Canadian City Proposals II

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

And the fact is, regardless of seasonality, central Halifax has lots of pedestrian and transit activity.

I don't have statistics but I'd guess cars only make up a small percentage of trips in the older parts of the city, and it's likely to shrink. Many of the new buildings have few parking spaces (some have none) and there obviously just isn't capacity for a lot of cars in some areas.

That being said, I agree that a fully-pedestrianized street is likely to feel empty and there's probably a benefit to letting in some vehicles. Like Drybrain says, it can be adjusted. Argyle seems pretty successful and I don't think it would be better if it were switched to 100% pedestrian.

I think in general there's just not enough stuff around the Citadel and having vague wide paved spaces fits that pattern. If you look at the Sackville St side there are high-end highrises with structured parking and the city is doing a pretty good job of packing in uses but then the Citadel itself has surface lots and grassy areas with basic finishes (metal guardrails, lumber steps, asphalt paths, etc.). It's like the Citadel is managed as if it's in a rural or wilderness area.

[Nouvellecosse]

It's true that there's probably not enough stuff around the citadel now, but this proposal is fairly large and represents a significant increase in density. Plus, they're eliminating some public space in the form of the little triangular park shown in the bottom left of the 2nd image so some of the people who use that now will likely be compelled to use the side of the Citadel. And if none of the new buildings will have automobile/loading access from the Rainnie Dr side then it isn't clear to me what benefit car access actually provides. Unlike Argyle which is lined with buildings on both side, there's no other buildings on it other than this proposal. The route down to Duke is already served by the extension of Gottingen and therefore doesn't have much vehicular traffic now, so I question the purpose.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by someone123

Argyle seems pretty successful and I don't think it would be better if it were switched to 100% pedestrian.

The funny thing about Argyle is that you will sometimes hear uber-urbanists talk about it like it's a failure, or that the city is too cowardly or lacking in vision to create a true pedestrian-only street. You can definitely levy the "timid half measures" criticism at City Hall on a number of things, but the reality is Argyle's current configuration is actually quite effective.

Originally Posted by someone123

I think in general there's just not enough stuff around the Citadel and having vague wide paved spaces fits that pattern. If you look at the Sackville St side there are high-end highrises with structured parking and the city is doing a pretty good job of packing in uses but then the Citadel itself has surface lots and grassy areas with basic finishes (metal guardrails, lumber steps, asphalt paths, etc.). It's like the Citadel is managed as if it's in a rural or wilderness area.

Yes, very much this. Will this change? It probably will, as time goes by. Is its current state sufficient to support a lot of pedestrian activity on this plaza-like stretch? Probably not.

[hipster duck]

I don't know Halifax too well so I'm armchair commenting, but Rainnie Dr. - the street that's slated to be pedestrianize - looks like it's very peripheral in nature. Based on apperances, it looks like it mostly serves as a slip lane for the occasional eastbound driver who wants to avoid the Cogswell-Gottingen intersection and free on-street parking for people who want to visit nearby things. Losing it doesn't sound like it will affect traffic patterns much.

The street looks really forlorn. The hydro poles obstructing the view of the Citadel are really unfortunate. That proposal - even if we don't have any idea of the architectural details from that massing diagram - will be a huge upgrade in any case.

[Pellimo]

Two new projects in the Quebec City area.

In Lévis

Le Rinfret, two 21-storey towers of 175 units each, for a total of 350 units, plus another potential 15-storey tower of 125 units.





The tallest tower crane



In Quebec City, in the Les Saules sector

Rivièra, 12 storeys for 310 units

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I don't know Halifax too well so I'm armchair commenting, but Rainnie Dr. - the street that's slated to be pedestrianize - looks like it's very peripheral in nature. Based on apperances, it looks like it mostly serves as a slip lane for the occasional eastbound driver who wants to avoid the Cogswell-Gottingen intersection and free on-street parking for people who want to visit nearby things. Losing it doesn't sound like it will affect traffic patterns much.

That's pretty much correct. It will infrequently see heavy traffic when there's some kind of big event happening downtown and a whole lot of people trying to cram in all at once (an event at the Scotiabank Centre, or a parade, or something) but it's a very minor street, in general.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

The funny thing about Argyle is that you will sometimes hear uber-urbanists talk about it like it's a failure, or that the city is too cowardly or lacking in vision to create a true pedestrian-only street. You can definitely levy the "timid half measures" criticism at City Hall on a number of things, but the reality is Argyle's current configuration is actually quite effective.

