[bluenoser]

Well, I'm certainly not this project's biggest advocate but one thing it has going for it is that it's construction activity; a project that actually went ahead without being talked about and stalled and changed around for 10-15 years or so.

My biggest issues with this project had to do with trying to steal away from the downtown but in seeing these renderings, I'm not quite as concerned (but still to a certain extent). This section may end up looking even more like a business park and less like a downtown street than I'd imagined. Of course, we'll see how the real thing ends up looking/what it feels like when it's all together.

I'm sure there was a thread for this at some point but I don't know where... I just wanted to post up a few renderings and I'm not proud enough to do it in the regular projects thread. I guess today is appropriate with the official opening of its Home Depot, Wal-Mart (alright!) and Staples.

2B:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/361889851_e45f9037b4_b.jpg

2C: This one looks pretty boring - I think some different coloured signage will go a long way
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/361889856_069e8103b1_b.jpg

2F:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/361889861_b79b0e9934_b.jpg

2G:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/361889865_54c93d40c8_b.jpg

These weren't quite what I had in mind given these inital drawings...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/361771177_e50e407cf3_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/361891731_2ddc6f6845_o.jpg

...but that second drawing might be across the brook, with the 'boutiques' and restaurants? I don't know.

Anyways..

[skyscraper_1]

I would rather see these stories go downtown, except walmart or can tire. Realistically I know that it would be impossible with the current additude on development in that area.

[Smevo]

Amazing that there's so much fuss about real, dense, healthy development downtown and nobody gives a crap about this eyesore/environmentally destructive piece of @#!&. :yuck:
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but these boxstore/outlet areas that have a significant amount of leased area that is either relocation from another such area or stores that could go in a downtown storefront (with offices/apartments above) have to stop at some point.
I admit, the original renderings didn't look as bad, but the tenants list should have been the first clue that it wasn't going to turn out that way.
Gotta love NIMBYs and suburban attitudes of the middle class (btw, I'm an outcast in my family when it comes to these views). :rolleyes:

[SpongeG]

looks like a power centre

[alps]

looks like a power centre
It is :yuck: .

http://www.dartmouthcrossing.com/media_uploads/JPG/228.JPG

http://www.dartmouthcrossing.com/media_uploads/JPG/235.JPG

http://www.dartmouthcrossing.com/media_uploads/JPG/233.JPG

(Photos from November)

[ElevatorGuy]

I know its not completed by any means but the roads up in the wal mart, homedepot area are weak. All the 4 way stops in such a tight area with only 2 lane roads. I cant even see andy wiring for traffic lights for the future. I hope this isnt the case.....

[Wishblade]

And apart from whats now being constructed in Dartmouth Crossing, I read in a chronicle herald article that this is only a fairly small part of what is planned to be constructed in the future. The planned area is well over twice the size, and future development includes additional retail, office space, and medium-high density residential.

It states that the current area under development is 81 hectares, with an additional 113 hectares planned for future development.

source:
http://www.colliersmn.com/prod/cclod.nsf/City/CF3988EBA27E3C61852572660068FF17/$File/Sobeys+committed+to+staying+at+Penhorn+Mall.pdf

[sdm]

I know its not completed by any means but the roads up in the wal mart, homedepot area are weak. All the 4 way stops in such a tight area with only 2 lane roads. I cant even see andy wiring for traffic lights for the future. I hope this isnt the case.....

I can see it becoming another Bayers lakes when it comes on congestion and traffic flow.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

The planned area is well over twice the size, and future development includes additional retail, office space, and medium-high density residential.

I guess adding residential is someones perverted idea of mixed use.

This city REALLY has to stop expanding outwards. Developments like this are pretty tough to service with transit, and continue to suck investment from more urban areas of the municipality.

[bluenoser]

Some more 'shops at Dartmouth Crossing' renderings, in the section leading up to the theatres.

In the words of Sean Connery, 'I'm waiting to be impressed'.

3N:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/381103704_2124ed0bc4_o.jpg

3M:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/98/381103714_c51021cbf5_o.jpg

3L:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/381103715_52f823b28e_o.jpg

3K:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/381103723_1b68757eca_o.jpg

A little colour could go a long way. Also, a little more variety.

Whatever.

[Smevo]

blah blah cookie cutter blah. another bayer's lake and more suburban sprawl, neither of which is needed. :(

[kwajo]

You should consider yourself lucky, we have a very similar thing going up in Saint John and I'd be thrilled if they were turning out as good as those renderings. Unfortunately they're even worse, not to mention they carved out and flattened the side of a hill to build it all. And again same issue, I wish that money and development was going uptown, not toward furthering urban sprawl and destruction of green space. Yuck.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

I would rather see these stories go downtown, except walmart or can tire.

Personally I woulndn't mind either one of those stores downtown. With some HUGE provisions of course. If they plunked themselves into downtown like Atlantic Superstore did on Barrington Street than obviously no. But if they were to incorporate into downtown in a more urban way (no surface parking, good architecture, embracing the street) than why not? I don't see why downtown only needs small retailers like MEC as anchors.

I know that sounds like a pipe dream but if we're to grow the downtown as a residential/retail location than it might be something to think about.

[kwajo]

I think the problem is with those stores themselves. WalMart doesn't like compromising its basic store shape and style. They want all stores to be instantly recognizable, and this has meant that in general they have stayed out of inner cities. I'm not certain, but I would bet that something like lack of surface parking would bust the deal from Wal Mart's perspective.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Clearly big boxes downtown aren't something we will be seeing any time soon. Maybe that is for the better.

WalMart is the hardest to envision downtown, because of the points you mentioned, and the fact that their customer base would be generally suburban.

Ideally stores like the Bay or Sears moving back downtown would be a welcome change but again there are lots of factors pointing against that. I'm not sure we'll see a really vibrant downtown retail scene until we start seeing more than fashion, books, and specialty stores downtown. That's a very small part of the overall market.

[Smevo]

I doubt any of the big boxes would move downtown, but I don't see why a lot of the smaller stores and boutiques couldn't. They themselves would go a long way to revitalizing downtowns in a lot of areas where they're in these sprawl-centres instead.

[kwajo]

Clearly big boxes downtown aren't something we will be seeing any time soon. Maybe that is for the better.

WalMart is the hardest to envision downtown, because of the points you mentioned, and the fact that their customer base would be generally suburban.

Ideally stores like the Bay or Sears moving back downtown would be a welcome change but again there are lots of factors pointing against that. I'm not sure we'll see a really vibrant downtown retail scene until we start seeing more than fashion, books, and specialty stores downtown. That's a very small part of the overall market.
I agree. I would welcome a return of department stores into downtown retail areas. The move toward periphery shopping I think has hurt retailers like The Bay and Sears, and it might be good for them to return to the city centre and have nice multi-story stores instead of the sprawling single-level type that have become the norm.