Vic Suites (Hollis & Morris) | 32 m | 10 fl | Complete

sdm · #1 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 7:34 PM**

Case 01163
Application by Dexel Developments Limited to enter into a development agreement to allow for a 10-storey mixed use commercial/residential building at the corner of Hollis Street and Morris Street (1267-1285 Hollis Street and 5142-5144 Morris Street; PID #'s 00092635 and 00092627), Halifax.

http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case01162Details.html

gm_scott · #2 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 7:54 PM**

I like the idea. I'm just not sure if it looks contemporary enough.

sdm · #3 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gm_scott

I like the idea. I'm just not sure if it looks contemporary enough.

I like it, its a good fit for the area. Hopefully it gets built.

Too bad looking at HRM by design maps this building couldn't be built to ten stories.

I figure we are going to see lots of development agreements for downtown come flying in before HRM by design gets adopted.

worldlyhaligonian · #4 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 7:59 PM**

10 floors is good for that location, I'm going to guess that the HT is going to shit their pants yet again.

The cranes for this, the Alexander development, the Centennial development, and UG would make Halifax look like a development boom was going on...

For now, Canada's virtual city

Dmajackson · #5 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 7:57 PM**

Thats the set of wooden houses that supposedly are huge fire hazards. That block is currently a disaster zone so I welcome any development here. Looking at the renderings it looks pretty good. The parking buildings look a little strange though... Just some more info:

Public meeting: June 25th, 2008 @ 7:00pm @ City Hall

And the thread title should look like this:

5114 Hollis|45m|10frs|Proposed

sdm · #6 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 8:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

Thats the set of wooden houses that supposedly are huge fire hazards. That block is currently a disaster zone so I welcome any development here. Looking at the renderings it looks pretty good. The parking buildings look a little strange though... Just some more info:

Public meeting: June 25th, 2008 @ 7:00pm @ City Hall

And the thread title should look like this:

5114 Hollis|45m|10frs|Proposed

Thks, will make the change.

EMERA owns the site beside this, could be interesting.

worldlyhaligonian · #7 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 8:10 PM**

the lower water street side?

I wish the whole area would reach its potential.

Dmajackson · #8 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 9:06 PM**

Hopefully HT won't have much of an arguement against this. Theres no historic buildings nearby and its not under a viewplane as far as i know. Of course they could argue the Water St power plant is historic and it would ruin the view of it...

Looks good though. Now all they have to do is develop that parking lot next door with the billboard in it...

Keith P. · #9 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 9:12 PM**

But isn't the building on the corner the very run-down but otherwise interesting building with the wraparound verandahs? I tohught it was owned by Victor Syperek. I can't believe the HT wouldn't scream bloody murder and I'm surprised that isn't a registered heritage property.

The proposal looks OK, pretty ordinary, maybe a 6 out of 10.

Dmajackson · #10 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

But isn't the building on the corner the very run-down but otherwise interesting building with the wraparound verandahs? I tohught it was owned by Victor Syperek. I can't believe the HT wouldn't scream bloody murder and I'm surprised that isn't a registered heritage property.

Yes its that house. No its not registered. The closet registered building is across the intersection and down two buildings (1328-1332 Hollis Street).

Jonovision · #11 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 10:23 PM**

I don't know how I feel about it. It's not anything inspiring, thats for sure. I do like the way it face the corner though. It looks to me like a combination of the new building that just went up on the south end of Barrington Street and the building built about 10 years ago just north of this site on Hollis Street. It's an ok infill project, but what's up with that roof?!

worldlyhaligonian · #12 Posted **Jun 3, 2008, 11:13 PM**

I like it, I mean its 10 stories and if its red brick will suit the Westin as you go south on Hollis. It will help complement the building next to it before, It would be visible on the skyline until a development goes in on the east corner. Would also complement the Waterford... I'm in favor, as I doubt alot of more advantageous proposals will pass undetered.

spaustin · #13 Posted **Jun 4, 2008, 2:16 AM**

Just fyi, all but 1 of the 6 old rowhouses on the other side of Morris Street are registered heritage properties as is the Pryor house that is on the other side of Hollis. Only Victor Sprycheck's rowhouse (the yellow one with all the ironwork and the roof patio) isn't registered. Heritage trust will no doubt cite these buildings in their opposition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

Hopefully HT won't have much of an arguement against this. Theres no historic buildings nearby and its not under a viewplane as far as i know. Of course they could argue the Water St power plant is historic and it would ruin the view of it...

Looks good though. Now all they have to do is develop that parking lot next door with the billboard in it...

someone123 · #14 Posted **Jun 4, 2008, 3:03 AM**

I don't think this one will be appealed by the Heritage Trust. It's quite short and has the brick cladding, etc.

I didn't know that Paramount Management ran these buildings but it was pretty clear that whoever did was not that interested in putting money into them.

It does suck to have to move frequently, and affordable housing is disappearing from this area as it becomes more upscale. Then again, parts of the North End are taking on a character similar to what the south part of Hollis was maybe 10 years ago. Not as close to the downtown and universities/hospitals/Spring Garden Road, however.

I hope NSP does something good with their lot.

spaustin · #15 Posted **Jun 4, 2008, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

I don't think this one will be appealed by the Heritage Trust. It's quite short and has the brick cladding, etc.

I didn't know that Paramount Management ran these buildings but it was pretty clear that whoever did was not that interested in putting money into them.

It does suck to have to move frequently, and affordable housing is disappearing from this area as it becomes more upscale. Then again, parts of the North End are taking on a character similar to what the south part of Hollis was maybe 10 years ago. Not as close to the downtown and universities/hospitals/Spring Garden Road, however.

I hope NSP does something good with their lot.

I kind of think they'll mount some opposition, maybe not a full court battle as they have a pretty full plate, but maybe a URB appeal. I say this because I went on their walking tour earlier this year (lots of interesting facts) and they actually stopped and paid special attention to the building. They referenced it as one that was threatened and could be further imperiled by HRM by Design. I guess the building use to be a hotel and dates back to the mid-19th century. Its not registered, but that won't concern them since its not just about what's on the registry. The building's age, the stop on the walking tour and the neighbouring heritage properties makes me think they'll be mounting some kind of fight.

Agreed about NSP, they own everything else on the block so the ball falls in their court now. Hopefully they won't try and turn it into a parking garage for their proposed new hq on the Electropolis site. That would be a big waste.

Wishblade · #16 Posted **Jun 4, 2008, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaustin

I kind of think they'll mount some opposition, maybe not a full court battle as they have a pretty full plate, but maybe a URB appeal. I say this because I went on their walking tour earlier this year (lots of interesting facts) and they actually stopped and paid special attention to the building. They referenced it as one that was threatened and could be further imperiled by HRM by Design. I guess the building use to be a hotel and dates back to the mid-19th century. Its not registered, but that won't concern them since its not just about what's on the registry. The building's age, the stop on the walking tour and the neighbouring heritage properties makes me think they'll be mounting some kind of fight.

Agreed about NSP, they own everything else on the block so the ball falls in their court now. Hopefully they won't try and turn it into a parking garage for their proposed new hq on the Electropolis site. That would be a big waste.

Sounds like your saying what your hoping and not what you really think will happen lol.

Dmajackson · #17 Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 3:23 AM**

I say paint the verandas but other than that the building looks pretty good. In my view this will simply help step down the "Alexander" to South-End levels. This will be 9 storeys shorter then the "Alexander" and three (?) storeys higher than the office building next door. Something in the block between this and Brewery Market around 13-14 storeys would really finish this nice step-down. Overall not very inspiring but not a project that should be rejected.

Jonovision · #18 Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 3:41 AM**

These renderings make me feel a lot better about this project. It looks quite nice. And the roof doesn't look as out of place. For some reason it reminds me of San Fransisco. Hope to see it go through.

someone123 · #19 Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 4:06 AM**

Based on the renderings I think this is a really solid project. Its scale is perfect for the area. It's along the lines of the somewhat-recently-completed Waterford or Letson Court.

I hope we eventually see something on the big empty lot next door.

Spitfire75 · #20 Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 2:04 PM**

Nice renderings. I really like the roof. The pink I'm not so sure about, but who knows, it might look good once it's built.