It seems nice. As in.. maybe one of the most successful areas like this in the country? And urbanism-wise likely not matched in most North American cities. It nails the modern planning and execution aspect in the public realm but then that is backed up by actual vibrancy and there's a mix of both historic (back to 1700's) buildings and ambitious modern architecture.

De-facto pedestrian only here during nightlife times

Source

Mixed during the day. Having some cars parked here and letting vehicles drive up to drop people off or do deliveries is fine. The important thing is there isn't aggressive traffic (due to the narrowness dropping to 1 lane, but also because this street comes to a T at both ends).

https://fathomstudio.ca/our-work/arg...-shared-street

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

That's pretty much correct. It will infrequently see heavy traffic when there's some kind of big event happening downtown and a whole lot of people trying to cram in all at once (an event at the Scotiabank Centre, or a parade, or something) but it's a very minor street, in general.

One concept in traffic planning is sometimes you can make traffic worse by adding more streets and complicated intersections and I bet Rainnie Dr belongs to this category. Essentially a non-entity for traffic planning, perhaps a net negative to throughput, provides some surface parking.

The "drive" is hint to when it was created in the postwar era. The Citadel lands used to be squared off here to Brunswick as on the other side, with barracks occupying the northeastern end. There was no city street separating the barracks from the Citadel. Brunswick was the end of the town plots in the 1750's and the town wall was above that running up the hill.

[cranes]

101 Glasgow St. Kitchener Concept
https://renx.ca/prime-redevelopment-...town-kitchener
Prime redevelopment site for sale in downtown Kitchener
Dominion Tire Factory property comprises 14.5 acres of high-density intensification potential
Apr. 3 2025

AirBoss of America Corp. is selling a prime 14.5-acre industrial site in downtown Kitchener, Ont. that offers significant redevelopment potential through high-density intensification.
The property at 101 Glasgow St., commonly known as the Dominion Tire Factory site, is being marketed by TD Cornerstone Commercial Realty Inc. and went onto the market on March 25.
“AirBoss of America has been a longstanding employer in the region since it acquired this property in 1996 and is looking to sell the site in order to redeploy proceeds into constructing a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility,” AirBoss president and co-chief executive officer Chris Bitsakakis said in a written statement provided to RENX.
...
The site is one of the largest urban infill opportunities to come to market in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, which is along the Hwy. 401 corridor just west of the Greater Toronto Area. The property offers prospective purchasers the opportunity to create a residential-focused mixed-use community in a city desperately in need of more housing.
It’s forecasted that the site could accommodate five highrise towers, more than 2,800 residential units, a gross floor area of more than 3.5 million square feet and parkland.
...
The site includes several structures and has a heritage that began in 1914 when its four-storey central red brick building was constructed for the Dominion Tire Company.
It was designed by Albert Kahn, who designed almost 900 buildings in Detroit, Mich. and was also the original architect of the Kaufman Rubber Factory which is now the converted Kaufman Lofts condominium on King Street West in Kitchener.
The building has large windows and lends itself well for both loft-style residential conversion and commercial space akin to the nearby The Tannery, another reclaimed factory redevelopment...

A conceptual drawing of a multi-tower redevelopment at 101 Glasgow St., in Kitchener where a 14.5-acre industrial property is for sale. (Courtesy TD Cornerstone)


Rendering shows existing buildings, and proposed redevelopment for the Kitchener site. (Courtesy TD Cornerstone)



Another height increase?
200 Victoria Kitchener
https://www.instagram.com/arcadisglo...en&img_index=1
@arcadisglobal 2025-04-22

We’re reimagining the #Kitchener skyline with 200 Victoria—a 49-storey mixed-use tower set to be one of the tallest in the city.
With 700+ homes, street-level shops, and standout spaces like a sky garden and plaza, it’s designed for connection and community.
#ArcadisDesign #UrbanDesign #Architecture

8 Schofield St. Cambridge
https://www.therecord.com/news/water...743a43277.html
Proposed apartments on ‘dangerous’ hill draw concern at Cambridge meeting
Coun. Mike Devine said trying to fit this project on that lot was like stuffing “eight pounds in a five-pound bag.”
June 6, 2025

Cambridge council has told a developer to rethink its plans for a five-storey apartment building on a small, steep lot in Hespeler.
In a public meeting on Tuesday, councillors and community members said the proposed 86-unit building at 8 Schofield St. was too dense for the area, lacked sufficient parking and didn’t fit the neighbourhood.
“We’re wedging something far too big into far, far too small a space,” said Coun. Adam Cooper. “I cannot support this the way it is.”
The developer asked council to approve an official plan and zoning bylaw amendment to allow more height, reduced setbacks, less amenity space and lower parking standards than usually allowed...

