HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Atlantic Provinces > Halifax > Halifax Peninsula & Downtown Dartmouth


Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #1  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 10:30 PM
Dmajackson's Avatar
Dmajackson Dmajackson is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: B3K Halifax, NS
Posts: 9,294
[Halifax] Oxford North (6395 North) | 20 m | 7 fl | U/C

Regional Council has two reports that might be of interest to SSP;

1) Case #18388 - A proposal by Mythos Developments to construct a 7-storey residential building at 6395-6399 North Street. The building would wrap around North, Oxford, and Seaforth Streets. Staff is recommending against this proposal citing compatibility issues with SFH's nearby, parking entrance off of Seaforth, and the planned 5' blank wall wrapping around the property. IMO staff are correct to not support this project and while mixed housing options would be great for the West End this is not the way to get that. A rendering is available at the very end of the document.

2) Administrative Order 50 - Following new procedures HRM staff are recommending the selling of numerous surplus properties. Of note is the plan to sell Dartmouth City Hall, Khyber Building, and four properties along Maitland Street (part of an unknown proposal).
__________________
NEW!!!Halifax Developments Blog

- DJ
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 10:39 PM
Keith P.'s Avatar
Keith P. Keith P. is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,964
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmajackson View Post
Regional Council has two reports that might be of interest to SSP;

1) Case #18388 - A proposal by Mythos Developments to construct a 7-storey residential building at 6395-6399 North Street. The building would wrap around North, Oxford, and Seaforth Streets. Staff is recommending against this proposal citing compatibility issues with SFH's nearby, parking entrance off of Seaforth, and the planned 5' blank wall wrapping around the property. IMO staff are correct to not support this project and while mixed housing options would be great for the West End this is not the way to get that. A rendering is available at the very end of the document.
Here is the rendering. Doesn't look bad and is at least somewhat unique:




Quote:
2) Administrative Order 50 - Following new procedures HRM staff are recommending the selling of numerous surplus properties. Of note is the plan to sell Dartmouth City Hall, Khyber Building, and four properties along Maitland Street (part of an unknown proposal).
Oh, please, please, PLEASE... sell the Khyber!!! Get this albatross off the taxpayer's back. It is the only hope for the rest of that god-forsaken block on Barrington to get out of the ditch it's been in for decades.

Interesting re Dartmouth City Hall. Not sure it has much value to the city but the old guard in Dartmouth will be dead-set against it I bet.

Last edited by Keith P.; Jul 26, 2014 at 12:35 AM.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #3  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 10:52 PM
Drybrain Drybrain is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith P. View Post


Eww.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #4  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 11:17 PM
Ziobrop's Avatar
Ziobrop Ziobrop is offline
armchairitect
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Halifax
Posts: 721
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drybrain View Post
Eww.
Yep. Needs to loose the stone.. Looks like it belongs in an office park somewhere

HTNS used to have offices in the khyber.. They could buy it. Heck I wouldn't complain if the city sold it for 1$ contingent on them restoring it..
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 11:35 PM
Drybrain Drybrain is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziobrop View Post
Yep. Needs to loose the stone.. Looks like it belongs in an office park somewhere

HTNS used to have offices in the khyber.. They could buy it. Heck I wouldn't complain if the city sold it for 1$ contingent on them restoring it..
The irony, I assume, is that they could never afford to restore it?

My two cents on Khyber is that city should just fix it. The costs are unfortunate, but it's an extraordinary building (Keith's opinion notwithstanding) and I just don't see a proper restoration, at the $3-4 million cost estimate, being tenable for a private developer, unless they commit some substantial alteration/build above it/etc. (Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my hunch.)

It'd be wildly unacceptable to commit substantial alterations to the building in the name of making a redevelopment/re-use more financially feasible. It just needs to be fixed, as-is. It needs cash money. Christ, I keep coming back to the Lister Block in Hamilton--the city spent $21 million on that, and that's a city in a less enviable financial position than we are. The Khyber needs to be fixed, by the city, now. Selling it so some private developer can snap it up and then sit on the land until the building falls down is no solution.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #6  
Old Posted Jul 25, 2014, 11:36 PM
ILoveHalifax ILoveHalifax is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Posts: 1,059
I like the place and especially like how they would use the stone reminiscent of the convent that was/is there.
And I like the curved windows similar to the place at Quinpool and Vernon.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #7  
Old Posted Jul 26, 2014, 12:29 AM
Keith P.'s Avatar
Keith P. Keith P. is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,964
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drybrain View Post
The irony, I assume, is that they could never afford to restore it?

