[Halifax] Richmond Yards | 103-47-41-40-32 m | 31-13-12-10-8 fl | U/C

[teddifax]

I thought this was 30 stories.... how high is it going to be? I guess 103m is equal to 337 ft. so it could be 33 stories or so?

[Dmajackson]

^That was an error on my behalf. The stepback is at floor 27. There's four floors with this reduced floorplate and then the penthouse. So it's 30 regular floors plus a double height penthouse so it will have the height of a 32-storey building.

[someone123]

Thanks for the pictures.

I find building floor counts are often broken out into parts in HRM documents and the media. For example, a 30 storey tower might be described as a 25 storey tower with 2 storey penthouse on a 3 storey podium. Then on top of this if the site is sloped the count may not begin at the lowest above-ground floor.

[Nouvellecosse]

The view from Dartmouth makes it look like a whole second skyline is forming. Would be so cool if the area were to become a whole new node with this becoming a sort of "midtown" of equal or greater importance compared to the old lower CBD on the lower peninsula.

[bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

The view from Dartmouth makes it look like a whole second skyline is forming. Would be so cool if the area were to become a whole new node with this becoming a sort of "midtown" of equal or greater importance compared to the old lower CBD on the lower peninsula.

With the World Juniors on, this comes to mind: as much as I wouldn't want to detract from downtown, if we really can't fit a new arena there (or just about anywhere else on the Peninsula) and it's not in the works for the Cogswell redevelopment, the Shoppers/Rona/Piercey's properties might be a reasonable option. And lumping in the Canada Post lot could even set the stage for a whole 'sports & entertainment district' with things like a public plaza, transit terminal, restaurants, shops, hotels, residential, public amenities/attractions, etc. It's not that far removed from downtown anyway, and interestingly the City's original multi-purpose event centre was/is basically on the same block.

Or perhaps a football & soccer stadium could be considered. Just thinking out loud...

In any case, the area does seem primed for major redevelopment with Richmond Yards having initiated that in a big way, and there's a ton of potential (to an extent which doesn't come along often on the Peninsula) so it would be good if it could be carried out with a bit of visioning of the possibilities.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

With the World Juniors on, this comes to mind: as much as I wouldn't want to detract from downtown, if we really can't fit a new arena there (or just about anywhere else on the Peninsula) and it's not in the works for the Cogswell redevelopment, the Shoppers/Rona/Piercey's properties might be a reasonable option. And lumping in the Canada Post lot could even set the stage for a whole 'sports & entertainment district' with things like a public plaza, transit terminal, restaurants, shops, hotels, residential, public amenities/attractions, etc. It's not that far removed from downtown anyway, and interestingly the City's original multi-purpose event centre was/is basically on the same block.

Or perhaps a football & soccer stadium could be considered. Just thinking out loud...

In any case, the area does seem primed for major redevelopment with Richmond Yards having initiated that in a big way, and there's a ton of potential (to an extent which doesn't come along often on the Peninsula) so it would be good if it could be carried out with a bit of visioning of the possibilities.

I've been thinking the same thing. It could be a great spot for a stadium. The curling rink is also moving, making for even more room. It would have good access on and off the peninsula, and be close enough to DT so the Wanderers could play there. They could subsidies it with condos and commercial like they did in Ottawa.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

With the World Juniors on, this comes to mind: as much as I wouldn't want to detract from downtown, if we really can't fit a new arena there (or just about anywhere else on the Peninsula) and it's not in the works for the Cogswell redevelopment, the Shoppers/Rona/Piercey's properties might be a reasonable option. And lumping in the Canada Post lot could even set the stage for a whole 'sports & entertainment district' with things like a public plaza, transit terminal, restaurants, shops, hotels, residential, public amenities/attractions, etc. It's not that far removed from downtown anyway, and interestingly the City's original multi-purpose event centre was/is basically on the same block.

Or perhaps a football & soccer stadium could be considered. Just thinking out loud...

It's a real shame that all of that land is currently occupied.

The one logical spot for such a thing are the Windsor Park/Willow Park lands at Bayers and Windsor. Also occupied, but mostly with old low-rise structures built around the time of WWII by the military that could go virtually anywhere else and be far more efficient. It is at a confluence of transportation with the 102 coming up Bayers and both peninsular Halifax and Dartmouth routes coming up Windsor.

Unfortunately in its infinite wisdom the province has decided a school needs to go on part of the property. Change that direction.

[Empire]

Time to think outside the box. The potential is enormous for the area from Almon St. to Bedford Basin. The Fairview Cove waterfront should be carefully considered for use for a developing peninsula. As car dealerships relocate and brownfield sites gain interest the rezoning of these lots to R4 should be a given. A cluster of commercial office towers would be a good fit for the area around Young Tower. Maybe Windsor and Willow Park could be combined in an area North of Burnside and connect to CFB Halifax & CFAD Bedford at Magazine Hill allowing much needed high density residential to develop in that space.

Close one lane of Windsor St. to install monorail stanchions. Half the width of Windsor St. should be able to support a two-track system. (see link below) Have the remaining lane of Windsor St. reversable with rush hour priority. There should be enough space to install a separate bike lane with fence barrier the length of Windsor. There would be a break in the fencing at existing streets so access to the one-way traffic would be available. The west rail terminal would be somewhere on Commission St. if a land acquisition could be brokered. The line would run from Commission St. through Willow Park to Windsor St. The east terminal would be at the St. Pats brownfield site. The lines could be reversable so and end loop wouldn’t be necessary. A similar line would run from St. Pats Station along Quinpool to Cogswell and then terminate at a station constructed in the parkade of Scotia Square. This line would be reversable as well so the track could be straight runs. A line could also run to Fairview Cove and connect with a ferry service. The Windsor line could have two stops, Forum and one other with crossover access under the tracks.

