Most of the disappointment about the Hyatt Place Hotel seems to centre around it's lack of height.
While an extra couple of stories might have been nice, I, like
gehrhardt, am less concerned about the lack of height of the building as I am about creating quality infill and densification around the Avenir Centre. I think one could even argue that an overly tall building might have detracted a bit from the Avenir Centre and it's adjacent plaza.
Height however is important, and there is no question that Moncton needs more of a skyline. Personally, I would prefer if this occurred closer to the actual downtown core of the city, especially in the parking lot behind Assumption Place, and along Downing Street.
Anyone remember this vision for the west side of Downing Street? This vision included a relocated Moncton Market, a relocated Moncton Public Library and a Condo/apartment building about 15 stories tall. Notice how the increased height here takes the "edge" off the phallic brutalism of the Assumption Place tower. It creates a cluster of tall buildings rather than having taller buildings scattered throughout the downtown (and metropolitan) area. A cluster like this can create positive momentum and can serve as a nidus for additional tall buildings to be built in the immediate neighbourhood. The uptown area of SJ has a nidus like this, as well as downtown Halifax. If Moncton is to shake it's "suburban" image, we will need our own nidus.
Our nidus belongs in the centre of the core south of Main Street. The Avenir Centre neighbourhood should be allowed to densify too, but height should not be the paramount concern here........
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It's a fail. The Planning Department and Council should have been much much more selective with this location and what went on it. A 10-15 story building with a hotel on the first floors and luxury apartments on the higher levels perhaps, this is very hot right now. Such a missed opportunity, it could've been a showpiece.
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