A five-storey, 86-unit apartment building, proposed on a steep hill in Hespeler, was sent back to the drawing board by Cambridge council. GSP Group



32, 36 and 38 Grand Ave. S. Cambridge
https://www.therecord.com/news/water...285c2ab7c.html
28-storey tower proposed in Galt near Gaslight District
The City of Cambridge is seeking public input and will host a public meeting on July 15.
June 10, 2025

A 28-storey highrise could soon change the skyline of downtown Galt.
Grand Ave. Developments has submitted a proposal to the City of Cambridge to build a mixed-use tower at 32, 36 and 38 Grand Ave. S. The site is located between Hood and St. Andrews streets, on the west side of the Grand River, a block from the Gaslight District and Hamilton Family Theatre.
The proposed development includes a six-storey podium, with shops and commercial space on the ground floor, topped by a 22-storey residential tower. If approved, it would become the second-tallest building in Cambridge, standing at 88 metres high — taller than the nearby 15-storey Gaslight Condos and just shy of the city’s tallest planned developments.
The building would include 328 residential units — 274 bachelor or one-bedroom units and 54 two-bedroom units. The developer is also proposing 454 square metres of commercial space facing Grand Avenue South, with the residential lobby and other building services located off Hood Street...

A 28-storey mixed-use tower has been proposed at 32, 36 and 38 Grand Ave. S., in Galt. Patterson Planning Consultants

[Wpg_Guy]

Some Winnipeg infill

Marion Mixed-Use Development
Location: 366 Marion St.
Developers: Paskwayak Development Corporation | Freedhome Developments Ltd.
Architect: Number TEN Architectural Group
Status: U/C
Documents: Variance – DAV 108685/2024D – April 5, 2024
Media: Six-storey housing complex in works for Marion Street–Winnipeg Free Press
Description: Project Marion will be a 127-unit apartment building, including 52 affordable units, with priority given to members of Opakswayak Cree Nation and other First Nations community members. This development is a recipient of the Affordable Housing Now program.
Permits: #24-267488 MU-2024-11-27, Construct New. Construct a 12,3054 ft² 6-storey 129-unit multi-use residential building to include interior main floor parking garage and main floor CRU unit.






The Banks Condominiums
Location: 1924 St. Mary’s Road
Developer: StreetSide Developments
Architect: 701 Architecture Inc.
Status: U/C
Documents: Brochure | Subdivision and Rezoning – September 1, 2021 | Variance – September 1, 2021 | Plan Approval | Submitted Plans
Media: -
Renderings
Description: StreetSide Developments is constructing a 6-storey multi-family residential building containing 69 units.
Permits: #24-128234 MU-2024-12-04, Construct New. Construct 6 storey, 138,176 ft², 69 unit condominium building with an underground parkade







Dumoulin Apartments
Location: 158-160 Dumoulin Str
Developer: 10173049 MANITOBA LTD.
Architect: Verne Reimer Architecture
Status: In development
Documents: Design Review – February 21, 2025 | Submitted Plans
Media:
Description: 6-storey multi-family residential building encompassing 20 self-contained units and 8 single room occupancy units. The 8 single room occupancy units will be located on the second floor and have access to a shared kitchen/lounge room.
Permits:


787 - 783 Archibald Street
Location: 787 - 783 Archibald Street
Developer:
Architect: 2 Architecture Inc. (Andre Silva)
Status: In development
Documents: Subdivision and Rezoning – April 29, 2025
Project Post
Media: -
Description: 4 storey building with 18 residential units and 2 ground floor commercial units.
Permits:

[Wpg_Guy]

Some Winnipeg developments & infill

Place of Pride welcome centre
Location: 545 Broadway
Developer: Rainbow Resource Centre
Architect: Number Ten Architectural Group
Status: In development
Documents: -
Media: Architecture’s role in empowering LGBTTQ+ community–Winnipeg Free Press
Renderings
Description: Rainbow Resource Centre's Place of Pride campus will feature A new glass-walled welcome centre which will provide a link between the apartment building and Wilson House so all three buildings are seamlessly connected. The welcome centre will include art spaces, a library and community-connection spaces along with a courtyard, garden and second-floor patio will provide outdoor community gathering spaces.



