[Halifax] Ralston Building (1551 Hollis) | 66 M | 3x21 FL | U/C

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by someone123

Counting up from Lower Water it looks like 22 or 23 depending on if you consider that rooftop level a floor. It might be about the height of a 25 storey building with minimal ceiling heights and a flat roof.

The Citadel-based height limit scheme guarantees a tabletop-like downtown skyline and it will get worse as they constrain the built "volume" downtown more and more. The nature of the ramparts requires lower heights closer to the Citadel which also happens to be farther up the hill, exactly wrong for building views and skyline interest.

Yeah, I understand the "whys" - I just don't like them. But the chances of even slightly modifying the viewplanes (conceived 50+ years ago, in a very, very different time in the life of the city) seem to be nonexistent, especially in a city where bullhorn-wielding zealots protest the development of semi-suburban parking lots and scrublands.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The building permit has been submitted for this site;

1557 HOLLIS ST, HALIFAX - $99'821'132.85 - Mixed Use - Residential & Other Use(s) - Residential Use - 462 Units - 21 Storeys - New Construction 3 buildings on one Podium 4 levels of Parking

Add in the Skye permit a few weeks ago and it appears both Hollis Street holes could be developed later this year!

"Three buildings on one podium"
That's interesting. Would love to see an updated rendering.

[IanWatson]

The height on this site is 66 metres from average grade. In this case it's not a ramparts thing - I believe ramparts gets you up around 90 metres in this part of downtown (whatever the tallest Skye proposal was). The 66 metres was HRMxDesign and I have no idea what the rationale was.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

The 66 metres was HRMxDesign and I have no idea what the rationale was.

Why do I keep getting the feeling that HRMxDesign needs an overhaul before it's too late?

someone123 posted some google earth images in another thread showing how DT Halifax has filled out over some previous time period. On one hand it's great to see formerly empty lots being developed. On the other hand it seems like a missed opportunity when there could have been nicer, taller, more interesting buildings with a resultant higher population density downtown if it weren't for ramparts viewplanes and HRMxDesign. Those buildings are now built out and that's all we'll have on those sites for a minimum of 50 years.

Perhaps it's just a glass half empty/half full thing, but frankly I'm tired of arbitrary rules limiting development in prime locations just because of the apparent short-sightedness of HRM planners/politicians.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

The 66 metres was HRMxDesign and I have no idea what the rationale was.

The rationale was mostly Andy Fillmore needing to appease the Heritage Trust and various other anti-height lobby groups in order to get the thing to Council and passed with very little debate. He was a politician long before he became a politician.

I agree with Mark that it needs a revisit ASAP.

[AnotherNorthender]

There is an excavator on site and it looks like they're starting the earth work!

[Musicman Halifax]

Unfortunately today I heard that it will be 3x15 stories not 21. Disappointing to say the least.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

1557 HOLLIS ST, HALIFAX - $99'821'132.85 - Mixed Use - Residential & Other Use(s) - Residential Use - 462 Units - 21 Storeys - New Construction 3 buildings on one Podium 4 levels of Parking

Building permit has been issued. Same details as posted back in April.

[mleblanc]

Still no renderings?

[Keith P.]

Gotta protect that tabletop skyline!

[worldlyhaligonian]

A rendering will surely pop up soon?

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

There were a number of large earth-moving machines on this site yesterday but no obvious digging yet. Across the street at the Sky site I see the Hollis Hotel parking lot is still in use. It could become quite interesting to navigate Hollis St. once both sites are underway.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

There were a number of large earth-moving machines on this site yesterday but no obvious digging yet. Across the street at the Sky site I see the Hollis Hotel parking lot is still in use. It could become quite interesting to navigate Hollis St. once both sites are underway.

They've provided a narrow walkway between jersey barriers on the east/water side of Hollis. Looks like they'll install a mid-block crosswalk from that to MetroPark.

The more likely answer for what will actually be used is the Hollis Street bike lane is going to become a shared path for a couple of years.

[Jethro Bodine]

I’m surprised we haven’t seen a pic of the latest design. They’re working feverishly on the site as I write this. What’s the hold up?

J

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Jethro Bodine

I’m surprised we haven’t seen a pic of the latest design. They’re working feverishly on the site as I write this. What’s the hold up?

J

I think if it's already approved, there's not much impetus for the developer to pay to have renderings created *just* to keep the public in the loop. When it comes to the point they'll be trying to sell/lease space, we'll probably see images released.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

I think if it's already approved, there's not much impetus for the developer to pay to have renderings created *just* to keep the public in the loop. When it comes to the point they'll be trying to sell/lease space, we'll probably see images released.

One of the drawbacks of as-of-right development

[Dmajackson]

HalifaxDevelopments.ca (Photo by David Jackson)

[miniborder]

https://imgur.com/a/LG5qyH5