[Moncton] Infinity | Harper & Main & Bateau | 104m | 30 Storeys | Proposed

[MonctonRad]

Here is the CBC article about the Infinity Tower proposal:

Moncton council considers revised plans for downtown building that could be 30 floors tall
Developer seeking OK to build only a parking garage at structure's rear, not townhomes
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Oct 07, 2025 10:20 AM ADT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-council-building-plans-revised-1.7652465


CBC image showing side-by-side comparison of the original and current proposals

Staff recommended approving the change, and council voted unanimously in favour of a bylaw to amend the City of Moncton Zoning By-Law to allow the revised plan.

The city's planning advisory committee will consider the plans on Oct. 22.

A public hearing has been scheduled for the Nov. 3 city council meeting. That could be followed by second and third reading of the proposed change the same day.

"They would like to to start construction now," Anderson said. "They have been working with the building inspection department just to make sure that everything is in order so that, if approved, they can start as soon as possible."

Hear that boys and girls - they want to start construction NOW!!!

[Leroy321]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Here is the CBC article about the Infinity Tower proposal:

Moncton council considers revised plans for downtown building that could be 30 floors tall
Developer seeking OK to build only a parking garage at structure's rear, not townhomes
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Oct 07, 2025 10:20 AM ADT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-council-building-plans-revised-1.7652465


CBC image showing side-by-side comparison of the original and current proposals





Hear that boys and girls - they want to start construction NOW!!!

Could they start pile driving and site prep now or do they need to wait for the 2nd and 3rd reading on November 3rd?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Could they start pile driving and site prep now or do they need to wait for the 2nd and 3rd reading on November 3rd?

Lafford didn't wait.

[jonny golden]

ICON has really impressed with their build in Riverview. It looks like the first building will be ready by Nov. 1st. - good timing since the work on Whitepine is wrapping up. They're significantly along with the second building, so it's not surprising that they want to start Infinity asap.

[MonctonRad]

A public hearing has been scheduled for the Nov. 3 city council meeting. That could be followed by second and third reading of the proposed change the same day.

I wonder if the Sandpiper Lady will show up at the public meeting with an impassioned plea for the nonexistent Petitcodiac River sandpipers again.

Remember the passionate slogan she crowed out as she was led from council chambers the last time - "Toronto East!!!!!",

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I wonder if the Sandpiper Lady will show up at the public meeting with an impassioned plea for the nonexistent Petitcodiac River sandpipers again.

Remember the passionate slogan she crowed out as she was led from council chambers the last time - "Toronto East!!!!!",

Almost as if that would be a bad thing.. Imagine the economic activity in this city, the business of downtown.. a Subway system the run downtown, to Magnetic Hill, Riverview, Elmwood, Dieppe. Toronto East just doesn’t sound that bad haha.

[jonny golden]

You'd have to think that the Infinity tower will be a catalyst for more development in this part of town.

It's interesting to note that Irving has become more flexible in divesting themselves of excess property. It would be nice to see that large lot next to Infinity get acquired by a worthy developer.

Then there's the RCMP station not too far away - a prime development location.

I also remember the vacant land across the street (next to the Parkhouse Inn) being discussed on the forums sometime back.

This whole neighbourhood could look a lot different some day.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

You'd have to think that the Infinity tower will be a catalyst for more development in this part of town.

It's interesting to note that Irving has become more flexible in divesting themselves of excess property. It would be nice to see that large lot next to Infinity get acquired by a worthy developer.

Then there's the RCMP station not too far away - a prime development location.

I also remember the vacant land across the street (next to the Parkhouse Inn) being discussed on the forums sometime back.

This whole neighbourhood could look a lot different some day.

You are right on this. We had the Avenir Center on one end of downtown that’s acted as a catslyst for that area, now Icon will ideally do the same on the east end and then of course the final will be Ashford right dead center in the middle.

Now we need something between St. George and Main.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

You are right on this. We had the Avenir Center on one end of downtown that’s acted as a catslyst for that area, now Icon will ideally do the same on the east end and then of course the final will be Ashford right dead center in the middle.

Now we need something between St. George and Main.

Even the Lafford development will do the same - we already see it with the Seville building filling in a piece of vacant land.

If the ball fields ever get moved, there'll be a significant opportunity for more development there.

Who knows, maybe even the Heritage Properties parking lot will come into play - a multi-level parking structure to meet current needs, thereby freeing up a large chunk of surface parking available to be developed. (Not holding my breath on this one)

Saint Bernard would have been a very nice connection development, even if Frederick Properties had built their original 12 floor building. But it looks like we're getting another 6 storey box.

[new kid in town]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Now we need something between St. George and Main.

