[Saint John] Uptown Thread - Page 137

bingun · #**2721** Posted **Apr 3, 2026, 2:52 PM**

The Landmark site is also up for sale. I am sure it has been before, but I think this listing is recent. The image was uploaded last month based on the file name.

https://www.bbrokers.ca/property/300-sydney-street-saint-john-nb/

bingun · #**2722** Posted **Apr 6, 2026, 1:33 AM**

I saw a post from Lume Fitness Inc. over the weekend, and it sounds like they are going to occupy a unit in Market Square.

I have never heard of them, but I assume it's a small gym/workout space. I will keep an eye out for which unit.

DyAm00394 · #**2723** Posted **Apr 6, 2026, 3:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingun

I saw a post from Lume Fitness Inc. over the weekend, and it sounds like they are going to occupy a unit in Market Square.

I have never heard of them, but I assume it's a small gym/workout space. I will keep an eye out for which unit.

Here’s their website: https://lumefitness.ca/

DyAm00394 · #**2724** Posted **Apr 7, 2026, 5:53 PM**

New tenant for Brunswick Square.

Ramenbox announced on social media that they are opening soon in the former John’s Tobacco and News spot. Will be a self-serve instant ramen café.

Quote:

“A New Chapter Begins… RamenBox Is Coming Soon.

Something new is taking shape inside Brunswick Square Shopping Centre.

After nearly 47 years as a staple in the community, John’s Tobacco and News is being transformed into something completely different.

RamenBox: a self-serve instant ramen café designed for convenience, comfort, and experience.

Here’s a little taste of what’s coming:

- Grab your favourite ramen & drink from our self-serve fridge
- Tap your card, take what you want - and go
- Cook it your way with our Smart Ramen Cookers
- Relax in a cozy dine-in space

No lines. No waiting. Just ramen, your way.

This sneak peek is just the beginning… we’re working behind the scenes to bring everything to life, and we can’t wait to show you more.

Honouring the past. Building something new.

R10-39 King Street, Saint John, NB E2L 4W3

Follow our page for updates! We're opening very soon.

You can learn more at https://www.ramenbox.ca/."

bingun · #**2725** Posted **Apr 7, 2026, 6:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

New tenant for Brunswick Square.

Ramenbox announced on social media that they are opening soon in the former John’s Tobacco and News spot. Will be a self-serve instant ramen café.

Well, that explains why it showed leased last week! They seem to be slowly making progress, but they still need to fill some of those larger vacant units on that level, preferably the old Starbucks or Booster Juice. At least this will get noticed by everyone going to Tim's.

bingun · #**2726** Posted **Apr 8, 2026, 8:21 PM**

The Crepe spot in the city market will open in June. The Bagel Artist also looks close to ready; they have moved some appliances into their spot.

Quote:

SUBJECT: New Lease Bite & Smile City Market

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT FOR OPEN SESSION OF COUNCIL

Staff has reached an agreement with Claudia Jimenez Revilla, dba Bite & Smile Crepes to enter into a new lease in stall 2, as shown in Schedule “A”. This exciting new food stall will focus on sweet and savory crepes and occupy the former Jo’s Samosas space. They are expected to open in June 2026.

gtsoc · #**2727** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 6:34 PM**

I stopped in to the uptown RBC branch and the teller mentioned that they would be consolidating the west and uptown RBC branches and having the new East side branch as the central (and I guess only) location for RBC in the city.

Has anyone heard anything similar? I do recall, a few years ago, there was chatter of RBC moving down to the Mercantile Centre, but that was before the East location went up.

EnvisionSaintJohn · #**2728** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsoc

I stopped in to the uptown RBC branch and the teller mentioned that they would be consolidating the west and uptown RBC branches and having the new East side branch as the central (and I guess only) location for RBC in the city.

Has anyone heard anything similar? I do recall, a few years ago, there was chatter of RBC moving down to the Mercantile Centre, but that was before the East location went up.

One RBC location for the entire city??? That sounds ridiculous.

gtsoc · #**2729** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 10:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

One RBC location for the entire city??? That sounds ridiculous.

I know, right? I just kind of stared blankly at the teller when I was told and had to confirm what they said.

DyAm00394 · #**2730** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 11:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsoc

I stopped in to the uptown RBC branch and the teller mentioned that they would be consolidating the west and uptown RBC branches and having the new East side branch as the central (and I guess only) location for RBC in the city.

Has anyone heard anything similar? I do recall, a few years ago, there was chatter of RBC moving down to the Mercantile Centre, but that was before the East location went up.

A higher up employee with RBC, who lives in Quispamsis, commented on a post about this over on Retail Talk & Share NB. All he said was that this is not true. The post has been taken down over there since an official with RBC came forward.

gtsoc · #**2731** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 12:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

A higher up employee with RBC, who lives in Quispamsis, commented on a post about this over on Retail Talk & Share NB. All he said was that this is not true. The post has been taken down over there since an official with RBC came forward.

