The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 577

Fischbob · #**11521** Posted **Nov 19, 2018, 10:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ire Narissis

Does this pier have anything to do with said industrial park site?

https://goo.gl/maps/Ai3poZygbHs

The new Coast Guard offices are in the McAllister Industrial Park, so quite divorced from the coast actually!

Fischbob · #**11522** Posted **Nov 19, 2018, 11:54 PM**

In other news, The Church of St. Andrew and St. David is moving into renovated former commercial space at the Admiral Beatty.

ColSJ · #**11523** Posted **Nov 20, 2018, 1:52 AM**

Front angle shot of 1 Charlotte. IMO this looks great and is a prime example of the potential so many buildings on the central peninsula have. Jones Gallery will be occupying the bottom floor and the top floors will house apartments. Great job Percy Wilbur!

Fischbob · #**11524** Posted **Nov 20, 2018, 3:11 AM**

While I'm happy to see the building saved, I share Kwajo's disappointment in how the street level details and Union Street infill has turned out. We were promised a much higher quality project (see below render from a year ago)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Plans are in the works to restore the derelict building at the corner of Union and Charlotte. I found this conceptual render in this week's Council agenda -
it's currently a candidate for the Urban Development Incentives Program.

Source (page 235)

Southpaw78 · #**11525** Posted **Nov 20, 2018, 3:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fischbob

While I'm happy to see the building saved, I share Kwajo's disappointment in how the street level details and Union Street infill has turned out. We were promised a much higher quality project (see below render from a year ago)...

Same sentiment. Appreciate the good intentions, but the cladding on the infill is very disappointing and not attempt to match the existing streetscape.

NB_ExistsToo · #**11526** Posted **Nov 20, 2018, 2:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ire Narissis

Does this pier have anything to do with said industrial park site?

https://goo.gl/maps/Ai3poZygbHs

that pier is just a launching site for modules or other large components that are extremely expensive/too big for the roadways. They used it for the Irving refinery earlier this year. (which I think was the first time it was used too)

https://huddle.today/lorneville-ships-huge-refining-units-by-barge-to-the-irving-oil-refinery/

NB_ExistsToo · #**11527** Posted **Nov 23, 2018, 2:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

I wonder if anyone will get some pics of the new look?

The ones at CBC News website are a bit small.

=P

Here's another CBC article with before and after shots of the new Day's Inn.

I'm happy to see the project done, now lets hope it does well!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/colonial-inn-days-inn-saint-john-1.4883606

Joe · #**11528** Posted **Nov 27, 2018, 10:24 PM**

From Huddle today

https://huddle.today/toronto-firm-buys-old-woolworths-building-on-king-street-in-saint-john/

ColSJ · #**11529** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 12:34 AM**

SAINT JOHN – FKLE Investments Inc. has purchased the properties at 91 and 22 King Street after Roo Change of Integrity Real Estate Investment, who purchased both properties earlier this year, decided not to proceed with the redevelopments for the two buildings

Quote:

“The owners of FKLE are very impressed with the energy and vibrancy in Saint John and are really looking forward to contributing to that,” said Hardy in a release.

The company will be working with their engineers and architects to evaluate various options for the building at 91 King. Hardy and Stephanie Turner of Partners Global will begin the search for tenants at 22 King Street right away.

Quote:

“They plan to conduct a full analysis of 91 King before deciding on the best approach to redevelop the property. By its nature, this is a complicated project so engaging the appropriate expertise is a wise decision.”

Just want to point out I've been trying to find information on FKLE but have been unsuccessful most likely because google thinks FKLE is a typo so nothing is coming up. Nevertheless as far was what we know, this is great news. Nice to see Roo Chang made the honorable decision to sell the properties.

JakeNB · #**11530** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 1:26 AM**

This makes no sense. A reputable developer would do their due diligence with architects and engineers BEFORE they close the deal. Hope I am wrong, but am skeptical about another unknown “developer” taking on this property

NB_ExistsToo · #**11531** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 5:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Just want to point out I've been trying to find information on FKLE but have been unsuccessful most likely because google thinks FKLE is a typo so nothing is coming up. Nevertheless as far was what we know, this is great news. Nice to see Roo Chang made the honorable decision to sell the properties.

Pretty Much all I can find on them... so they're just over a year old. But seem to be non-existent other than this Uptown purchase.