Hyatt Centric Winnipeg Downtown
Location: 325 Broadway
Developer: Kothari Group
Architect: Otto Cheng Architect Incorporated
Status: Under construction
Documents: HEDI program June 12, 2023
Media: Western Canada’s first Hyatt Centric hotel to open on Broadway–Winnipeg Free Press
Project post
Description: A vacant six-story building at 325 Broadway will be converted into a 140-room Hyatt Centric hotel—the first of the Hyatt Centric brand in Western Canada. The modern, upscale property will host a wealth of amenities including a dramatic atrium, a restaurant, lounge and coffee shop and a spa and a fitness centre. This upscale lifestyle hotel is slated to open in Spring 2026.

Permits: #24-114524 PE-2024-05-13, Construct Addition. Hyatt Centric Winnipeg - Interior and exterior alterations to convert office building into hotel. All floors to be converted with basement with amenities/staff space and future spa space, main floor for lobby with interior parkade and restaurant, 2nd to 6th floor for guest rooms, and new addition on rooftop to consist of stairwells and lobby leading out to bar / patio space. New atrium space from main floor to roof with rooftop skylight to be constructed in the middle of building. Exterior work includes sitework, new patio space on front of building wrapping around to the side of restaurant space, new structural canopy on the side and front of building, and new windows and facade.



Capri Flats
Location: 1819 Pembina Hwy
Developer: Sustainable Equity Partners Ltd. | Pre-Con Builders
Architect: BLDG architecture office inc.
Status: In development
Documents: Rezoning–November 18, 2022 | Variance-March 10, 2025
Media:
Description: 10-storey mixed-use building with 240 dwelling units and 2 commercial spaces on the ground floor. The rear of the building is designed to provide direct pedestrian access to the rapid transit station and the public active transportation route. The retro Capri Hotel sign has been retained by the developer and will be refurbished and reinstalled on site.
Permits: #25-143410 EC-2025-04-28, Temporary Installation. Install Temporary Service for Construction Site Note: The service address is 1819 Pembina Hwy (formerly Capri Hotel). Please be advised that this address is currently not listed in the City’s system.





147 Spence Street
Location: 147 Spence Street
Developer: Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corp
Architect: Prairie Architects Inc..
Status: In development
Documents: Variance DAV 25-134264\C-March 27, 2025
Project Post:
Description: The City of Winnipeg approved an application for a 3-storey mixed-use residential and commercial building. An accessory social service facility use will be on the main floor, A principal care home use will be on the second floor with a total of 50 beds in 19 bedrooms, A principal 6-unit multi-family dwelling use will be on the third floor.
Permits:

[Wpg_Guy]

Our Safe Space
Location: 901 Day Street
Developer: Manitoba Inuit Association
Architect: 2 Architecture Inc
Status: In development
Documents: Plan Approval–May 23, 2025 | Submitted Plans
Project Post:
Description: This project is a two-storey 16 bed, 8 single-room occupancy transitional housing units for Inuit women and women with children who are escaping gender-based violence. The facility will be the first housing initiative lead and operated by Inuit to serve Inuit within Manitoba. The residential units would be located on the second floor, and communal living facilities and social support spaces would be located on the main floor. This project is a recipient of the Housing Accelerator Fund Capital Grant Incentive
Permits:



UWCRC Balmoral Housing
Location: 284 Balmoral Street
Developer: University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation
Architect: Architects at Play
Status: U/C
Documents: Subdivision and Rezoning–June 19, 2023 | Variance–June 19, 2023
Media: Province announces millions in funding for social housing units–CTV Winnipeg
Description: A new, four-storey multi-family15-unit, transitional housing development for Indigenous and Newcomer women, Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary people, and their dependents who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). Wrap-around support services to be provided by Family Dynamics, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, and New Journey Housing. The building also contains counselling space, a roof deck, bicycle parking, and an indoor communal area for residents. This development is a recipient of the Affordable Housing Now program.
Permits: #24-211672 MU-2025-05-06, Construct New. Construct a 5-storey, 1385.39 m², new multiple-dwelling building, with 15 units.



Inuit Women & Children’s Transitional Housing
Location: 455 St Mary's Rd
Developer: Manitoba Inuit Association
Architect: 2 Architecture Inc.
Status: Development permit
Documents: VARIANCE: 25-112084/C-January 31, 2025 | CONDITIONAL USE: 25-112079/C-January 31, 2025
Media:
Project Post
Description: Proposed is five storey residential and commercial mixed-use building, consisting of a daycare, 12 modern dwelling units with 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms and office space for the Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA), an open-air patio is proposed on the roof. The daycare space will occupy the ground, an outdoor play area is provided at the rear of the building and will be enclosed with a 6 foot-tall wooden fence.
Permits: #25-114730 DP-2025-05-20, Permit. Manitoba Inuit Association - Construct a multi-use building of 17,500 square feet with 12 residential units, a daycare facility measuring 1,577 square feet, and a social service office space measuring 4,086 square feet.




