[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have heard similar rumours (30-35 storeys). Like you, I have seen no plans. They are so difficult to believe that I generally refrain from mentioning them.

And there are only certain developers who could pull off a 30-35 floor construction project. So eventually we could see a structure that nobody saw coming, and that would be exciting.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

And there are only certain developers who could pull off a 30-35 floor construction project. So eventually we could see a structure that nobody saw coming, and that would be exciting.

I have great difficulty believing the 30-35 storey rumour. Even if an irrationally enthusiastic developer were thinking of this, there are any number of real world problems which might arise that could cause him to cut back on his expectations.

Having said this:

- I have no difficulty believing that 1 Foundry (the Fourth Sister) could be a 20 storey building. Lafford said this building would be of a similar scale to the Three Sisters, and workers on site mentioned 20 storeys.
- I also have no difficulty believing that the signature building in the Ashford/Downing Street project could be in the 20-25 storey range. This is in the heart of the downtown core, and I imagine Ashford would want to make a statement (and to outdo Lafford).

Anything beyond this is purely speculative, but so many people have heard so many rumours emanating from supposedly reliable sources, that it is difficult to ignore.

Downtown should be very much different in 10 years time.........

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have great difficulty believing the 30-35 storey rumour. Even if an irrationally enthusiastic developer were thinking of this, there are any number of real world problems which might arise that could cause him to cut back on his expectations.

Having said this:

- I have no difficulty believing that 1 Foundry (the Fourth Sister) could be a 20 storey building. Lafford said this building would be of a similar scale to the Three Sisters, and workers on site mentioned 20 storeys.
- I also have no difficulty believing that the signature building in the Ashford/Downing Street project could be in the 20-25 storey range. This is in the heart of the downtown core, and I imagine Ashford would want to make a statement (and to outdo Lafford).

Anything beyond this is purely speculative, but so many people have heard so many rumours emanating from supposedly reliable sources, that it is difficult to ignore.

Downtown should be very much different in 10 years time.........

I also don't think we'll see 30-35 floors any time soon. A $50 million project should deliver a 20-25 floor building based on the 3 sisters being $100 million. The thing about the Aquilini & Crombie speculation is that there's been absolutely nothing mentioned, no rumors whatsoever. Wouldn't you think that we'd have heard some tidbit if there was such significant planning goin on?

As much as I'd like to see one of them come to the table with a major Main Street project, I'm leaning towards Ashford being the developer of the $50 million project. Time will tell.

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have heard similar rumours (30-35 storeys). Like you, I have seen no plans. They are so difficult to believe that I generally refrain from mentioning them.

Fair. I have held on to that little nugget for a month or so.. finally thought today would be the day!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Riberview

Fair. I have held on to that little nugget for a month or so.. finally thought today would be the day!

It's not just you. Multiple people have heard these rumours. But, this does not mean they are true..........

But, it should be noted they are building a 35 storey building in Kelowna BC, and Kelowna is not that much bigger than Moncton.

[OUIR@random]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It's not just you. Multiple people have heard these rumours. But, this does not mean they are true..........

But, it should be noted they are building a 35 storey building in Kelowna BC, and Kelowna is not that much bigger than Moncton.

There is no comparison in land value, there is no incentive to build higher here (land value in BC are insane), especially at that height it won't happen here. Buildings at those heights is very very expensive, no incentive or ROI would justify that here. The only place in the maritimes where we will see something this high is in the Halifax region and they already exist there.

We will see many new buildings at up to 8-20 storeys but that's it and I'm quite generous at 20. Most of what's to come will be 8-12 floors in the next few years.

[MonctonRad]

All this talk about the $50M mystery project including retail and residential components as well as "parking garages" is beginning to produce information from generally reliable sources.

I just received this communication from a source who has been a valuable conduit of information in the past:

The Ashford plan is to start moving on the (Downing Street) project this year. The city is finalizing funding applications for infrastructure which the project is dependent on. As long as the funding is confirmed - then Ashford can start moving on the first building.

The plan for the first building is 14 stories - but, each floor is planned to be taller than average and apparently this building will be almost as tall as the 20 story Assumption building.

Now, there is no absolute guarantee that the Ashford plans refer specifically to the $50M mystery project, but this seems logical. We know that phase one for Ashford includes a residential tower and a relocated city market (retail component). The need for enclosed parking structures is a given, since the ultimate plan is to completely eliminate the surface parking behind Assumption Place. The Ashford project therefore ticks all the boxes.

