[Halifax] Nova Centre | 65-58-58 m | 16-15-14 fl | Completed

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Nova Centre is more attractive IMO...

The one front view of the Ottawa Centre certainly is impressive, however it appears as though the other three walls are essentially vertical blank walls (one wall appears to be directly next to a highway, one wall is adjacent to a mall and the other wall is adjacent to a Western hotel based on Bing Maps). The overall Nova Centre might actually be more attractive.

[Phalanx]

No. The curved glass curtain wall continues around at least one side. Not sure about the other because I never saw that wall. The back wall is up against the Rideau Centre, so...

[sdm]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

No. The curved glass curtain wall continues around at least one side. Not sure about the other because I never saw that wall. The back wall is up against the Rideau Centre, so...

Actually its the largest curved curtain wall in all of Canada, very expensive.

[fenwick16]

It certainly is impressive. I haven't been able to see any complete images of the other 3 sides. All the images seem to be of the curved glass wall which seems to wrap partly around the front corners as below. The other sides might be glass but not curved like the front view.

I don't think anyone can argue that the Ottawa design wouldn't look good in Halifax or elsewhere. If this had of been proposed for the Halifax waterfront then it probably wouldn't have been opposed by the Heritage Groups, at least not based on height. But then it probably would have been opposed based on cost (I think that the glass curtain wall would add many millions of dollars to the design).

OTTAWA Convention Centre 3rd Floor.
(source: http://ottawaconventioncentre.com/_files...or%20Plans%20and%20Capacity%20Charts.pdf )

[worldlyhaligonian]

Hmm... are there more functional spaces like a breakaway meeting rooms or retail?

The Ottawa design works very European and works wel because it fronts onto the water.

Given the site in Halifax and the need to address several streets, I think the design of the Nova Centre is decent and with hotel, office, and retail will work.

Its not really Scotia Square because of the hotel element. Also, I think the Atrium is a good feature and given the weather in Halifax.

[Phalanx]

No retail. The curved wall is top to bottom, and along the edge of the canal, so would be out of place, and as I've already mentioned, it's right up against the Rideau Centre, a huge mall, so I'm not sure if exterior retail would be necessary, or even work in this context. Besides, when you're actually trying to make an architectural statement, you probably don't want to clutter it up with retail.

The Halifax proposal is functional, but it's hardly trying to make a statement. It's just very practical.

[fenwick16]

Referring to the story at this link:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1208372.html

Mayor Peter Kelly said this week that he doesn’t like the province messing with municipal revenue sources by wanting to avoid paying property tax on the centre. He said that could mean the city would lose out on more than $8 million a year.

Would the HRM really charge $8 million a year in property tax for the convention centre alone? That would be $25.89 per square foot for property tax alone ($8M/309,000 square feet gross). That sounds very high (when I watched the internet broadcast there was no mention of the entire complex being exempt.).

EDITED: Another story from earlier indicated that it would be $1.2 million per year for the convention centre portion which sounds more reasonable - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/10/19/ns-halifax-council-convention.html . There seems to be a great deal of mis-information in the newspapers regarding the CC.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

Referring to the story at this link:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1208372.html


Would the HRM really charge $8 million a year in property tax for the convention centre alone? That would be $25.89 per square foot for property tax alone ($8M/309,000 square feet gross). That sounds very high (when I watched the internet broadcast there was no mention of the entire complex being exempt.).

I was just about to post the same comment. The tax revenue for the city from the entire complex ....CC, hotel and office tower was estimated at 8-12 million. In the ask from the province the request was that the province be exempt from paying property tax on the CC portion of the complex. Firstly they wouldn't be paying tax on the hotel or office tower because they are not putting a penny into it. Secondly why would you pay property tax on property you don't own? You don't get a tax bill for an apartment. Either Kelly misunderstands the entire concept or the reporter has put a twist on it. If the developer owns the entire complex then they should get the entire tax bill.

[Empire]

Here are some pics I took in Ottawa this July of the convention centre plus a few others.

Current Ottawa Convention Centre. Not sure but I think this will be connected to the new one which is right beside it.




CC accross from the Chateau Laurier


New Ottawa CC on the Rideau


Stairs from the CC to the canal bike/walking/jogging trail



CC looking east



Public art that isn't a lighthouse

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Empire

Here are some pics I took in Ottawa this July of the convention centre plus a few others.