Pantages Playhouse Theatre renovation
Location: 180 Market Ave
Developer: The Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg & Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Architect: Number TEN Architectural Group
Status: In Development
Documents: Mayor Announces $2 Million Boost for Downtown Arts
Media:

• Arts group has deal to upgrade and run Pantages Theatre–CBC News Manitoba
• Proposed arts funding in Winnipeg includes more than $800K for long-vacant Pantages Theatre–CBC News Manitoba
• Plans for Pantages Theatre renovations unveiled–Winnipeg Free Press

Description: The Pantages Playhouse Theatre in Winnipeg, a 110-year-old national historic site vacant since 2019, is set for a $55–60 million restoration led by the Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg (PAC) and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO). The project includes modernizing the 1,100-seat venue with a deeper stage, orchestra pit, improved sightlines, and updated systems, while preserving its historic Edwardian baroque façade and interior. The WSO will be the primary tenant, using the space for most of its concerts, with additional access for community arts groups. Funding will come from government (50%) and private sources, with Winnipeg proposing $837,000 in multi-year support. The extensive renovation, designed by Number TEN Architectural Group, is unlikely to be completed before 2028. The PAC owns the theatre, acquired for $1 in 2022 from developers who retain adjacent land for housing.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Pantages Playhouse Theatre renovation
Location: 180 Market Ave
Developer: The Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg & Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Architect: Number TEN Architectural Group
Status: In Development
Documents: Mayor Announces $2 Million Boost for Downtown Arts
Media:

• Arts group has deal to upgrade and run Pantages Theatre–CBC News Manitoba
• Proposed arts funding in Winnipeg includes more than $800K for long-vacant Pantages Theatre–CBC News Manitoba
• Plans for Pantages Theatre renovations unveiled–Winnipeg Free Press

Description: The Pantages Playhouse Theatre in Winnipeg, a 110-year-old national historic site vacant since 2019, is set for a $55–60 million restoration led by the Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg (PAC) and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO). The project includes modernizing the 1,100-seat venue with a deeper stage, orchestra pit, improved sightlines, and updated systems, while preserving its historic Edwardian baroque façade and interior. The WSO will be the primary tenant, using the space for most of its concerts, with additional access for community arts groups. Funding will come from government (50%) and private sources, with Winnipeg proposing $837,000 in multi-year support. The extensive renovation, designed by Number TEN Architectural Group, is unlikely to be completed before 2028. The PAC owns the theatre, acquired for $1 in 2022 from developers who retain adjacent land for housing.

Amazing news for Winnipeg, one of the nicest remaining Pantages Playhouses on Earth is getting a new lease on life.

Here's a picture of the theatre a couple years ago. Needs some love. Legends like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplinstarted their international careers here. The first Jazz concert outside the US was here. It's a Canadian cultural legend. Super stoked it's getting an update.

[J.OT13]

Very nice! Few of those grand old performance theatres are left in Canada.

[isaidso]

Well done Winnipeg. The plans look fantastic.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Very nice! Few of those grand old performance theatres are left in Canada.

It would be interesting to have a thread on just music/play/theatre/concert venues across Canada. I'm sure we have some real gems in many places that don't get a lot of attention.

[FactaNV]

If you want a run down on the upgrades, please see TrueViking's post on it in the Winnipeg Construction XI thread. As a summary, redoing acoustics, redevelopment of the lobby and the addition, a couple lounges, a grand stair, a bar, redone dressing rooms and general TLC.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

It would be interesting to have a thread on just music/play/theatre/concert venues across Canada. I'm sure we have some real gems in many places that don't get a lot of attention.

If memory serves, there was such a thread many years ago.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

It would be interesting to have a thread on just music/play/theatre/concert venues across Canada. I'm sure we have some real gems in many places that don't get a lot of attention.

Good call. We have a couple of these old, grand music halls in Winnipeg, the Pantages Playhouse and the Burton Cummings Theatre. Technically we have the Metropolitan Threatre in a similar style too. Lots of music Brutalist theatres too, the Centennial, the MTC, etc. A brand new one at the U of M too. Lots of theatres and musical halls here.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

If memory serves, there was such a thread many years ago.

Ya we had something along that line a few years back. I wasn't 100% sure if I was correct, though.

Somebody else can start that thread, and the first post can highlight this Winnipeg project, perhaps.