FKLE INVESTMENTS INC.
Collapse to obtain less information
Business Number (BN): -
Registry ID: 2602300
Registered Office Location: RICHMOND HILL, Ontario
Status: Active
Status Notes: Active
Business Type: Ontario Business Corporation
Created: 2017-10-20
Official registry source: ServiceOntario

BaseballFan · #**11532** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 6:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeNB

This makes no sense. A reputable developer would do their due diligence with architects and engineers BEFORE they close the deal. Hope I am wrong, but am skeptical about another unknown “developer” taking on this property

Agreed. No serious player buys something blindly...

Wolkenkratzerliebhab · #**11533** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballFan

Agreed. No serious player buys something blindly...

To be honest, who's to say that they bought it blindly? They may have studied the project for months. Well, we'll see, hopefully, very soon?

ColSJ · #**11534** Posted **Nov 28, 2018, 11:25 PM**

CBC has done an article on the story and here's two worthy points I took from it.

Quote:

"They're from Toronto and they've been looking at the Saint John market for close to two years," said Turner of FKLE Investments, whose principals have not been identified. "[They were] looking for a solid investment and they feel like they found it."

So its encouraging knowing they studied this building so they were aware of its challenges beforehand.

Quote:

Stephanie Turner said the new investors' plans for the former department store are similar to the previous owners — and just as vague: Either tear it down, or renovate it to be a mix of office and residential units.

Like what Stephanie Turner said, "vague". I think FKLE should be more public with the community to gain trust given the last crack at this building, but there is no profile of FKLE online which is concerning.
Until FKLE releases a render and commits funding to this project I will understandably remain skeptical but optimistic.

Full Article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...et-woolworth-s-building-owners-1.4924527

ColSJ · #**11535** Posted **Nov 29, 2018, 12:44 AM**

Thought I'd give an update on my research. FLKE Investments and Integrity Real Estate (Previous Owner Roo Chang) are known business associates. After discussions about the two King Street properties 91, 22 King FLKE and Integrity agreed to merge and FLKE would take over and Integrity would no longer be a thing. At this time confirmed by Stephanie Turner of Saint John Commercial Real Estate FLKE Investments Inc. has no online profile "yet".

Wolkenkratzerliebhab · #**11536** Posted **Nov 30, 2018, 9:41 PM**

I stopped by the uptown library today, and in yesterdays newspaper, I read an article that said that the people behind FLK Investments have had a lot of experience in developing multi-million dollars projects in Ontario and that they have been studying not only opportunities in Saint John, but in 91 King Street in particular, for two years!

Their plans are very similar to the Vancouver developer. I get the impression that the people behind the Ontario company have just recently reorganized into a newer company which would help to explain the little facts that we have. I just hope that they can succeed in developing the old Woolworth's as soon as possible.

RR Drummer · #**11537** Posted **Dec 1, 2018, 3:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

I stopped by the uptown library today, and in yesterdays newspaper, I read a article that said that the people behind FLK Investments have had a lot of experience in developing multi-million dollars projects in Ontario and that they have been studying not only opportunities in Saint John, but in 91 King Street in particular, for two years!

Their plans are very similar to the Vancouver developer. I get the impression that the people behind the Ontario company have just recently reorganized into a newer company which would help to explain the little facts that we have. I just hope that they can succeed in developing the old Woolworth's as soon as possible.

I agree 100%. Could be a real game changer once concrete plans developed and work started.

RR Drummer · #**11538** Posted **Dec 1, 2018, 3:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WharfRat

Yikes!!!

I am happy to see this property getting new life/infill. While it may not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone, I have seen worse. The money for this development did not come out of my pocket but I am sure those involved had reasons for decisions made. Another Uptown property revitalized is a good thing.

JHikka · #**11539** Posted **Dec 1, 2018, 1:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR Drummer

I am happy to see this property getting new life/infill. While it may not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone, I have seen worse. The money for this development did not come out of my pocket but I am sure those involved had reasons for decisions made. Another Uptown property revitalized is a good thing.

Especially one on a street that people frequently drive through on and make rash assumptions on without doing any further investigating into the Uptown.

I couldn't tell you how many times i've heard people moan about the plight of the Uptown based solely on "I drove down Union the other day..."

Joe · #**11540** Posted **Dec 4, 2018, 5:08 PM**

City Hall sold

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...lease-city-market-tower-budget-1.4931266