Development Rumours

[mleblanc]

My god. The levels of tackiness are off the charts on that one.

[Drybrain]

I think out waterfront has been getting steadily more sophisticated in design and aesthetics, and better at balancing local interest and tourist attractions. This is like a big tackly blast from the past. It makes the casino's big faux-lighthouses look subdued by comparison.

I think it is...bad. (Though I DO think the aquarium component, divorced of the weird tragedy-themed hotel, would be cool.)

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I think out waterfront has been getting steadily more sophisticated in design and aesthetics, and better at balancing local interest and tourist attractions. This is like a big tackly blast from the past. It makes the casino's big faux-lighthouses look subdued by comparison.

I think it is...bad. (Though I DO think the aquarium component, divorced of the weird tragedy-themed hotel, would be cool.)

Yeah I like the aquarium part of it as well. The rest is tacky for sure.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Wow! Looks like the location currently occupied by the Waterfront Warehouse.

I don't know what to say - it seems a little bizarre. I'm not sure if an attraction based on a famous shipwreck where many people died is in the greatest of taste, but one can't deny its worldwide enduring fame.

Is this really going to happen?

Did anyone else find the press release strikingly short on specifics - even down to the exact location?

I may be 100% wrong, but to me this proposal has a very strong huckster-hustler aroma. And yes, they absolutely buried the needle on the tacky-ometer.

I'll be very interested to hear whether the promoters are seeking taxpayer cash, and if so, how much. And, more to the point, whether it'll fly at all without our money.

Color me extremely skeptical.

[bluenoser]

The Global article mentions:

Squires said the project is not looking for government money.

“This is private-sector money; this is investment money,” he said.

Right now, the developers are identifying a site for the proposal on or close to the Halifax waterfront area, most likely on the Dartmouth side of the harbour.

I could only tolerate this if not in any sort of prominent location, but it seems like that's what they're threatening.

Also, using the term 'full speed ahead' for the project seems a bit distasteful in itself...

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Saul Goode

Did anyone else find the press release strikingly short on specifics - even down to the exact location?

I may be 100% wrong, but to me this proposal has a very strong huckster-hustler aroma. And yes, they absolutely buried the needle on the tacky-ometer.

I'll be very interested to hear whether the promoters are seeking taxpayer cash, and if so, how much. And, more to the point, whether it'll fly at all without our money.

Color me extremely skeptical.

I didn't want to say it, but it reminds me of some of the wild Chinese investment projects that were discussed here maybe five or six years ago (or more?), but never really turned into anything. IIRC, they tended to be grand in scope, but always seemed a little too far into fantasyland to ever make it into reality.

I too will be surprised if anything comes of it.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I didn't want to say it, but it reminds me of some of the wild Chinese investment projects that were discussed here maybe five or six years ago (or more?), but never really turned into anything. IIRC, they tended to be grand in scope, but always seemed a little too far into fantasyland to ever make it into reality.

I too will be surprised if anything comes of it.

Checking out the developer's website. I too would be surprised.

[Keith P.]

This would fit in nicely with the tacky Disneyfied waterfront on the Halifax side. The only location on the Dartmouth side would appear to be on the Alderney parking lots next to the Sam Austin homeless camp.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

Checking out the developer's website. I too would be surprised.

Yeah, that's what I did too, along with any other affiliated business I could track down. Does not inspire great confidence.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by bluenoser

The Global article mentions:

Squires said the project is not looking for government money.

“This is private-sector money; this is investment money,” he said.

Right now, the developers are identifying a site for the proposal on or close to the Halifax waterfront area, most likely on the Dartmouth side of the harbour.

I could only tolerate this if not in any sort of prominent location, but it seems like that's what they're threatening.

Also, using the term 'full speed ahead' for the project seems a bit distasteful in itself...

Oh, I know they said no government money was involved. I'm just not buying it. I suspect the quotation could as easily have said "Squires said the project is not looking for government money...yet."

[DigitalNinja]

This is 100% vaporware at best and at worst an outright scam. The guy must have went to the media for what he was proposing I don't see how anyone would pick up this story.

His whole UN crypto benefit for Ukraine concert thing is a scam. https://www.undsma.org/copy-of-peace-pitch-program this is also a fraudulent website.

