Well, the perception that we can't move forward and are caught in a ridiculous argument that should have ended 3 decades ago.
Just thought I'd put in the article from the Chronicle Herald. It's easier to reference when it's posted. Also this article gives the impression that the development has to go before council and the heritage groups. But all they need are building permits, which are taken out from staff at city hall.
Tall order for downtown Halifax
22-storey tower one of two proposed office projects
By STEVE PROCTOR and AMY PUGSLEY FRASER Staff Reporters
Thu. Jul 3 - 5:04 AM
The Halifax streetscape could look very different in a few years if two significant office building projects announced this week come to fruition.
ECL Developments, a subsidiary of Sobey-controlled Empire Co. Ltd., released plans Wednesday for a 22-storey office tower at the north end of the Granville Mall.
The announcement came just hours after developer Louis Resnick said he will be unveiling plans for a 16-storey office building for his Barrington Street Roy Building early next week.
Donald Clow, president of ECL, said the company has had the right to develop the "triangle property" for more than 20 years, but until recently the economics for development were not in place.
"The office vacancy rate in Halifax has never been lower," he said in a telephone interview. "The international interest in Halifax as a financial centre has never been stronger. The local economy is doing well, and we’ve had interest from local businesses, so the time seems right."
The 450,000-square-foot development will be devoted mainly to premium office space but will include a hotel and some retail shops. Construction plans focus on quality and environmentally sustainable technologies.
The Toronto architectural firm Zeidler Partnership Architects designed the flatiron-inspired building with soft lines of transparent glass that Mr. Clow said respects history but brings a sophisticated and modern structure to Halifax.
"We feel this building represents not only the future of the downtown, but also hope its presence will help to increase economic activity by bringing more people to work, shop, eat, and explore the history and variety of downtown Halifax."
International Place, as the building will be known, should help satisfy current and pro-jected demand for high-end office space in the central business district and will accommodate tenant parking in an underground facility, said Mr. Clow. The company is working with "a number of hoteliers" to develop the hotel component of the project, he said. The company met with Halifax Regional Municipality and officials with Halifax by Design in developing the building and has made changes based on their advice. It has not met with any heritage or special interest groups but would be open to do so, said Mr. Clow.
The project will be marketed in New York, Dublin, Bermuda and other jurisdiction where the province has had success in attracting financial services.
Mr. Resnick’s plan calls for a 233-foot building that would also incorporate properties that Resnick owns along Sackville and Granville streets, currently the headquarters for a travel agency and a hair salon.
The development will provide plenty of opportunities for retail, a crucial element for fitting in along Barrington Street, said the head of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.
"We do know that Barrington Street is primarily a retail street, so any sort of influx of office development has to be sensitive to that," Paul MacKinnon said Wednesday.
The area certainly could benefit from an influx of on-site shoppers, Mr. MacKinnon said.
"Having more people on Barrington is a good idea," he said.
Phil Pacey, the president of Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, wasn’t available for an interview Wednesday, but the developer said he’s sensitive to the historic nature of the street, where he owns several other properties.
"We have tremendous interest in preserving Barrington Street and the historic values of it," Mr. Resnick said in an interview from Toronto, noting he’s keen to work with heritage groups through the development agreement process. "It’s quite important to us."
The area is subject to a 40-foot height restriction under existing municipal planning policies, city planner Paul Sampson said in an interview. Anything higher than that has to go before regional council for a decision.
The first step was Wednesday’s public information meeting; then comes an examination by council’s advisory committees on heritage and planning. After that, regional council will decide whether a public hearing and its own debate will be held on the development.
Mr. Clow would not comment on the projected cost of his project. He said the company has applied for a development permit, but the timetable for construction will depend on the response to marketing efforts.
International Place would be ECL’s second major downtown development in recent years. In 2007, ECL completed the development of the Martello Condominiums off Spring Garden Road.
(
sproctor@herald.ca)
(
apugsley@herald.ca)
Prev
Linear Mode
