[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[teddifax]

Just curious, has anyone ever heard any mention of the luxury hotel component of Nova Centre? I wonder which hotel has been earmarked for this!

[fenwick16]

There was a story in allnovascotia.com, October 11th, 2013 edition "Ramia at Design Review" by Amy Pugsley Fraser that stated that Joe Ramia presented detailed design drawings to City Hall's Design Review Committee on Thursday, Oct 10th.

There will be a public meeting on October 24th at Dalhousie University's Computer Science Building. Hopefully some members of this forum will go and get more detailed information regarding the Nova Centre design.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

There was a story in allnovascotia.com, October 11th, 2013 edition "Ramia at Design Review" by Amy Pugsley Fraser that stated that Joe Ramia presented detailed design drawings to City Hall's Design Review Committee on Thursday, Oct 10th.

There will be a public meeting on October 24th at Dalhousie University's Computer Science Building. Hopefully some members of this forum will go and get more detailed information regarding the Nova Centre design.

Thanks for the update, fenwick!
I'll try to go (but I need to see if I can get time off work).

New renderings should be revealed during this public meeting

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Hali6821

Some recent pictures of the site:

http://imgur.com/a/5pV4T

Expect to see the third crane on site in early November.

That's a pretty amazing excavation. Thanks for the pics!

[halifaxboyns]

This is the package of drawings I found on the design review committee agenda. They don't really seem to be new to me?

This is the landscaping plan.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

This is the package of drawings I found on the design review committee agenda. They don't really seem to be new to me?

This is the landscaping plan.

No that isn't new. It must not be finalized though, since levels L1, L5 and L6 (Exhibition Hall and Ballroom levels) are just blank areas. I was hoping to see the layout of these areas and how much of the space will be column-free (some of these areas will require support columns as can be seen on the other floor plans).

Maybe detailed drawings aren't required by the Design Review Committee. I wonder which departments of government will approve the Exhibition Hall and Ballroom layouts? These areas have a note stating "Pending Approval" (certainly such drawings will be required by the engineering/planning department so that the building permits can be approved).

[sdm]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

No that isn't new. It must not be finalized though, since levels L1, L5 and L6 (Exhibition Hall and Ballroom levels) are just blank areas. I was hoping to see the layout of these areas and how much of the space will be column-free (some of these areas will require support columns as can be seen on the other floor plans).

Maybe detailed drawings aren't required by the Design Review Committee. I wonder which departments of government will approve the Exhibition Hall and Ballroom layouts? These areas have a note stating "Pending Approval" (certainly such drawings will be required by the engineering/planning department so that the building permits can be approved).

Full working drawings are required for review process I am pretty sure.

[ns_kid]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I wonder which departments of government will approve the Exhibition Hall and Ballroom layouts? These areas have a note stating "Pending Approval" (certainly such drawings will be required by the engineering/planning department so that the building permits can be approved).

I believe the plans for the convention centre portion of the project, which is the only part in which there are public (federal/provincial/municipal) contributions, will be subject to the approval of the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Presumably it will be some time after next Tuesday's swearing in of a new cabinet before that will be resolved.

[ns_kid]

Originally Posted by teddifax

Just curious, has anyone ever heard any mention of the luxury hotel component of Nova Centre? I wonder which hotel has been earmarked for this!

The last I heard on this subject, the developer had not announced any brand for the hotel development. Chatter on the street was that he was having trouble interesting a major chain, but Mr. Ramia has been consistently coy about sharing information about negotiations with potential partners and tenants so your guess is as good as mine.

[fenwick16]

There are lots of daily construction pictures by Ziobrop at this link - http://fillingtheholehfx.tumblr.com/. I see that they are spreading the gravel for the concrete floor.

Once the first parking level is complete then the second level should be completed in a fraction of the time (there will be no addition footings or other ground-work). I am looking forward to seeing the Exhibition Hall take shape (3rd level from the ground); then it will be starting to rise above Argyle Street.

[ns_kid]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Once the first parking level is complete then the second level should be completed in a fraction of the time (there will be no addition footings or other ground-work). I am looking forward to seeing the Exhibition Hall take shape (3rd level from the ground); then it will be starting to rise above Argyle Street.

I think we are all looking forward to that moment, though it should be noted that, at this point, the developer only has permission to complete the subgrade portions of Nova Centre, courtesy of an Interim Planning Area Order by the Province. Nothing will rise above Argyle until HRM approves the developer's final design plans.

[Ziobrop]

Originally Posted by ns_kid

I think we are all looking forward to that moment, though it should be noted that, at this point, the developer only has permission to complete the subgrade portions of Nova Centre, courtesy of an Interim Planning Area Order by the Province. Nothing will rise above Argyle until HRM approves the developer's final design plans.

I also dont think the province has signed off on the convention center portion of the project yet.- they have agreed to it, hey just haven't signed the document.

this has implications for HRM, as the current trade center wont be put up for sale untill that happens, and HRM is on the hook to buy it if it doesn't sell by 2016 iirc.

[ns_kid]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

There will be a public meeting on October 24th at Dalhousie University's Computer Science Building. Hopefully some members of this forum will go and get more detailed information regarding the Nova Centre design.

Just bumping up this discussion. Information about Thursday's Nova Centre public meeting, along with details of Argyle Developments' application for amendments to the planning strategy and land use by-law, can be found on the HRM website:

A public information meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Dalhousie University Computer Science Building (CIBC Auditorium - Room 127), 6050 University Avenue, Halifax.

http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case18708Details.html

[RyeJay]

^ I cannot make it to the meeting to get any pictures. I hope someone else can!