I doubt he has an office where he says he is.

The photo he used for the proposal was one that another company used for a proposal in Niagara.

One of his "associates" sells PPE futures. I couldn't find anything on buying and selling these futures. Another guy "skipped" his masters degree cause he was so smart and right into his PHD meanwhile this CEO guy claims that he was the manager of some hotels?

[kzt79]

Scam.

[Half-Axed]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

A Titanic Experience is being proposed for the Seaport. It will include a restaurant, aquarium, hotel, and apartments all in a building built to represent the Titanic.

Titanic Experience project proposed for Port of Halifax - Saltwire.com (partial paywall)

This belongs in Niagara Falls. There's one sort of like it in Branson Missouri. Trashy.

Don't get me wrong - a dedicated Titanic Museum could be a great draw - just not this tacky design and "experience"

[mleblanc]

Originally Posted by Half-Axed

This belongs in Niagara Falls. There's one sort of like it in Branson Missouri. Trashy.

Don't get me wrong - a dedicated Titanic Museum could be a great draw - just not this tacky design and "experience"

There is a user on LinkedIn claiming they stole his artwork for this development. Funny enough - it was actually supposed to go up in Niagara Falls. You can google the Niagara titanic development and the same picture comes up. This is a total scam - embarrassing the media fell for it.

link for the article from 2017 with the same rendering

[Half-Axed]

Originally Posted by mleblanc

There is a user on LinkedIn claiming they stole his artwork for this development. Funny enough - it was actually supposed to go up in Niagara Falls. You can google the Niagara titanic development and the same picture comes up. This is a total scam - embarrassing the media fell for it.

link for the article from 2017 with the same rendering

Ha! The Coast has an article about the scam too.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by Half-Axed

Ha! The Coast has an article about the scam too.

The Coast article is worth a read. And it confirms my/our suspicions: this is a huckster-hype nothingburger - which is appropriate for something so utterly tasteless.

[Empire]

Halifax should have a museum dedicated to the Titanic. Halifax played an significant role in the recovery and the cemetery for Titanic victims is an import part of our history. The museum should be near Pier 21 and be constructed in complimentary architecture to Pier 21 and the brick sheds attached. The parking lot across from the former Cunard Centre would be a good location. We also need an aquarium and those parking lots may be able to accommodate both. If not, BIO would be an obvious choice where an Aquarium could be a major draw as well as potentially being a research facility.

Ref. google maps - Cunard former parking.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6372...7i16384!8i8192

Ref. google maps - Architecture suggested for Titanic museum
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6380...7i16384!8i8192

[atbw]

Originally Posted by Empire

Halifax should have a museum dedicated to the Titanic. Halifax played an significant role in the recovery and the cemetery for Titanic victims is an import part of our history. The museum should be near Pier 21 and be constructed in complimentary architecture to Pier 21 and the brick sheds attached. The parking lot across from the former Cunard Centre would be a good location. We also need an aquarium and those parking lots may be able to accommodate both. If not, BIO would be an obvious choice where an Aquarium could be a major draw as well as potentially being a research facility.

Ref. google maps - Cunard former parking.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6372...7i16384!8i8192

Ref. google maps - Architecture suggested for Titanic museum
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6380...7i16384!8i8192

BIO is not a spot I had immediately considered for an aquarium, but it does make sense. It would also be a good feature/amenity to draw people out to the Shannon Park neighbourhood once it gets underway.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by atbw

BIO is not a spot I had immediately considered for an aquarium, but it does make sense. It would also be a good feature/amenity to draw people out to the Shannon Park neighbourhood once it gets underway.

Unless something has changed, BIO has long been a research facility. I'm not sure how turning it into a public entertainment attraction would work there.

I think an aquarium would work best on the Halifax waterfront.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by Empire

We also need an aquarium and those parking lots may be able to accommodate both. If not, BIO would be an obvious choice where an Aquarium could be a major draw as well as potentially being a research facility.
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I think BIO is not a good location for an aquarium. It's really only accessible by car and, for the vast majority of its potential users, quite out of the way. The Halifax waterfront is far and away the best location.

And who says BIO would want it there anyway?