[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by daveynb

Needs an underground tunnel to get to NBLC!

Fixed.

[MonctonRad]

A lot of the land available for redevelopment around the Avenir Centre has been gobbled up, and the pace of development in the area is truly impressive.

This must be bringing pressure on Crombie REIT to do something definitive with 1222 Main, and the vacant lot next door (including the Telegraph Building). This will very soon be the last major piece of available property left in the area which could be redeveloped.

This land is immediately next to the Avenir Centre, and is crying for a large mixed use development of some form. I wonder why Crombie hasn't done anything yet? Is it laziness or a lack of imagination???

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

When I say that I don't think this is the final design, that doesn't mean I expect any massive changes in the scale or the form of the building. I could see changes in the cladding, colour or window accents however. We saw that with the Ashford Living building at Highfield and Campbell for instance.

The two storey atrium-like crown of this building I find intriguing. I wonder what could go up there? The T&T article stated it would be "common space", but the square footage would be massive, and while there will no doubt be tenant amenities up there, I wonder if they could put other things up there too, like a public restaurant. It would have a view...........

So you think it could be similar to 55 Queen where the final product had a lot more black in it than the original design. The building was essentially the same but the materials were different, or colours were different etc.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

So you think it could be similar to 55 Queen where the final product had a lot more black in it than the original design. The building was essentially the same but the materials were different, or colours were different etc.

Yes, kinda.

I just find the current rendering to be a little unfinished looking. There is lots of time for the plans to be rejigged.

[MonctonRad]

I was reading a comment on line where the large atrium at the top of the proposal for Main/Vaughan Harvey would be used for two storey penthouse suites (kind of like the idea at the moribund St. Bernard's Square project. I could certainly see this happening.

The commenter had claimed to have been speaking with the developer, but the veracity of this claim is unknown.

[MonctonRad]

I drove by here this afternoon after work, and there was a drilling truck parked on site (presumably for doing soil sampling).

Why do I get the impression this project will be expedited (like the Three Sisters), and that we might see some digging going on even as early as this fall.

[NBNYer]

An early start does seem promising. Here’s a bit more info from an article on acadienouvelle.com. They seem ambitious.

https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualite...-neuf-etages-au-centre-ville-de-moncton/

Loosely translated:
Proposal for a 9 storey building with 147 units, 10% of which are deemed “affordable” according to the developper. It will contain 182 underground parking spots on two levels. The first floor will be retail.

“We want to help make Vaughan Harvey a grand boulevard for the city” said Chad Blakeny, the developer.

The developer also promises a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to national standards via high energy efficient windows, LED lighting and rooftop solar panels.

The development requires elimination of a small green space at the end of Atlantic avenue but the developer says they will include a larger, publically accessible green space elsewhere on the property.

[MonctonRad]

CBC article regarding 1299 Main.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-downtown-land-development-sale-1.6495559

The developers would indeed prefer to begin construction this fall, although this is not carved in stone.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A lot of the land available for redevelopment around the Avenir Centre has been gobbled up, and the pace of development in the area is truly impressive.

This must be bringing pressure on Crombie REIT to do something definitive with 1222 Main, and the vacant lot next door (including the Telegraph Building). This will very soon be the last major piece of available property left in the area which could be redeveloped.

This land is immediately next to the Avenir Centre, and is crying for a large mixed use development of some form. I wonder why Crombie hasn't done anything yet? Is it laziness or a lack of imagination???

I really hope it is bringing pressure on Crombie to do something. The potential of the building & adjacent land is massive.

I think what's happened is that they planned to refurbish 1222 into office space like they did with the old CN building next door. Then the pandemic hit and they (wisely) cancelled their plans. And now the building is in limbo because the market for commercial/office space isn't there anymore.

So the questions are - will they pivot to residential/mixed use? Are they working on something behind the scenes as we speak? And if so what would be their time frame to redevelop the property? Or are they just sitting on it, hoping the commercial market rebounds so they can stick with plan A.

Then there's Aquilini Properties sitting on equally huge potential with the Crown Plaza block!

I just hate to see the tremendous potential of these prime properties going to waste. Especially knowing what Crombie & Aquilini are capable of.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I really hope it is bringing pressure on Crombie to do something. The potential of the building & adjacent land is massive.

I think what's happened is that they planned to refurbish 1222 into office space like they did with the old CN building next door. Then the pandemic hit and they (wisely) cancelled their plans. And now the building is in limbo because the market for commercial/office space isn't there anymore.

So the questions are - will they pivot to residential/mixed use? Are they working on something behind the scenes as we speak? And if so what would be their time frame to redevelop the property? Or are they just sitting on it, hoping the commercial market rebounds so they can stick with plan A.

Then there's Aquilini Properties sitting on equally huge potential with the Crown Plaza block!

I just hate to see the tremendous potential of these prime properties going to waste. Especially knowing what Crombie & Aquilini are capable of.

I’d love to see Crombie combine that project with one for the lot between it and the Avenir Centre. While there may not be a need for office space, a professional centre like the one on Mapleton Road could still be a good use of the space. I think a mix of retail, condos and potentially another element would make that a very attractive site.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I’d love to see Crombie combine that project with one for the lot between it and the Avenir Centre. While there may not be a need for office space, a professional centre like the one on Mapleton Road could still be a good use of the space. I think a mix of retail, condos and potentially another element would make that a very attractive site.

