).

This is very sad. The Subway Block deserved to be saved as well, and, in many ways, the Subway Block and the Flat Iron Building go together like shoes and socks. They complement each other extremely well and belong together.

Hopefully the proponent will not back out, and some reasonable accommodation can be made with the heritage people.

[jonny golden]

They've done a great job with the flat iron building. It was really sad to see such an iconic downtown Moncton building sitting vacant for so long. Seeing what they've done with this, I'd like to see them acquire the subway block too and bring it back to life. I wish this developer much success.

[Colouratura]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The wrapping has (finally) come off the windows of Harvest Clean Eats in the Higgins Block at the corner of Main and Botsford. It looks as if interior fit up is almost complete. Looks very nice. Opening must be imminent.

and with this, the transformation of the Higgins Block from the ugly duckling of downtown Moncton into a beautiful swan is virtually complete. The owners of this building deserve an award for what they have accomplished.

I noticed that the restaurant is finally open when I went by today. Nice and bright inside.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by Colouratura

I noticed that the restaurant is finally open when I went by today. Nice and bright inside.

I ate there this week. It's good, but even more expensive than Freshii, which was a lot to begin with. I had a panini sandwich (which was VERY tasty) but no larger than one you'd make at home with regular bread and a fizzy water and with 10% tip it was $18.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by Nashe

I ate there this week. It's good, but even more expensive than Freshii, which was a lot to begin with. I had a panini sandwich (which was VERY tasty) but no larger than one you'd make at home with regular bread and a fizzy water and with 10% tip it was $18.

I only eat at freshii when they have offers on the app. Like right now for 4.99 you can get one of two bowls Friday through Monday. $18 for a sandwich and drink? No thanks.

[MonctonRad]

Signage for the new Harley-Davidson dealership on West Main Street has been installed.

This saga has been ongoing for more than two years, but, now, finally appears to be approaching the end.

[MaritimerJAB]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So they aren't demolishing the entire 2 story section at the Crowne Plaza? There's a good chunk of it still standing. Would they be planning to renovate this section as part of a larger construction project?

I spoke to a crown plaza employee today. The rest of the retail stip is coming down. It will be a more delicate removal as the pool is behind it and this structure is remaining. The employee wouldn't confirm Baton Rouge having said the plan to move the restaurant street side was for several years part of the plans. Not sure if Baton Rouge is even the banner at this point?? Anyhow lots of demo is still to come. Also got confirmation that the old bus station will not come down in relation to this project.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MaritimerJAB

The employee wouldn't confirm Baton Rouge having said the plan to move the restaurant street side was for several years part of the plans. Not sure if Baton Rouge is even the banner at this point??

"Wouldn't confirm" isn't the same thing as an outright denial of the rumour.

Having said this though, it is true that we have no hard evidence that Baton Rouge is indeed coming.

Speculation however is the fun part of the game.........

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MaritimerJAB

I spoke to a crown plaza employee today. The rest of the retail stip is coming down. It will be a more delicate removal as the pool is behind it and this structure is remaining. The employee wouldn't confirm Baton Rouge having said the plan to move the restaurant street side was for several years part of the plans. Not sure if Baton Rouge is even the banner at this point?? Anyhow lots of demo is still to come. Also got confirmation that the old bus station will not come down in relation to this project.

So it seems like the project they are currently working on relates to the restaurant only. It's interesting that the bus station won't come down "in relation to this project." Maybe there is a glimmer of hope that Aquilini Development will undertake a more significant project at some point in the future. A residential tower on the corner would be a great addition to this underdeveloped block.

[MonctonRad]

Nice drone shot showing the demolition work on the retail plaza attached to the Crowne Plaza. You can see the new apartment building by Ashford under construction in the background:


Infinity Aerials photo.