My two cents on Khyber is that city should just fix it. The costs are unfortunate, but it's an extraordinary building (Keith's opinion notwithstanding) and I just don't see a proper restoration, at the $3-4 million cost estimate, being tenable for a private developer, unless they commit some substantial alteration/build above it/etc. (Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my hunch.)

It'd be wildly unacceptable to commit substantial alterations to the building in the name of making a redevelopment/re-use more financially feasible. It just needs to be fixed, as-is. It needs cash money. Christ, I keep coming back to the Lister Block in Hamilton--the city spent $21 million on that, and that's a city in a less enviable financial position than we are. The Khyber needs to be fixed, by the city, now. Selling it so some private developer can snap it up and then sit on the land until the building falls down is no solution.
I think it is a hideous, unwelcoming, almost hostile-looking building and despite its age and whatever architectural merit some may think it has, it is a real drain on that block. But let me put that aside for a second and be magnanimous. I am not a professional architecture critic and maybe it is one of the best buildings of its kind in the world. Then OK, perhaps the city through an unfortunate series of bad decisions is on the hook to restore it. Fine, can't change the past.

But I have a huge problem with them doing that just so it can be a private clubhouse for the Khyber Arts Society. Never have I seen a more entitled-sounding bunch. If the city is going to sink that kind of money into the dump, then there needs to be some return. Gifting it to the KAS is not that. It needs to be made a home for wayward girls, a municipal office, something that the city can get some proper value out of. Not the KAS clubhouse. No way.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #8  
Old Posted Jul 26, 2014, 12:36 AM
Keith P.'s Avatar
Keith P. Keith P. is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,964
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax View Post
I like the place and especially like how they would use the stone reminiscent of the convent that was/is there.
And I like the curved windows similar to the place at Quinpool and Vernon.
I assume it is the actual stone, reused. That's why I thought it wasn't bad.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #9  
Old Posted Jul 26, 2014, 9:30 AM
fenwick16 fenwick16 is offline
Honored Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto area (ex-Nova Scotian)
Posts: 5,558
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith P. View Post
Here is the rendering. Doesn't look bad and is at least somewhat unique:


The design itself is interesting but the exterior cladding looks bad. If they had of used light coloured precast panels or white block on the lower storeys instead of the terrible looking stone then it would be a decent looking building, in my opinion.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #10  
Old Posted Jul 26, 2014, 4:22 PM
portapetey portapetey is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 509
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith P. View Post
Here is the rendering. Doesn't look bad and is at least somewhat unique:



Oh, please, please, PLEASE... sell the Khyber!!! Get this albatross off the taxpayer's back. It is the only hope for the rest of that god-forsaken block on Barrington to get out of the ditch it's been in for decades.

Interesting re Dartmouth City Hall. Not sure it has much value to the city but the old guard in Dartmouth will be dead-set against it I bet.

The overall design is not terrible, but what is it with Halifax developers' need to mix and match about 6 different architectural styles, and about 6 different claddings all in one building?

Just pick a style, pick a building material (but no more red brick, please) and go with it.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #11  
Old Posted Aug 8, 2014, 2:11 AM
Dmajackson's Avatar
Dmajackson Dmajackson is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: B3K Halifax, NS
Posts: 9,294
Created a thread for this project seeing how Regional Council has voted to allow this project to have public consultation.
__________________
NEW!!!Halifax Developments Blog

- DJ
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #12  
Old Posted Aug 8, 2014, 2:26 PM
curnhalio's Avatar
curnhalio curnhalio is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 314
This is a first for me, but I'm actually against it. Nothing to do with the usual NIMBY crap, I just happen to think the current building is really cool looking, and they are planning to mess up a unique building and make it look more like every other new building going up.

Can't they build up and make the entire building out of stone?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #13  
Old Posted Aug 8, 2014, 2:30 PM
mcmcclassic's Avatar
mcmcclassic mcmcclassic is offline
BUILD!
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 432
Quote:
Originally Posted by curnhalio View Post
This is a first for me, but I'm actually against it. Nothing to do with the usual NIMBY crap, I just happen to think the current building is really cool looking, and they are planning to mess up a unique building and make it look more like every other new building going up.

Can't they build up and make the entire building out of stone?
I agree too. I feel that something like this would fit in very well out on say Washmill Lake Dr.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #14  
Old Posted Aug 8, 2014, 3:01 PM
xanaxanax xanaxanax is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 244
Noooo, I love the building that is there now. I don't think this is the worst looking thing ever it could use some redesign work.

Knock down the butt ugly Gospel Hall building across the street and build this thing there. It would fit in a little better if just moved over to that spot with some modifications.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #15  
Old Posted Aug 9, 2014, 11:04 PM
Waye Mason's Avatar
Waye Mason Waye Mason is offline
opinionated so and so
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 721
I am trying to keep an open mind but I think it is inappropriate in 2014 to allow concrete walls up against the sidewalk so you can save some money on excavating the parking. It is just such bad urban design.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #16  
Old Posted Aug 9, 2014, 11:47 PM
ILoveHalifax ILoveHalifax is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Posts: 1,059
Funny how we come up with some urban design principles and then can not consider any alternatives.
5885 Cunard has concrete wall very close to the sidewalk and it was a great place to live. The Armoury next door is so close to the sidewalk that one could spit on your balcony.
If the builder can build and sell the buyers are the ones who should decide if they like the text book designs.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #17  
Old Posted Aug 10, 2014, 5:56 AM
counterfactual counterfactual is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 1,796
Quote:
Originally Posted by Waye Mason View Post
I am trying to keep an open mind but I think it is inappropriate in 2014 to allow concrete walls up against the sidewalk so you can save some money on excavating the parking. It is just such bad urban design.
It's a clunky design, with some okay parts and some useless/bad parts.

The concrete wall is dumb. There should, instead, be street level retail, etc, not some ugly fake wall that hides part of the sidewalk. Expand the sidewalk if you have the space.

Drop the stone cladding, looks dumb.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #18  
Old Posted Aug 10, 2014, 12:34 PM
curnhalio's Avatar
curnhalio curnhalio is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 314
Quote:
Originally Posted by counterfactual View Post
The concrete wall is dumb. There should, instead, be street level retail, etc, not some ugly fake wall that hides part of the sidewalk. Expand the sidewalk if you have the space.
The area could use a little street level retail, actually. I could overlook the downgrading of the building itself if it's accompanied by an upgrade of the street area. The intersection has some of the better transit connections in the city, but has precious little growth potential.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #19  
Old Posted Aug 10, 2014, 1:57 PM
Keith P.'s Avatar
Keith P. Keith P. is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,964
Street level retail? Why? It is not a retail area. That sounds like yet another old chestnut from the planner's book of maxims that must be used in every discussion.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #20  
Old Posted Aug 10, 2014, 9:44 PM
counterfactual counterfactual is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 1,796
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith P. View Post
Street level retail? Why? It is not a retail area. That sounds like yet another old chestnut from the planner's book of maxims that must be used in every discussion.
And opposing street level retail appears to be an old page taken right out of the Anti-Urbanist Almanac.

You really should write that, by the way. I give you permission to use that catchy title: Keith's Anti-Urbanist Almanac (tm).

Are you at all familiar with the area? There's a great little coffee shop just up the street, which IMHO has added a lot to the local. As curnhalio says, a little more street level retail like that could be a real plus for the area and IMHO, help build a sense of local, walkable, community-- maybe another cafe, maybe a small grocer; some of small local business-- anything, really.

Street level retail doesn't have to be Best Buy. The whole purpose of mixed-use development is to stop the trend of dumb suburban-like neighborhoods where everything is residential or commercial, meaning you have to drive everywhere for even the most simplest needs. Having some small street level space for local business, where people can walk, meet, socialize, get life necessities, is good, and helps build great communities.

So if you're arguing, ala Waye Mason, that small street level retail is "out of character" with the community.... I'll laugh a little at the irony and then point out that North Street is dotted with businesses all along it. This could just add a little more, rather than some ugly street wall currently proposed.

Last edited by counterfactual; Aug 10, 2014 at 9:56 PM.
Reply With Quote
     
     
This discussion thread continues

Use the page links to the lower-right to go to the next page for additional posts
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Atlantic Provinces > Halifax > Halifax Peninsula & Downtown Dartmouth
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 5:31 AM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.