[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

It'll be interesting to see where this actually ends up. I have a source close to this as well who is quite adamant that Ashford has no plans or interest in trying to have the tallest building(s) in Moncton.

Personally Ashford strikes me as a company that is more conservative and it would surprise me if they aggressively pursued a 50 floor building.

One thing I do know for sure - plans are progressing at a very slow pace and it may be a few years before shovels are even in the ground.

I also don't think we'll see Ashford construct a 50 floor building. Something in the 25-30 floor range would be my prediction.

As to the order in which they proceed, that remains to be seen. The "skyscraper" building will likely come later on the overall project.

The city infrastructure schedule for the site announced in 2021:

The city's capital budget forecasts spending $7.9 million related to "Ashford's downtown development plan" in 2022. A further $10.2 million is scheduled in 2023, with $8.1 million in 2024 and $5.7 million in 2025.

It would be nice to know if this schedule is still on track, but then again we haven't heard anything to the contrary. So I don't think we'll see shovels in the ground this year, it was always going to be 2026 as the earliest start date. Work on the new east-west street will likely happen first.

Hopefully we'll know more when mayor Arnold's "doozy" is revealed later this month.

Meanwhile, Ashford has been keeping busy adding more residential assets to their portfolio. I really like the Main & Cameron project. What an improvement this will be over the auto business. Residential over commercial is the perfect idea for this prime downtown location.

It's pretty much directly across the street from the embarrassment at 1222 Main Street. I don't know what it would take for Crombie to do something here, but you'd have to think that they're aware of the huge potential just sitting there vacant. They did recently sell their 2 malls (Riverview & Amherst) that they evidently had no plans for. Perhaps they'll do the same with this building!

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Look more closely at the site plan. The parking spaces fronting Cameron Street are actually within the footprint of the building. I had the same concerns as you, but, if you look carefully, you can see the outline of the building.

Very good. Thanks. I see it now! Confusion complete.

[MonctonRad]

Unfortunate fire at the McSweeney Building on the weekend:

https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/two-downtown-fires-under-investigation-mfd (paywall)



Everything looks pretty normal on the outside, but, apparently there is a lot of water damage on the inside.

I hope they can get everything up and running within a few months.

[habs33]

Saw on FB Retail talk group that Euston park is selling their downtown location

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160859521086500&set=a.420486026499

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by habs33

Saw on FB Retail talk group that Euston park is selling their downtown location

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160859521086500&set=a.420486026499

Interesting to know what's going on here. Is this strictly a business decision based on staffing or profitability, or, are they aware of something happening in the future that might affect their business model. This block is right in the high density residential development zone. Also, there might be a plan to relocate the Hal Betts Sports Complex next door. This could have a bearing.

[sailor734]

For those with a TJ subscription....good article about the rise of "arena districts" in Canadian cities. Bistros, galleries, bars, restaurants and condos springing up around new or refurbished arenas that host not only sports but concerts , trade shows etc.

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/can...M0NTI2MC4xMDA3LjEuMTc0MTM0NTQwMy4wLjAuMA..

This was about Hamilton but I thought it was interesting how it seems to apply to what's happening in the area around the Aviner Centre as well.

[MonctonRad]

The redevelopment of the Avenir Centre district has been more successful (so far) than even I expected it would be, and shows no sign of slowing down. The only black mark is the continued vacancy of 1222 Main and the vacant lot between this building and the Avenir Centre.

I would really like to know if there are any long term plans for this sizeable parcel of land. What is the hold-up? Is it (as speculated) because of recalcitrance and greediness on the part of the owners of the old Telegraph Building?

Enquiring minds most definitely want to know........

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The redevelopment of the Avenir Centre district has been more successful (so far) than even I expected it would be, and shows no sign of slowing down. The only black mark is the continued vacancy of 1222 Main and the vacant lot between this building and the Avenir Centre.

I would really like to know if there are any long term plans for this sizeable parcel of land. What is the hold-up? Is it (as speculated) because of recalcitrance and greediness on the part of the owners of the old Telegraph Building?

Enquiring minds most definitely want to know........