[ns_kid]

I was unable to attend last night's public Nova Centre meeting; I was hoping to see some feedback from a forum member who did attend.

Roger Taylor's piece in today's Herald restates what has already been known for some time: the original concept for the structure has been changed considerably, in large part due to the extensive public consultation. Taylor also restates earlier assertions that securing HRM approvals will take up to eight months, which is why the city asked the province to allow subgrade work to proceed by way of interim planning area order.

One commenter on Taylor's piece, a jwchisholm, who claims to have attended last night's session, dismisses what he sees as "three soul-destroying blankly-inhuman mega blocks where nothing will ever happen". Like many critics, including the Coast's Tim Bousquet, he seems to dismiss the results of the public consultation as invalid. Which is consistent with development sceptics generally, who demand public engagement but then dismiss the results of that engagement if it doesn't reflect their own narrow vision.

As to whether Nova Centre will be successful I do not know. I have optimism that this project will succeed. Like chisholm I find it disquieting that Mr. Ramia is still unwilling or unable to identify a single major tenant or hotel brand. Unlike some critics, Pacey, Bousquet and Kimber included, I will not celebrate a failure.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1162752-taylor-nova-centre-deserves-fair-start#disqus_thread

[mcmcclassic]

Originally Posted by ns_kid

I was unable to attend last night's public Nova Centre meeting; I was hoping to see some feedback from a forum member who did attend.

Roger Taylor's piece in today's Herald restates what has already been known for some time: the original concept for the structure has been changed considerably, in large part due to the extensive public consultation. Taylor also restates earlier assertions that securing HRM approvals will take up to eight months, which is why the city asked the province to allow subgrade work to proceed by way of interim planning area order.

One commenter on Taylor's piece, a jwchisholm, who claims to have attended last night's session, dismisses what he sees as "three soul-destroying blankly-inhuman mega blocks where nothing will ever happen". Like many critics, including the Coast's Tim Bousquet, he seems to dismiss the results of the public consultation as invalid. Which is consistent with development sceptics generally, who demand public engagement but then dismiss the results of that engagement if it doesn't reflect their own narrow vision.

As to whether Nova Centre will be successful I do not know. I have optimism that this project will succeed. Like chisholm I find it disquieting that Mr. Ramia is still unwilling or unable to identify a single major tenant or hotel brand. Unlike some critics, Pacey, Bousquet and Kimber included, I will not celebrate a failure.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1162752-taylor-nova-centre-deserves-fair-start#disqus_thread

The jwchisholm you refer to is a man name John Wesley Chisholm - a pretty active voice on city issues and matters. That being said, John seems to have been against the Nova Centre from day 1 (from other comments I've read from him) and this is just one more to get his point across again.

Again there's nothing wrong with having an alternate opinion on a development, but I sometimes feel "jwchisholm" is a bit melodramatic. I too agree though that there is a lot up in the air in regards to the Nova Centre, but I am staying optimistic that good will come out of this project.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by mcmcclassic

The jwchisholm you refer to is a man name John Wesley Chisholm - a pretty active voice on city issues and matters. That being said, John seems to have been against the Nova Centre from day 1 (from other comments I've read from him) and this is just one more to get his point across again.

Again there's nothing wrong with having an alternate opinion on a development, but I sometimes feel "jwchisholm" is a bit melodramatic. I too agree though that there is a lot up in the air in regards to the Nova Centre, but I am staying optimistic that good will come out of this project.

Melodramatic is one word that describes him. He is allegedly a filmmaker so perhaps that has something to do with it. He is a downtown gadfly, an expert on everything in his mind. You are correct in that he has been an opponent of this from the start. His opinions can and should be dismissed.

They need to get on with this. You can consult until the cows come home but at some point it becomes a worthless exercise in self-flagellation. The place just needs to get built.

[resetcbu1]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Melodramatic is one word that describes him. He is allegedly a filmmaker so perhaps that has something to do with it. He is a downtown gadfly, an expert on everything in his mind. You are correct in that he has been an opponent of this from the start. His opinions can and should be dismissed.

They need to get on with this. You can consult until the cows come home but at some point it becomes a worthless exercise in self-flagellation. The place just needs to get built.

I couldn't agree. More, this has been ongoing for so many years that if most if not all opinion have been stated for or against and if you haven't spoke up by this point too bad. Shit or get off the pot!

[someone123]

Is it really significant that they haven't announced a hotel chain given that they still don't have approval to build the hotel?

There's a group of people who will never be happy with the Nova Centre. Their opinions may have been relevant back when the project was first contemplated but if they have nothing new to offer now then it's time to ignore them and move on. The debate over whether or not to build the development is settled.

[teddifax]

Originally Posted by someone123

Is it really significant that they haven't announced a hotel chain given that they still don't have approval to build the hotel?

There's a group of people who will never be happy with the Nova Centre. Their opinions may have been relevant back when the project was first contemplated but if they have nothing new to offer now then it's time to ignore them and move on. The debate over whether or not to build the development is settled.

I have been wondering for some time about the hotel component of this project. No name has ever been mentioned, but Ramia way back when hinted he had been involved in talks with prospective client(s). Maybe, once the final approval is given and construction actually starts, we may find out the chain. It is supposed to be a High-End hotel, so it should be something not even in the overall area of Atlantic Canada, let alone here in Halifax metro.

Oh, and for all the naysayers, I agree, get over it. The project is being built. Let's move on and let this project be!