St. Bernard would have been perfect in creating a dense urbanized corridor between the 2 as it sits right in the middle and close enough to other development like 55 Queen. Alas...

[Leroy321]

Not much to see but here is the proposal
https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/pac/PAC/Oct_22_2025/6a_291_Main_Street_Avis_Public_Notice.pdf

[J81]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Almost as if that would be a bad thing.. Imagine the economic activity in this city, the business of downtown.. a Subway system the run downtown, to Magnetic Hill, Riverview, Elmwood, Dieppe. Toronto East just doesn’t sound that bad haha.

If you like Toronto so much go live there. I for one have and i dont care to do it again.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by J81

If you like Toronto so much go live there. I for one have and i dont care to do it again.

Nothing so radical as T-Dot, but, there is no question that downtown Moncton still lacks the overall density and population to sustain a really lively core. We can do better,

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Nothing so radical as T-Dot, but, there is no question that downtown Moncton still lacks the overall density and population to sustain a really lively core. We can do better,

Comparing Moncton to Toronto is kind of a silly exercise, not sure there is anything to really be gained by it. If you are living in Moncton and worried about it turning into Toronto in even the next 30 years you are worried about nothing.

We aren't even anywhere close to the density of a place like Halifax. Filling in football sized parking lots and overgrown grassy areas in the cities core is not turning things into Toronto, its just logical and a much better use of space. It means new businesses, jobs, etc.

I dont see how anyone could find much negative about the long term goals of the next 10 years with places like infinity and a transformational development like the new market and associated developments on downing street. If that type of thing is scary to someone you they easily live in Moncton and entirely avoid the downtown area. Lots of big box stores with large parking lots all over the outskirts of the city. Moncton is literally the definition of sprawl

[jonny golden]

The vacant Lafford lot generated $90,750 in property taxes in 2021 and it's at $1,677,644 for 2025, so it's not hard to see why the city wants these downtown vacant lots developed.

The spin-off from the Avenir center has been very good for the city's finances as well, and the underground infrastructure updates they've been doing downtown will more than pay for themselves over time.

They also did updates on Victoria & Wesley Streets to prepare for the St. Bernard's project, but unfortunately it doesn't look like it's going to be a major development. Since absolutely nothing has happened so far with this project, what are the odds that behind the scenes the developer is trying to resell the property?

Any thoughts?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Since absolutely nothing has happened so far with this project, what are the odds that behind the scenes the developer is trying to resell the property?

Any thoughts?

I think this is a very real probability.

Given the radio silence, and the lack of activity at the site, They may have realized they bit off more than they could chew. They may not be as well capitalized as Lafford or ICON and therefore could be looking at options.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I think this is a very real probability.

Given the radio silence, and the lack of activity at the site, They may have realized they bit off more than they could chew. They may not be as well capitalized as Lafford or ICON and therefore could be looking at options.

I hope you're right. If they were able to proceed, one would think that they would have started by now. The cost of money is considerably lower now than when they acquired the property, and meanwhile they're paying taxes to the tune of $57K a year.

I'm not sure what the prospect pool of potential buyers would look like, but I wonder if the Franklin Yard developers could be a possibility?

[new kid in town]

I agree with lirette. Complaints about Moncton turning into Toronto is a nothingburger. We are not even halfway into becoming Halifax. And I say this as someone who has lived in North York, and, later, Scarborough, for a decade combined.

[Taeolas]

"Toronto East" would mean Moncton would have to be heavily urbanized from Salisbury to Shediac basically, and all the way down to the bay.

Eyeballing Google Maps, Toronto itself is about 40km wide.

Add in the GTA area, and we'd basically need to turn the entire southern half of the province, urbanizing everything in the line from Freddy to Moncton and including everything south of there.

Yeah, we're not going to be like that any century soon.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by lirette

Comparing Moncton to Toronto is kind of a silly exercise, not sure there is anything to really be gained by it. If you are living in Moncton and worried about it turning into Toronto in even the next 30 years you are worried about nothing.

We aren't even anywhere close to the density of a place like Halifax. Filling in football sized parking lots and overgrown grassy areas in the cities core is not turning things into Toronto, its just logical and a much better use of space. It means new businesses, jobs, etc.

I dont see how anyone could find much negative about the long term goals of the next 10 years with places like infinity and a transformational development like the new market and associated developments on downing street. If that type of thing is scary to someone you they easily live in Moncton and entirely avoid the downtown area. Lots of big box stores with large parking lots all over the outskirts of the city. Moncton is literally the definition of sprawl

Exactly, this is 100% correct. I was just making a joke about the lady yelling Toronto East.