[Dartmouth] Ocean Breeze Village A & B (400-406 PMB) | 2x46 m | 2x14 Fl | U/C

[Dmajackson]

The new owners of Ocean Breeze Village are planning to demolish the existing buildings over the next few years, subdivide the land, and sell the new lots to developers to build up to 3'400 units as-of-right. The first set of demolition permits were submitted this week. Buildings 11,12,14 on the parcel next to BIO and Hudson Way will be the first to be removed.

[rdaner]

This is such a great location!

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

It's a fantastic location. With a ferry terminal at Shannon Park and a replacement bridge for the MacKay that has an active transportation option it'll be even better. It's nice to see Halifax interfacing better with its harbour from a public/average citizen perspective. When I first moved to Halifax in the late 90's I would ask folks why it was so difficult to access the harbour and often I'd get a response something like "it's a working harbour" which was somehow supposed to be an explanation.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

The new owners of Ocean Breeze Village are planning to demolish the existing buildings over the next few years, subdivide the land, and sell the new lots to developers to build up to 3'400 units as-of-right. The first set of demolition permits were submitted this week. Buildings 11,12,14 on the parcel next to BIO and Hudson Way will be the first to be removed.

When they first announced their development plans they promised they'd be doing it in a phased approach, and would move residents from the upcoming phase into completed phases. Doesn't sound like they're going to keep to that...

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Here's a 'before' pic of Ocean Breeze taken from the basin...

20240619_194022 by AJ Forsythe, on Flickr

[Musicman Halifax]

They have started demolition of some of the buildings on site.

[Dmajackson]

The first development-only permit has been submitted for this redevelopment!

400 PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD, DARTMOUTH - 2X14 FLOORS - RESIDENTIAL WITH GF COMMERCIAL

[Dmajackson]

Building permit has been submitted. 400 PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD - 14 FLOORS - 159 UNITS

[Dmajackson]

Another building permit has been submitted. So combined;

400-406 PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD - 2x14 FLOORS - 318 UNITS TOTAL

[IslaFoster]

Exciting to see progress at Ocean Breeze Village!

[Dmajackson]

There is a very vague Site Plan for this development in the Administrative Order 50 Package that is going to Regional Council this week. The developers are planning to close Ryan Gate.

[kph06]

There is a CMP for the first two buildings available on HRM's site, no greater detail on design though.
GRADEALT-2025-03732 400 Princes Margaret Blvd - redacted

There is an overall site rendering on the developer's website:

Source

[Keith P.]

Man, that looks dense. Are these supposed to be "affordable"? If so I do not look forward to what life there might end up looking like.

I'm sure all the residents will do well coming and going through the level crossing at the CN main line on the single access road too.

[Dartguard]

It actually looks like a business park. There are no open spaces let alone any schools or other public investments. Hmmm

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

It doesn't look like much effort was put into this mock-up. Perhaps it's just an exercise in site massing? Slimmer and taller buildings would perhaps look better. It's such a beautiful site and well located so it'd be a shame to turn it into something ugly. The two initial buildings look fine.

Hopefully there'll be some affordable units...

Arts Degree by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr

I read recently that the average monthly rent for a one bedroom is now in excess of $1,900.00 which far exceeds 30% of the lower end salary as noted in the pic above.

I took a walk in this area last summer. I'll post some pics below. I suggest it's time to start planning for some proper parkland for the soon to be large population in the area. The lot along the basin adjacent to Ocean Breeze seems to be multi-zoned though if I understand correctly the overall intent is harbour related industrial. The smaller lot to the north of the adjacent lot retains some WWII remnants. I wonder if the adjacent lot has ever hosted a building or has it been vacant since Halifax was founded?

IMG-20250727-WA0015 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


IMG-20250727-WA0019 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


IMG-20250727-WA0031 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


IMG-20250727-WA0041 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


Basin Park by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


WCSPS by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


Basin Park a by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


The area circled in green above is zoned OS/conservation and it extends over to the tidal salt marsh to the north.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

AllNS has a story on Ocean Breeze Village in today's edition. Apparently 6 of the 36 lots are now sold. You can google "Ocean Breeze Village" and find a booklet on the site from which I grabbed a couple of screenshots. All building heights, type, # of units, are prescribed and listed in this booklet along with a few more pics and additional info.

OBV1 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr


OBV2 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr

What I don't see is any obvious AT routes/links through or to/from a newly revamped Windmill Road AT lane (planned) or Shannon Park/ferry (planned...maybe) or Wright's Cove Transit Terminal/Harbour Isle.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Village? Who names these things?

[Colin May]

No AT routes because we don't live in Holland, a nice country in the 1960's. The proposed development lacks sufficient play space, has no visual appeal, too windy and the dream of a fast ferry is a financial nightmare.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by Colin May

No AT routes because we don't live in Holland, a nice country in the 1960's. The proposed development lacks sufficient play space, has no visual appeal, too windy and the dream of a fast ferry is a financial nightmare.

Too windy? Because "breeze" is in the name? lol

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Originally Posted by Colin May

No AT routes because we don't live in Holland, a nice country in the 1960's. The proposed development lacks sufficient play space, has no visual appeal, too windy and the dream of a fast ferry is a financial nightmare.

I agree that Too Windy Estates...errrr...., I mean Ocean Breeze Village could use more recreational space. I'd extend the focus of need for recreational space from Shannon Park to Harbour Isle inclusive. In the pick below, the area circled in red I addressed in a post a day or two ago. The area circled in green is zoned as (C) conservation area. This area, with it's little lake, stream and woods would be an excellent addition to HRM public park space. Currently the approx. 1km perimetre walking path/trail at Harbour Isle gets plenty of use by the working folks of Burnside as well as residents in the area. I'd like to see these three 'villages' connected. It strikes me that other cities in Canada would kill for this sort of landscape/space. We've got SO much coastline where people don't live.



Basin Park b by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr