I think, but I'm not certain that people have started moving in to the upper floors of the Hub building. There is also Parentheses gallery across the street and a new roller dirby shop (I guess there is a market for this?!) in the former Good Food Emporium space.
One of the things that is a bit unusual about Gottingen is how "local" and organic the recent improvements have been. I think the end results in a couple of years are likely to be pretty interesting as a result. One of the open questions is whether or not the changes in the neighbourhood will translate into gains for a wide range of pre-existing locals, including people living in public housing like Uniacke Square. There is some knee-jerk anti-gentrification sentiment but economic development doesn't have to be a zero-sum game with clear losers.
The condo at Falkland was criticized a lot for being ugly or out of place but I am having a hard time seeing it as anything other than a big improvement for that corner, particularly now that businesses have moved in.
I agree. Some of the newer additions to the street haven't been amazing in terms of design, but the new residents and businesses have done wonders for the street. Gottingen used to be a scary, dismal place most hours of the day but now it has a strong little group of places (Edna, Field Guide, Company House, The Nook) that give the street a vibrant feel even after dark. Five years ago I never would have thought I would frequent Gottingen during the night, but it's become one of my favourite streets in the city. The north end is doing so well these days.
All hail Gottingen’s stalwarts
07/04/2014
PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG BUSINESS REPORTER - The Chronicle Herald
Michelle Strum, in front of Alteregos Cafe and Halifax Backpackers Hostel, on Gottingen Street says Gottingen 250 celebrations are set for Sept. 11-14. (Staff) PETER PARSONS
Quote:
It’s been 13 years since Michelle Strum set up shop on Halifax’s Gottingen Street.
She’s seen businesses come and go, but even in difficult times, the area remained “a breeding ground for small businesses.”
“There’s a heartbeat here that I haven’t found (in) other places,” the owner of Halifax Backpackers Hostel and Alteregos Cafe & Catering said.
“It’s super-connected. It’s like a small town — it’s that kind of feel.”
Strum and other area businesses with the North End Business Association are now honouring the community through Gottingen 250.
Thanks for the pictures Duff. I think that Gottingen Street is starting to look good.
It would be good to see the power lines buried some day.
its not the powerlines that are the issue - you hardly see those cables in the pictures. The ugly black things are Telephone and Cable. those are the lines that ruin photos.
Here's something I'm sure a few of you have already done: tracking change using streetview! The most recent images are a couple years old now, but the difference is still dramatic.
A drycleaner has become Edna, and of course we have new bus lanes and a revamped sidewalk
Here's a cluster of boutique midrises, with the community health centre becoming something else, and the white rose being built on the other side of the street.
The Velo
Old Casino theatre lot turning into the Theatre Lofts, which I suppose is trying to appropriate that "vintage" look in order to sell itself to the "hip".
A men's supportive housing building next to Velo 2.
Great pictures! With how dense the street is becoming again, they need to make burying the power/telcom lines a priority IMO, it's such a narrow street and looks pretty cluttered.
I lived in Theatre Lofts for a few years. Worst designed building I've ever lived in.
It is an impressive transformation that I did not anticipate back in the 2000's. I think in a few years those 2019 streetview shots will seem kind of like the 2009 ones. Gottingen might eventually be thought of as part of downtown, while areas like Agricola and Young Street will become busier neighbourhoods.
I think in a few years those 2019 streetview shots will seem kind of like the 2009 ones. Gottingen might eventually be thought of as part of downtown, while areas like Agricola and Young Street will become busier neighbourhoods.
I think that's quite likely, if not inevitable. But as for Gottingen, we should say "thought of as part of downtown once again".
When I was very young (and, obviously, long before that) it was an extremely busy retail district, and not just with discount outlets, but higher-end clothiers, jewelers, restaurants and the like.
One really nice change is the feel of Gottingen at nighttime. Other factors might be playing into this right now but even before the pandemic I started to enjoy walking the street more at night then when I first moved into the neighbourhood. One visible change is some of the new buildings have light installations that make the street more welcoming at night. The Velo lights up their bicycle sculpture, and the newest building The White Rose looks sharp at night.
First time exploring Halifax in over 10 years. I remember Gottingen St in the late 2000s described as a place to avoid (i.e. cab or drive out of the navy base rather than walking into town). Quite a few changes since then!
Lots of new housing for one, either on the street itself or not far away:
Seemed like there were construction sites and cranes everywhere across from the base gates
Hipster doughnut shops under condos/apartments
Library less flashy of course than the new one on Spring Garden but looking well used and loved
Not sure what this is but does liven up an otherwise desolate remaining stretch
Almost a canyon effect with the new housing
Street furniture also appears to be upgraded in the last few years
Still signs of how the street used to be as I remember it a decade ago
But definitely a change in feel since then, especially in the evening. Places like LF Bakery, Edna's, Seven Bays Cafe all looked very busy, like they were draws from around town, not just the area
Thanks for the pictures. Part of what is going on with the desolate stretch you point out, I think, is that some buildings were torn down years ago for affordable housing developments that never materialized. One of those sites got sold off and maybe construction will begin.
There is also the government office building and surface parking next door.
I was never impressed by that cinder block architect office building that is now painted.
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