Current Ottawa Convention Centre. Not sure but I think this will be connected to the new one which is right beside it.

How do you think that the Nova Centre will compare to the Ottawa Convention Centre? The Ottawa Convention Centre looks more impressive. However, based on the floor plans of the two, I think that the functionality of the Nova Centre is just as good (it has less individual meeting space but a much larger Ballroom which might be suitable for small concerts also, and the Exhibit/Multipurpose Halls look almost identical in space for the two).

[Empire]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

How do you think that the Nova Centre will compare to the Ottawa Convention Centre? The Ottawa Convention Centre looks more impressive. However, based on the floor plans of the two, I think that the functionality of the Nova Centre is just as good (it has less individual meeting space but a much larger Ballroom which might be suitable for small concerts also, and the Exhibit/Multipurpose Halls look almost identical in space for the two).

I think the actual layout of the Nova Centre is not bad. I like the large Ballroom and Exibit area. I guess that Halifax could use a bit more of a marketing edge and a location like the waterfornt would help. That being said, the Nova Centre is on Halifax's version of Bourbon St. (Argyle). The Ottawa CC has a great location on the Rideau plus it is at the edge of Byward Market.

[worldlyhaligonian]

That whole area has improved significantly... it used to be pretty sketchy around the RC is some places.

Its not really near the rest of the downtown on the other side of the canal though, I think the area in Halifax is much more lively.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

That whole area has improved significantly... it used to be pretty sketchy around the RC is some places.

Its not really near the rest of the downtown on the other side of the canal though, I think the area in Halifax is much more lively.

I agree, Halifax has a more lively feel. The Ottawa CC is on the edge of the ByWard district but it still seems to have a reserved atmosphere.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Yeah, the mall is always fairly busy and the area is more active at certain times of the day, but the atmosphere is different than the downtown area on one side or Byward area on the other side (which I like the most).

Its still a bit sketchy in areas.

[halifaxboyns]

I find the reason why Halifax works so well is because it's grown at such a slow rate; that the growth has been organic meaning that it's been slow enough that we don't need to over-plan things. They just tend to work out without much pushing from the planners, which is good.

As to the design; personally I think Nova centre could be better. But then again, any building could be better. The fact is; we're trying to design a CC that's functional - not a gateway to the world. If we wanted a gateway to the world; I'd say talk to the architects that did the Canada Line station at YVR or design something to include elements from the citadell or local heritage. We want something functional but reasonable in design.

If we were back at step one and looking for sites; I would have to say - I'd probably champion a different location. When this site was brought forward, my first thought was - there are better places. But then again, I don't have a spare $150 million in my back pocket! Besides; any developer could've brought forward a proposal like this. People can suggest but until it's built; it's still a proposal.

If I were asked what sites I'd go for; there are a few. I'd have talked to the guy's doing Queens Wharf and see if it could've gone there as part of the new Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. That would put it on the waterfront and make any view incredible. Another site (just below Twisted Sisters) would be the same block that has the two federal government office buildings and a parking lot (the Hollis/Sackville/Lower Water Block) just above Summit Place. Or, even summit place would work if Queen's Wharf couldn't - the site was underdeveloped from the get go and isn't impeeded by viewplanes. Or, since it's about enhancing the Regional Capital - downtown Halifax isn't the only part of the Regional Capital region; so is Downtown Dartmouth so just build out into the harbour and then you get a great view...

...But it's too late and those aren't options; so we have to work with what we have. I believe that this will still put us on a bigger stage of conventions and attract more visitors to town.

[kph06]

Funny how things really don't change after 30 years. I was looking at old pictures in my parents basement last night and found some that were wrapped in old newspapers, just for kicks I started looking at the papers. This was the first article I saw from 1981 (excuse the blood, I got a paper cut in the process of unwrapping).

[halifaxboyns]

Wow, what a find!

[kwajo]

Wow, what commitment - spilled blood to help keep Skyscraperpage users informed!

[worldlyhaligonian]

Wow, if this is the era when our current convention centre was built, its clear we need a new one.

I find the whole "we already have a convention centre" point rediculous... why is every other major centre building them then?

[Empire]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Wow, if this is the era when our current convention centre was built, its clear we need a new one.

I find the whole "we already have a convention centre" point rediculous... why is every other major centre building them then?

Every other major centre is building them because they also build stadiums.