There's just so much potential. Mixed use would make a lot of sense. I think that combining 1222 with the lot beside it was suggested in this thread before, and it certainly would make an impressive addition to the streetscape. I cringe every time I drive by and see that vacant land just sitting there. Plus there's the telegraph building that could be demolished which would open up even more land. And behind that, there's a large under used parking lot.


This whole area could be transformed into something really special. When I look at some of their developments on the Crombie web site, I drool over what they could do for downtown Moncton. But who knows if we're even on their radar.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

This whole area could be transformed into something really special. When I look at some of their developments on the Crombie web site, I drool over what they could do for downtown Moncton. But who knows if we're even on their radar.

The good thing is Crombie is based out of Nova Scotia so they at least know where Moncton is haha.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

The good thing is Crombie is based out of Nova Scotia so they at least know where Moncton is haha.

Indeed, not like another large landowner in the neighbourhood <cough>Aquillini<cough>

Crombie has taken 1222 Main off the market. There is no mention of this property on their website any more. This might mean they have given up on the idea of renovating for more class "A" office space, and may be reassessing their options (residential or hotel conversion for example).

As more residential moves into the downtown west end, there will be a need for more neighbourhood retail, and I think the future for 1222 Main (and the empty lot between this building and the Avenir Centre) is as another mixed use development.

Do a hotel conversion at 1222 Main and build a mixed use 10 storey tower on the empty lot next to the Avenir Centre - including a residential tower and a commercial two level podium, perhaps incorporating the Telegraph Building in behind.

The commercial podium could include neighbourhood retail, second level professional offices and, (my pet wish), a large sports pub facing Main Street with real presence (a lively patio, high quality decorative signage and top quality street interaction).

Can you imagine how popular a destination sports pub in this location (next to the Avenir Centre) could be? Just think of the potential!!!

[jonny golden]

Quote from City of Moncton:

"The City wishes to advise motorists and residents that the Capitol Theater parking lot will be closed as of July 4th. It will be transformed into a one-way street (Seymour Street), between Church and Robinson. This new street should be open in August."

No doubt supporting the Galco building being built on the Robinson Street parking lot.

[MonctonRad]

Here's a diagram showing the new street alignment (from a CBC article regarding PAC approval for the Robinson Residences.

[MonctonRad]

Sounds Fantastic just posted this on their Facebook page:

It's Friday, so what better way to start the weekend with an exciting announcement?

Here at Sounds Fantastic, we pride ourselves on being a mainstay of Moncton’s business community for 43 years. As good as our first 43 years were, we hope our next 43 (at least) are even better.

A big part of our history is our location – the William S. Torrie house that was built in 1861 and located at 48 Bonaccord Street. Our location has treated us wonderfully over the years, and there is a treasure trove of memories inside these walls.

After lengthy internal discussions between ownership and staff, a decision was made that the location that has served us so well in the past may not be the best to serve our needs in the future. It is with this in mind that we have decided to bid a teary farewell to 48 Bonaccord in early 2023, and we are excited to announce Sounds Fantastic will be taking over a new location next year!

We have big plans in the works and the service you have come to know and love from Sounds Fantastic for the last four decades won’t be changing. If anything, this move to a new location will re-energize our brand and help us deliver even greater world-class customer service to our customers – who have become like our family over the years.

If you’re wondering about the future of 48 Bonaccord Street, the great news is that the new owners of the building will be capitalizing on its history and charm and will be relocating an already established business here that will surely become a destination location in downtown Moncton.

Change can be scary, especially when you’ve done something the same way for over 40 years. This change for us is a little scary, but incredibly exciting because we know it’s only going to make Sounds Fantastic bigger and better for the future. We thank you for your support in the past and our present – and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store for the future!

Come on by 48 Bonaccord over the next several months to say goodbye before we say 'hello" to our new store in 2023!

“Change in all things is sweet”

- Aristotle

I'm glad to hear they found a buyer for their existing Bonaccord Street building. The structure has good bones and deserves to be preserved.

As for where Sounds Fantastic will relocate, my spidey senses are tingling over this one. I think they will want to keep a downtown location, and the fact they are planning on moving in 2023 I find intriguing.

My gut is telling me they might move to Tannery Place North after it opens next year. It would be a modern space in a high profile location. They could easily dedicate up to 50% of the ground level of Tannery Place North to house this retail business. A definite win-win.

I have no proof this is where they will be moving but my gut moves in mysterious ways, and I find I am frequently right about these things. You heard it here first!

[jonny golden]

Sounds Fantastic "taking over" a location. Is there a business that's moved that would make a suitable location for Sounds?

[BlackYear]

View from Sobey's parking lot.

[MonctonRad]

I love this!

I wonder if we should create a thread for 1299 Main Street once it is approved. It will be almost entirely residential, and therefore may not generate much chatter, but at nine floors, and given it's prominent location, it still might be worthwhile.

[MonctonRad]

Actual construction of the new K-8 school next to BMHS has begun. Projected opening is fall 2024.


T&T photo