[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonPerson

Here's a quick overview of the major landowners. I didn't include some of the smaller lots, particularly along Main, to save time and I would have needed many more colours. These property lines don't reflect the city's sale of land to Lafford near the ball parks since the maps haven't been updated yet.

Orange: Heritage (or associated companies)
Red: Ashford (or associated companies)
Brown: J.N. Lafford Realty Inc.
Blue: Government or NB Power
Pink: Seville Property Group
Green: Maritime Door & Window
Yellow: Moncton Law Courts GP Ltd.
Purple: Resolute Living Inc. (same owners as the "Tomato Building")

I wonder if Mr. Carpenter has ever received offers for any of his downtown property? He owns vacant land that would be prime for development. It doesn't appear that he has the intention or desire to build anything.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I wonder if Mr. Carpenter has ever received offers for any of his downtown property? He owns vacant land that would be prime for development. It doesn't appear that he has the intention or desire to build anything.

I reached out about the warehouse building at 105 Albert a couple times. No response by phone, email, or letter.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I reached out about the warehouse building at 105 Albert a couple times. No response by phone, email, or letter.

Yes, I remember that actually. That property would be even more attractive now with all the development happening in the neighbourhood. Maybe you should take another crack at it.

Did you have an idea what you wanted to do with it?

[Monctoncore]

Could it be that Mr. Carpenter could be the true NIMBY and is using money to stop developments from happening. What better way to stop things than by buying up land and never doing anything to it.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Yes, I remember that actually. That property would be even more attractive now with all the development happening in the neighbourhood. Maybe you should take another crack at it.

Did you have an idea what you wanted to do with it?

Not at all! It's just a cool structure.

I'd want to fix the roof/trim, repoint the brick, install windows (big ones on the north and south sides, plus in the clerestory), put big entry doors on the east facade, then gut the interior. At that point I'd cast around for a tenant or buyer.

It would make great AAA office space, restaurant/brewery, or a showroom.

I'd probably want a chunk of vacant land adjacent to the building to the west of it for a future attachment (or loading/patio/etc space depending on the tenant).

[Riberview]

Heritage Properties is using that building for storage and/or support of some of their other properties.

The last time I was in it, it was mostly empty. I do recall there being heavy timber beams (read: very old. ) and evidence of a fire some time ago.

It would be nice to see this building repurposed into anything, even if only to take it out of Carpenter's hands.

As long as they own it, good luck.

[MonctonRad]

Dandelion Cafe is opening soon in the Crowne Plaza block, next to Fahda's

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

New apartment building proposal for 30 Waterloo Street. This building will be six stories tall, and will be in the immediate neighbourhood of the Three Sisters and the Gateway Towers. The densification and gentrification of this neighbourhood continues to rapidly progress!



Locator map:


Site plan:


Rendering:


When all the dust settles, this will make six substantial apartment buildings in a small three block area. There should also be a seventh apartment building across the street from this one, assuming that Lafford has substantial plans for the old Tim Horton's property on Albert Street. This whole neighbourhood used to be "on the other side of the tracks" (both literally and figuratively). Things seem to be changing.

UPDATE - There are excavators on site. It appears that site prep is already starting. I am very, very surprised by this.

[Mud]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

UPDATE - There are excavators on site. It appears that site prep is already starting. I am very, very surprised by this.

If I'm not mistaken and this is Seville then it's actually par for the course. If you look back at their other projects it's always a pretty quick process from proposal to build.

[Monctoncore]

It’s too bad they didn’t have a few commercial spots in the main floor. I understand, but it would have been nice, create a very trendy neighborhood.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Mud

If I'm not mistaken and this is Seville than it's actually par for the course. If you look back at their other projects it's always a pretty quick process from proposal to build.

It is Seville, yes.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Dandelion Cafe is opening soon in the Crowne Plaza block, next to Fahda's

It appears that the Dandelion Cafe is now open.



Also, a new barbershop is moving into the Crowne Plaza block as well. Signage for this business is already up. AB Barbershop.

The commercial podium of the Crowne Plaza now seems full, or nearly full. Other tenants include Fahda's Pita Wrap and the Baton Rouge restaurant.

Next up will be refreshing and recladding the Crowne Plaza tower. This may occur later this year.

[MonctonRad]

A new Infinity Aerials drone shot showing the site prep going on for the new six storey apartment building by Seville Properties on Waterloo Street, and it's relationship to the Three Sisters project, and to the Gateway Towers development also in the site prep stage on Assumption Blvd.



Talk about transformational change in a single Moncton neighbourhood!

Seville is big enough for a tower crane. Some people here have speculated that Lafford might put up a tower crane for the Gateway Towers before they are finished with the tower crane for the Third Sister. I somwhat doubt this, but, if this were true, then there would be three tower cranes in this one small area. Who would ever have thought this ever possible.

[Leroy321]

Craneco Atlantic has an available tower crane that they used on the tomato building this or a mini tower crane will most likely be used.

[ChampduLarge]

Something about that photo makes me feel like, "wow, that's the town I live in". I like it a lot. If I were sharing with friends, though, I would carefully crop the parking lot to the left of the photo.

[mylesmalley]

I never would have guessed Foundry Street, of all places, would be the focal point of downtown rejuvenation.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by ChampduLarge

Something about that photo makes me feel like, "wow, that's the town I live in". I like it a lot. If I were sharing with friends, though, I would carefully crop the parking lot to the left of the photo.

That parking lot was one of the first things I noticed when the photo was posted last night. I immediately felt like replying about it, but refrained since I've railed about it several times before.

If Mr. Lafford ever sees this thread, I hope he'll consider all the feedback given about the potential for this prime piece of real estate! Especially given the proximity to his current developments.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I never would have guessed Foundry Street, of all places, would be the focal point of downtown rejuvenation.

It's all because of the Avenir Centre.

I don't care what the naysayers say, the Avenir Centre saved the downtown core. The Avenir Centre is the entertainment hub of the city. People want to live close to it. Visitors want to stay in hotel rooms close to it. How many hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent or planned for nearby developments since it was built.

George LeBlanc and Ian Fowler were visionaries who started this whole thing going. Dawn Arnold saw it through to completion.

[Mud]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It's all because of the Avenir Centre.

I don't care what the naysayers say, the Avenir Centre saved the downtown core. The Avenir Centre is the entertainment hub of the city. People want to live close to it. Visitors want to stay in hotel rooms close to it. How many hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent or planned for nearby developments since it was built.

George LeBlanc and Ian Fowler were visionaries who started this whole thing going. Dawn Arnold saw it through to completion.

I was thinking about this the other day as I was walking around the area. I couldn't come up with a single new apartment, restaurant, hotel or notable revitalization of an existing building downtown that isn't within a 10-minute walk of the Avenir Centre.

The western portion of the downtown core has been a hive of activity since it's opening while east of Lutz has not had a single project break ground since 55 Queen. I don't know how people can still complain about the Avenir Centre as being some sort of boondogle (and trust me they still do).

[Taeolas]

Makes me really sad that Fredericton's leadership doesn't see a similar vision for Fredericton. We have (had) two excellent spots adjacent to downtown for an Avenir Centre style development that could in turn have helped further densify the core... and we've thrown them away. The Ex grounds (the better site admittedly) is still somewhat on the table, but isn't likely to be developed that way.