Two track monorail:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Monor...au_-_Einfahrt_in_Station_Telezentrum.jpg

[Nouvellecosse]

Part of the reason why I prefer a higher order transit alignment that runs through the area (as opposed to the rail cut) is the redevelopment potential. And the arena could definitely be fit in with the right arrangement. Even just the post facility site would be big enough to host an area the size of Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton where the ti-cats play.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

Or perhaps a football & soccer stadium could be considered. Just thinking out loud...

Originally Posted by Haliguy

I've been thinking the same thing. It could be a great spot for a stadium.

If Wanderers Grounds is expanding at its current location then I doubt there'll be need for a second stadium site.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by JHikka

If Wanderers Grounds is expanding at its current location then I doubt there'll be need for a second stadium site.

If we're talking about a facility capable of hosting a future CFL team then that location is far too small judging by other CFL stadiums. The minimum area seems to be about 30k m2.

[someone123]

I think it would need a bit of a shift in perspective to happen but the peninsula, filled in with more development, will be perfect for modern European streetcar style service. A number of these routes could be built including one running to the North End.

Aside from the large amount of developable land there, the Young/Almon area is not encumbered by the ramparts bylaw and viewplanes.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

If we're talking about a facility capable of hosting a future CFL team then that location is far too small judging by other CFL stadiums. The minimum area seems to be about 30k m2.

I didn't realize that project was still alive. I wouldn't build a facility expecting the CFL show up, lest Halifax make the same mistake Quebec City did in thinking an NHL team would show up if the facility were built.

Wanderers is entirely suitable for HFX and most any other stadium event Halifax can and will host in the near-term if their expansion plans are confirmed and acted upon.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

If we're talking about a facility capable of hosting a future CFL team then that location is far too small judging by other CFL stadiums. The minimum area seems to be about 30k m2.

This topic has been done to death but if there were flexibility around assembling land and realigning streets I think there would be enough space. To me it seems the root problem is that there is no coherent plan for the commons, partly because it's shared between 2 levels of government and Parks Canada. Then we have the Friends of Whatever Happened to Be There. Maybe the Wanderers will break this mode of operation a bit, but they are interested in facilities for their own use. The municipality should be leading and asking what the best use of all the common land is in the long run including major amenities. Reconfiguring a small part of it to get a 20-30k stadium footprint instead of 10k is probably completely worth it. regardless of the CFL.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by someone123

I think it would need a bit of a shift in perspective to happen but the peninsula, filled in with more development, will be perfect for modern European streetcar style service. A number of these routes could be built including one running to the North End.

Street cars/trams would be ideal for the peninsula.

The solution to Halifax's transit woes will most definitely be multipronged.
1) - streetcars/trolleys for the peninsula
2) - busses (BRT) for the inner suburbs (eg Clayton Park & Spryfield)
3) - heavy commuter rail for Bedford/Sackville and exurban areas
4) - fast ferries for those downtown Dartmouthians and Bedford denizens who don't mind being cold, clammy, wet and seasick.

Unfortunately, HRM politicians and bureaucrats seem unable (or unwilling) to see the big picture, and are incapable of making proactive decisions that would come online in 10-15 years when it will be truly needed.

[someone123]

Here is a listing of some land for sale (3 rowhouses) along Agricola with drone shots of the area: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25146881/273027322736-agricola-street-north-end-north-end

It is very interesting. One can see how there is still a long way to go but the neighbourhood is getting some good density and these new buildings must represent a huge increase in density over what was there already. The west side of Robie was basically industrial and then transitioned to a somewhat tattered stretch of Agricola around there while the Hydrostone was always in better shape. But that part of Agricola is becoming medium density and some areas west of Robie might be high density.

The area will have a nice combination of density and character. People will be able to live in modern multi-unit buildings and walk to interesting old shops and cafes. Hopefully the two old Bloomfield structures will be preserved.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Street cars/trams would be ideal for the peninsula.

The solution to Halifax's transit woes will most definitely be multipronged.
1) - streetcars/trolleys for the peninsula
2) - busses (BRT) for the inner suburbs (eg Clayton Park & Spryfield)
3) - heavy commuter rail for Bedford/Sackville and exurban areas
4) - fast ferries for those downtown Dartmouthians and Bedford denizens who don't mind being cold, clammy, wet and seasick.

Unfortunately, HRM politicians and bureaucrats seem unable (or unwilling) to see the big picture, and are incapable of making proactive decisions that would come online in 10-15 years when it will be truly needed.

And that inaction is attempted to be covered off with a disproportionate investment in the supposedly low hanging fruit of Cheaply built poorly timed bike infrastructure. "see, we are doing something".

Its time for folks with responsibilities to do what Houston and the Province did recently with the Hospital plan. Ask uncomfortable questions. slay some Empires and actually plan to get AHEAD of things.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

20230101_134425_HDR by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr


20230101_134158 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

[Antigonish]

Very impressive!

[coastalkid]

From today: