[Dartmouth] The Post (53 Queen) | 90 m | 26 fl | U/C

[JET]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

That's pretty cool. Probably the first time the clock faces have seen the light of day since before most of us here were born.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ject-1.7195707

Some drawings of how they will look.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ject-1.7195707

Some drawings of how they will look.

Thanks!

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ject-1.7195707

Some drawings of how they will look.

I think there’s some confusion with the rendering in the article above. The section next to the original building looks like the old addition, but after another look it appears to be a recreated facade that somewhat imitates it.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

That's pretty cool. Probably the first time the clock faces have seen the light of day since before most of us here were born.

I think you're right. I definitely don't remember them in my lifetime.

[Keith P.]

Do they have clock workings behind them? Would nice to have them actually function.

I guess they must have been stored in the basement for decades.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Do they have clock workings behind them? Would nice to have them actually function.

I guess they must have been stored in the basement for decades.

From the article or on the cbc it was mentioned that the clocks will function.

[Empire]

You can see one of the clocks in this CBC article.

From CBC
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ject-1.7195707

[JET]

Originally Posted by Empire

You can see one of the clocks in this CBC article.

From CBC
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ject-1.7195707

per post #49

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Do they have clock workings behind them? Would nice to have them actually function.

I guess they must have been stored in the basement for decades.

The article says that the clocks will be brought back to working condition, but doesn’t say how. I would imagine that they will be driven by modern “guts” behind the original faces. My only reservation was is that they could be susceptible to vandalism, which would be a shame as they would be irreplaceable.

I read somewhere, maybe on this forum, that the clock faces were stored by the city all these years, and I have a vague memory of one of them being in the old Dartmouth museum for many years.

[JET]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

The article says that the clocks will be brought back to working condition, but doesn’t say how. I would imagine that they will be driven by modern “guts” behind the original faces. My only reservation was is that they could be susceptible to vandalism, which would be a shame as they would be irreplaceable.

I read somewhere, maybe on this forum, that the clock faces were stored by the city all these years, and I have a vague memory of one of them being in the old Dartmouth museum for many years.

I wonder how hard it would be to put a faux tower back on where the old clock tower was?

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

I wonder how hard it would be to put a faux tower back on where the old clock tower was?

That’s a good question. IIRC, the original tower was removed because the weight of it was causing issues with the building structure below.

Perhaps if they could replicate it using lighter materials (i.e. steel frame structure with thin stone cladding on the outside, or something like that), combined with some bracing of the building structure, it could be OK structurally, but it would probably be difficult/expensive to pull off and have it look right.

That said, I don’t know how the original tower was constructed, or if this would even be a viable solution, but I agree that it would look great, and perhaps provide some visual balance to the huge tower going up at the other end.

[JET]

From the renderings it looked like they were keeping the newer existing addition to the west of the old post office, but it is gone, all that remains is the exterior of the old post office. They have done a nice job cleaning the exterior

[spaustin]

They've actually saved and catalogued all the stones from the annex and the new townhouse section that is replacing it will reuse them. Kind of Granville Mall with a new building behind but old facade put back. The main Post Office building is of course being kept. I think this is going to be a project that wins awards.

[JET]

New windows are in the old post office.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by spaustin

They've actually saved and catalogued all the stones from the annex and the new townhouse section that is replacing it will reuse them. Kind of Granville Mall with a new building behind but old facade put back. The main Post Office building is of course being kept. I think this is going to be a project that wins awards.

Great to see, and speaking of awards it would be nice to see HRM implement a Design Award system. Queen’s Marque, Press Block, Elmwood, Granville Mall and the Post (53 Queen) are all excellent examples of developments that would qualify. Maybe a start up tax break for one or two years would encourage developers to preserve our built heritage, bring back some lost architecture and build quality new developments.

The Cogswell District holds an immense opportunity to bring back some lost architecture such as the flatiron building (The Pentagon). I think all of the building designs in this district should have strong encouragement / legislation to either incorporate historic elements or demonstrate exceptional design initiatives. A mix of historic design and modern towers that combine art deco with modern elements would bring the recognition to this area that it deserves after being demolished 50+ years ago.

Edit: I would also include 'The Press Block' for special recognition. Also, perhaps there could be a design competition for a couple of premiere lots at Cogswell for the right to develop.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Empire

Great to see, and speaking of awards it would be nice to see HRM implement a Design Award system. Queen’s Marque, Press Block, Elmwood, Granville Mall and the Post (53 Queen) are all excellent examples of developments that would qualify. Maybe a start up tax break for one or two years would encourage developers to preserve our built heritage, bring back some lost architecture and build quality new developments.

The Cogswell District holds an immense opportunity to bring back some lost architecture such as the flatiron building (The Pentagon). I think all of the building designs in this district should have strong encouragement / legislation to either incorporate historic elements or demonstrate exceptional design initiatives. A mix of historic design and modern towers that combine art deco with modern elements would bring the recognition to this area that it deserves after being demolished 50+ years ago.

I like that idea.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by spaustin

They've actually saved and catalogued all the stones from the annex and the new townhouse section that is replacing it will reuse them. Kind of Granville Mall with a new building behind but old facade put back. The main Post Office building is of course being kept. I think this is going to be a project that wins awards.

Thanks for the info, Sam. That explains what we were seeing in the rendering.

Any idea what kind of commercial will be the target for the old Post Office building? Will it be retail? Office space? A combination?

I agree that this should win awards, this is one of my favourite developments in HRM at the moment... perhaps my #1, actually.

[IanWatson]

HRM does have an Urban Design Award: https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax...gn-awards-2023

Queens Marque won last year in the landscape architecture category, and The George won for architect.

There’s no monetary/tax incentive though.

[Keith P.]

It’s a prestigious award!

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

It’s a prestigious award!

Thank you for making me laugh out loud in the office.