It's astonishing that 1222 Main Street simply sits there vacant, and has for years. Meanwhile, Crombie is stuffing itself with other residential developments, both under construction and planned. There's no mention of Moncton on their website as far as any future development plans. Why? Is the return on investment not worth it Crombie's estimation? Considering the land beside and behind the building, there could be a significant development project available to them if they had the appetite for it. The sad thing is that Crombie has the resources and expertise to create something very special here. Frustrating.

[MonctonRad]

There was an "exit interview" with Senator Dawn Arnold this morning on CBC Radio, discussing her time in office as mayor, her accomplishments, and her aspirations for the city. The increasing height and density of the downtown was brought up and she let slip an interesting morsel about Downing Street. She mentioned in passing that there would be 19 storeys of new residential. Allowing for an underlying podium, this probably means a building about 22 storeys tall.

I must admit that I believe this a lot more than I do the rumours of 40-50 storeys.........

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There was an "exit interview" with Senator Dawn Arnold this morning on CBC Radio, discussing her time in office as mayor, her accomplishments, and her aspirations for the city. The increasing height and density of the downtown was brought up and she let slip an interesting morsel about Downing Street. She mentioned in passing that there would be 19 storeys of new residential. Allowing for an underlying podium, this probably means a building about 22 storeys tall.

I must admit that I believe this a lot more than I do the rumours of 40-50 storeys.........

Even still, a 22 storey (with podium) building would instantly become the tallest building downtown by a couple of storeys, it would do wonders for the skyline to no longer have assumption building dwarfing everything else.

[tw31]

Originally Posted by lirette

Even still, a 22 storey (with podium) building would instantly become the tallest building downtown by a couple of storeys, it would do wonders for the skyline to no longer have assumption building dwarfing everything else.

Hard to say, commercial buildings by default generally have higher ceilings as oppose to residential. Even at 20 stories, Assumption may still be taller.

Looking forward to seeing some diagrams.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Who’s to say this is the tallest building thsy ashford plans to build. I would assume it would be but they very well could build several tall buildings on the downtown land they own.

[Philbilly]

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.

Moving quickly on this project, the foundations is already being poured.

[abbyy1996]

Which project are you talking about ?

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by abbyy1996

Which project are you talking about ?

I assume Waterloo.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nashe

I assume Waterloo.

Yes, Waterloo, not far from the Three Sisters. A new six storey apartment building

[jonny golden]

Just looking at the Seville Group website, they own a lot of apartment buildings in greater Moncton. Their newest buildings on Weldon St. and on Morton Ave. are 6 floors each, as is this one on Waterloo St.

It makes me wonder if they'll break through the 6 storey barrier on future projects? It'd be great to see them join the group of developers who construct (or plan to) higher buildings. I guess the market will dictate that. In the mean time they have this project to keep them busy.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Just looking at the Seville Group website, they own a lot of apartment buildings in greater Moncton. Their newest buildings on Weldon St. and on Morton Ave. are 6 floors each, as is this one on Waterloo St.

It makes me wonder if they'll break through the 6 storey barrier on future projects? It'd be great to see them join the group of developers who construct (or plan to) higher buildings. I guess the market will dictate that. In the mean time they have this project to keep them busy.

I wish also they would go a little less suburban with their downtown builds. I just find the exterior finished just don’t scream a downtown to me. The added density is amazing, just would like to see something more like the “Arbutus House” in Tacoma, Washington, it’s 8 floors, but even this style at say 6 would look really nice downtown.

[tmacdougall]

I completely agree.

Another example is the Tomato building—it looks terrible, and its design will feel outdated in no time.

It’s disappointing that the city doesn’t enforce architectural controls or design guidelines, especially in the downtown core.

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

I wish also they would go a little less suburban with their downtown builds. I just find the exterior finished just don’t scream a downtown to me. The added density is amazing, just would like to see something more like the “Arbutus House” in Tacoma, Washington, it’s 8 floors, but even this style at say 6 would look really nice downtown.

[jonny golden]

Re-posting this downtown drone video concerning the tomato building.

One thing that I noticed is the Junction development. There doesn't look like there's much land between the Tannery Place building and Main Street.

https://propicsta-measuremyspace.aryeo.com/videos/01927607-e282-71a1-93da-282bdc5ba9c3