These are some early conceptual drawings of what the city has in mind for Downing Street.





Even though these drawings are from five years ago, and were commissioned by the city (not the developer), I actually think this will be very close to the eventual product. The tower in these drawings is nearly the height of Assumption Place, and the floor count is 14-15 storeys.

Hmmmmmmmm...................

[MonctonRad]

I very much look forward to seeing the actual renderings. If this rumour is accurate, these renderings should surface in the next few months.

[jonny golden]

This impressive phase looks to include a substantial structure besides the actual residential tower itself. Presumably for parking as well as the new market and more. It looks like it's 5 storeys.

[pierremoncton]

I posted in 2021 that the Ashford downtown timeline is:

- 2022: infrastructure (city's responsibility)
- 2023: start building

I asked my source for an update. I was again told that Ashford is still planning to start building this year; however, it's unclear whether that will happen because the infrastructure isn't in place.

[David_99]

Has the city updated their schedule on when they plan the infrastructure to start?

[MonctonRad]

1333 Main was not approved at the Moncton City Council meeting last night.

Local residents raised objections about the building height, associated shadows, as well as parking and traffic congestion - the usual stuff (although nobody thought to raise concerns regarding the children).

The council elected to defer further discussion until the February meeting, and allow city staff time to look at resident concerns.

I imagine this project will eventually be approved as proposed, or with minimal changes.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

I posted in 2021 that the Ashford downtown timeline is:

- 2022: infrastructure (city's responsibility)
- 2023: start building

I asked my source for an update. I was again told that Ashford is still planning to start building this year; however, it's unclear whether that will happen because the infrastructure isn't in place.

I believe it is possible for the city to start in May and have things be completed by September, at which time the Ashford building could commence. Perhaps there could even be some overlap.

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

1333 Main was not approved at the Moncton City Council meeting last night.

Local residents raised objections about the building height, associated shadows, as well as parking and traffic congestion - the usual stuff (although nobody thought to raise concerns regarding the children).

The council elected to defer further discussion until the February meeting, and allow city staff time to look at resident concerns.

I imagine this project will eventually be approved as proposed, or with minimal changes.

\
Growing up in tgh neoghbourhood I figured there may be some push back from the residents. Even though the street is right next to the core, traffic is
ALMOST non-exsistant on Enterprise and Capitol and will increase a fair bit. The Shadow thing is there, but most of the afternoon sun will create the shadow on Vauughn Harv ey

[daveynb]

Originally Posted by PEI highway guy

\
Growing up in tgh neoghbourhood I figured there may be some push back from the residents. Even though the street is right next to the core, traffic is
ALMOST non-exsistant on Enterprise and Capitol and will increase a fair bit. The Shadow thing is there, but most of the afternoon sun will create the shadow on Vauughn Harv ey

Looks REALLY BIG for that lot, imho!

[MonctonRad]

It is right on the NW corner of Main & Vaughan Harvey however. If you can't build a substantial building here, then where can you????

Moncton is going to change. It is going to change radically in the next 50 years or so. People will just have to get used to it.........

I'm all for preserving the character of the old west end. It should remain a SFH neighbourhood, but, some higher density development along the bounding corridors (Main, Vaughan Harvey and St. George Blvd) has to be expected.

[Monctoncore]

1333 Main actually did a shadow study and was included in the PAC meeting.

https://www.moncton.ca/planning-advisory-committee

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is right on the NW corner of Main & Vaughan Harvey however. If you can't build a substantial building here, then where can you????

Moncton is going to change. It is going to change radically in the next 50 years or so. People will just have to get used to it.........

I'm all for preserving the character of the old west end. It should remain a SFH neighbourhood, but, some higher density development along the bounding corridors (Main, Vaughan Harvey and St. George Blvd) has to be expected.

Well said and I agree with all you said above.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

1333 Main actually did a shadow study and was included in the PAC meeting.

https://www.moncton.ca/planning-advisory-committee

Said shadow study showing the impact during different times of the year

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is right on the NW corner of Main & Vaughan Harvey however. If you can't build a substantial building here, then where can you????

Agreed. I'm a bit disappointed that the city is even entertaining this. This is the most prominent intersection downtown. Where else can you build tall if not here?