[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 70

josh_cat_eyes · #**1381** Posted **Dec 19, 2014, 11:08 PM**

It truly was a gorgeous house! Bur it's on the block that Aquilini owns. I believe their intent is to develop the entire block.

Edit: I glanced at the house on the left, with is part of the Aquilini block, did you mean the house on the right?

MonctonRad · #**1382** Posted **Dec 20, 2014, 12:24 AM**

It's on the block next to the Aquillini block. A very nice building and it's sad to see it go. I presume the cost of maintenance and/or renovation was greater than the demolition costs and the taxes on a vacant lot. Very sad indeed. THe city should do what it can to prevent things like this from happening again.

BlackYear · #**1383** Posted **Dec 20, 2014, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

It truly was a gorgeous house! Bur it's on the block that Aquilini owns. I believe their intent is to develop the entire block.

Edit: I glanced at the house on the left, with is part of the Aquilini block, did you mean the house on the right?

House on the right between V Hotel and ScotiaMcCleod (Old YCMA).

MonctonRad · #**1384** Posted **Jan 1, 2015, 1:39 PM**

Fortis is apparently divesting itself of it's real estate portfolio. This includes the Blue Cross Centre in Moncton (as well as Brunswick Square in SJ and Kings Place Mall in Freddy).
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/brunswick-square-shopping-centre-up-for-sale-1.2887871

The CBC article only concentrates on the future of Brunswick Square (typical CBC bias). I know there are a lot of retail vacancies in Brunswick Square, but it's one of the largest buildings in uptown SJ and includes the Delta Hotel as well as office space and is at the heart of the pedway system so hopefully there will be interested buyers.

I'm personally not at all worried about the future of the Blue Cross Centre. It's the largest class A office building in Moncton and has no significant vacancies (retail or commercial). I'm sure that it will sell quickly.

The only concern is how well the new owners will work with the city, especially with regard to any development plans for the adjacent Downing street proposal. Fortis has been a good corporate citizen since 1988. Hopefully the new owners (whoever they might be) will also strive to do what is right for the city.

pierremoncton · #**1385** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 3:42 PM**

Not super exciting, but it looks like Sharky's on St George is finally going to get cleaned up. There's a sign for "Pawn Kings" on the building now. It had been an empty eyesore for around a decade. One step at a time...

MonctonRad · #**1386** Posted **Jan 7, 2015, 4:16 PM**

According to the T&T today, the Blue Olive (North African and Middle Eastern cuisine) is planning on opening a second location in the metro area. This will be at 841 Main Street (the original Moncton Ale House location), and they hope to be open by April (assuming Immigration Canada allows them to import the chefs that they want).

Main Street is now a beacon of eclectic dining in the metro area. Now if only we could get some specialty boutique retailers to join the mix.......

NBNYer · #**1387** Posted **Jan 7, 2015, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

According to the T&T today, the Blue Olive (North African and Middle Eastern cuisine) is planning on opening a second location in the metro area. This will be at 841 Main Street (the original Moncton Ale House location), and they hope to be open by April (assuming Immigration Canada allows them to import the chefs that they want).

Good on them for picking downtown for a second location! I'm a bit surprised though, considering their Paul street location is nearby.

Another patio on that stretch of Main would be great!

SaintJohner · #**1388** Posted **Jan 7, 2015, 9:10 PM**

I would like to see a nice Greek/Mediterranean patio, with outdoor heaters and some coastal flora and a greek feel.

SaintJohner · #**1389** Posted **Jan 7, 2015, 9:13 PM**

Also when did the Alehouse close or is this a different location?

MonctonRad · #**1390** Posted **Jan 7, 2015, 9:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintJohner

Also when did the Alehouse close or is this a different location?

It was the original Ale House location, also known as Doc Dylan's. I think the Ale House is still open in t's new location.

From Google Streetview:

It's two doors down from the current Ale House location........

Demeshio · #**1391** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 3:28 AM**

The federal government announcing today that Moncton will receive a total of $568,900 in funding for 2 projects. $500,000 of which is going to the Downing Plaza restauration project.

Press release: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=index&crtr.page=1&nid=918139

Photo Downing Plaza: https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...85608910203527785_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoibyJ9

NBNYer · #**1392** Posted **Jan 9, 2015, 11:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demeshio

The federal government announcing today that Moncton will receive a total of $568,900 in funding for 2 projects. $500,000 of which is going to the Downing Plaza restauration project.

Press release: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=index&crtr.page=1&nid=918139

Photo Downing Plaza: https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...85608910203527785_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoibyJ9

Good find. I wonder how much of the project will be included in phase 1.

I'll post the picture you linked since I don't think this view has been posted here before. Of note in this view is that cars appear to be limited to the east side of the plaza whereas the previous render had a central plaza with north and south bound lanes on either side.

MonctonRad · #**1393** Posted **Jan 10, 2015, 4:41 PM**

Another new restaurant for downtown Moncton.

The T&T is reporting that Les Brumes du Coude (The Fogs of the Bend), a traditional French restaurant has opened at the Centre Culturel Aberdeen. It is replacing the former Cafe Aberdeen.

NBNYer · #**1394** Posted **Jan 10, 2015, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Another new restaurant for downtown Moncton.

The T&T is reporting that Les Brumes du Coude (The Fogs of the Bend), a traditional French restaurant has opened at the Centre Culturel Aberdeen. It is replacing the former Cafe Aberdeen.

They already have a great-looking website, but still no menu posted online or english translation. They describe themselves as an ''almost traditional'' bistro. Looks like it could be another great addition to the culinary scene in Moncton.

I'll have to try it out!

Link to website

MonctonRad · #**1395** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 12:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBNYer

They already have a great-looking website, but still no menu posted online or english translation. They describe themselves as an ''almost traditional'' bistro. Looks like it could be another great addition to the culinary scene in Moncton.

I'll have to try it out!

Link to website

This restaurant apparently will never have anglophone signage, menus or service. They say they are going for an "authentic" Parisien bistro experience. They will assist unilingual anglophone patrons, but only if the patron is absolutely unable to cope with the situation..

For what it's worth, I have been to authentic Parisien bistros (in Paris), and I had no difficulty getting service in English. We'll see how this approach works in Moncton.

At least it isn't Starbucks......

Nashe · #**1396** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 1:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This restaurant apparently will never have anglophone signage, menus or service. They say they are going for an "authentic" Parisien bistro experience. They will assist unilingual anglophone patrons, but only if the patron is absolutely unable to cope with the situation..

Seems they broke their own rule at least a tiny bit. From their menu:

Quote:

"Meat pie" à l'anglaise sur verdures
- 12 -

SaintJohner · #**1397** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 4:51 PM**

So does that mean that if I open a english pub, irish pub or any restaurant, that I can bend the rules and say, I am trying to create an authentic english, irish pub, so we don't speak french and if you have problems sorry... you have to just deal with it.

I all for parisian cafes, but you have to cater to all people, when I'm in Quebec city people make an effot to speak english, when I was in France last ( my french is horrendous) but I attempted, they spoke english and were very helpful and friendly.

I can't see this cafe being anything more than just for the people who work in the Aberdeen building.

All I am saying is that if they don't want to have any english, than the chinese restaurants, or many other restaurants don't have to have signage or workers who speak french.

L'homard · #**1398** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 5:35 PM**

In Moncton, nobody has to have signage in French or serve customers in French, unless it is government. Just to clarify.

Patapouf26 · #**1399** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintJohner

So does that mean that if I open a english pub, irish pub or any restaurant, that I can bend the rules and say, I am trying to create an authentic english, irish pub, so we don't speak french and if you have problems sorry... you have to just deal with it.

I all for parisian cafes, but you have to cater to all people, when I'm in Quebec city people make an effot to speak english, when I was in France last ( my french is horrendous) but I attempted, they spoke english and were very helpful and friendly.

I can't see this cafe being anything more than just for the people who work in the Aberdeen building.

All I am saying is that if they don't want to have any english, than the chinese restaurants, or many other restaurants don't have to have signage or workers who speak french.

According to the website : '' Although this home is fundamentally French, we do not discriminate or exclude English-speaking clients, nor patrons of any other culture. Quite the opposite! All our staff is fluently bilingual, and we take pleasure in serving friends and clients in the language of their preference. ''

So if we take your example, yes, you can absolutely go for an English style eatery... If you have fluently bilingual staff to help out, there shouldn't be any problems. And as mentionned above, the city of Moncton doesn't impose bilingualism.

MonctonRad · #**1400** Posted **Jan 13, 2015, 6:40 PM**

Also from their website:

Quote:

we will not let our essence dissolve in trying to accommodate everybody’s expectations or requests. This is why we do not offer a gluten-free or a set vegetarian menu (although a vegetarian creation is available on request); why there is no fixed menu, forever offering the same best-sellers; and why our menu and online posts will be created and communicated in French only.

They appear to be more accommodating than on first impression (based on the interview I heard on CBC radio this morning), but I think it will be a mistake for them not to have an English translation on their menus or an English on-line presence. By default, they are excluding the more than 50% of metro Moncton residents who are neither native francophone or functionally bilingual.

At the very least, English translated menus should be available.