Interesting. Seems like the branch manager should have a chat with the tellers!

bingun · #**2732** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 1:30 AM**

71 Sydney is back up for lease. I am completely lost by the situation. Why did they kick Chipman Hill Suites out, only to leave it vacant and advertise it as extended-stay accommodations?

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29509452/71-sydney-street-saint-john

cdnguys · #**2733** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 9:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingun

71 Sydney is back up for lease. I am completely lost by the situation. Why did they kick Chipman Hill Suites out, only to leave it vacant and advertise it as extended-stay accommodations?

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29509452/71-sydney-street-saint-john

Chipman Hill wasn’t kicked out. Their lease ended and they didn’t renew.

bingun · #**2734** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 10:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Chipman Hill wasn’t kicked out. Their lease ended and they didn’t renew.

My understanding is that Irving Oil chose not to renew the lease? At the time, we thought it was so they could use it themselves, but clearly not.

Quote:

Earlier this month, Irving chose not to extend Chipman Hill Suites’ lease after two decades in business at the uptown address. The tenant says the company didn’t give a reason for its decision.

adamuptownsj · #**2735** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 3:28 PM**

My dormant 54-unit (202/208) Waterloo project is alive again. Seriously revised and downscaled, but alive. We're now building 7 stacked townhouses from the pre-approved CMHC Housing Catalogue: 7x 1-bed affordable units, 7x market 3-bed units. Parking for 7 cars on site. Hoping for July shovels in the ground.

The new 'Build Canada Homes' department has like 20 employees nationwide, one email address, and no capacity/desire to work with for-profit builders this year. So the CMHC program we were banking on is dead. Not thrilled to find this out, after two years of work with the feds.

Province has been great under both Higgs and Holt regimes, though. Should have site plans soon.

darkharbour · #**2736** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

My dormant 54-unit (202/208) Waterloo project is alive again. Seriously revised and downscaled, but alive. We're now building 7 stacked townhouses from the pre-approved CMHC Housing Catalogue: 7x 1-bed affordable units, 7x market 3-bed units. Parking for 7 cars on site. Hoping for July shovels in the ground.

The new 'Build Canada Homes' department has like 20 employees nationwide, one email address, and no capacity/desire to work with for-profit builders this year. So the CMHC program we were banking on is dead. Not thrilled to find this out, after two years of work with the feds.

Province has been great under both Higgs and Holt regimes, though. Should have site plans soon.

Still exciting news that you're moving forward and not giving up - can't wait to see the shovels hit the ground!

EnvisionSaintJohn · #**2737** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 11:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

My dormant 54-unit (202/208) Waterloo project is alive again. Seriously revised and downscaled, but alive. We're now building 7 stacked townhouses from the pre-approved CMHC Housing Catalogue: 7x 1-bed affordable units, 7x market 3-bed units. Parking for 7 cars on site. Hoping for July shovels in the ground.

The new 'Build Canada Homes' department has like 20 employees nationwide, one email address, and no capacity/desire to work with for-profit builders this year. So the CMHC program we were banking on is dead. Not thrilled to find this out, after two years of work with the feds.

Province has been great under both Higgs and Holt regimes, though. Should have site plans soon.

Have you tried to bug Wayne Long about this? Considering his protégée is now the Minster of Housing for NB and your local MLA, maybe they can both put some pressure on Build Canada Homes and the federal housing minister to support some more local projects?

While, I think the government should be primarily concerned with funding much larger projects than the one you’ve described, every affordable unit we can get online matters.

I like the look of the townhouses you posted before, would be great to see more infill projects like that going up all over the city… along with along with some much bigger high rise projects that take advantage of Saint John’s world class ocean views.

bingun · #**2738** Posted **Apr 15, 2026, 2:01 AM**

Great pictures of the Steepleview Apartments from David Hickey.

In the first picture, you can see the small development across the street, and in the second, you can see the larger one a little further down.

I really hope the homeless situation improves this year, with these projects, the development from adamuptownsj, and the school redevelopment, things are improving in Waterloo.

bridgeoftea · #**2739** Posted **Apr 15, 2026, 11:37 AM**

The building looks really nice! Excited to see some changes made around the waterloo area.

RaginRonic · #**2740** Posted **Apr 15, 2026, 1:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingun

Great pictures of the Steepleview Apartments from David Hickey.

In the first picture, you can see the small development across the street, and in the second, you can see the larger one a little further down.

I really hope the homeless situation improves this year, with these projects, the development from adamuptownsj, and the school redevelopment, things are improving in Waterloo.

I think those stairs in the front are how the ones for the former CYO were built.

A nod to history, maybe?