[someone123]

Condominium project for the corner of Gottingen and Falkland:

http://www.falklandcondos.com/images/index_falkland.jpg

Rendering from http://www.falklandcondos.com/.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

That's not a very attractive building, hopefully it isn't pink.

[phrenic]

That's not a very attractive building, hopefully it isn't pink.

That's probably a safe bet.

[Keith P.]

I read that Mickey MacDonald bought the building next door that contains MenzBar and gave them an eviction notice. He plans to tear it down to use as parking for his boxing gym project in the old theater next door.

[terrynorthend]

I read that Mickey MacDonald bought the building next door that contains MenzBar and gave them an eviction notice. He plans to tear it down to use as parking for his boxing gym project in the old theater next door.

That's a shame, the cafe below it, Mollyz Diner, is a nice place. It put a little class in the neighbourhood. The torch will have to pass to Razzy's, LOL.

[phrenic]

That's a shame, the cafe below it, Mollyz Diner, is a nice place. It put a little class in the neighbourhood. The torch will have to pass to Razzy's, LOL.

Awwww, I can't say I've been in Menzbar, but Mollyz is a great little spot. That's too bad.

[Commoner]

What's with the little half moon thing above the row of windows along the right hand side? why do they keep trying to hide that it's a box by putting something like that on? looks awful! what about a penthouse unit stepped back at the top, with a roof top deck looking out toward the harbour?

[someone123]

They've overhauled the website and it seems like the units are being marketed pretty heavily. No idea how many are sold or what the construction schedule is. Has anybody been by the site recently?

[Jonovision]

I go by the site all the time on the bus and no change. Still the signboard is up with that same paint splatter that's been there since xmas.

[phrenic]

I wonder how sales are going. There are still tonnes of units listed on mls.ca

[worldlyhaligonian]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2476027531_f4cb7f22fa_o.jpg

(Credit: ve1nsx on Flickr)

[someone123]

Doesn't look hugely encouraging but who knows?

[phrenic]

I've often pondered if the architects put the entrance on Falkland street purely to avoid the building having a Gottingen St address.

[spaustin]

I've often pondered if the architects put the entrance on Falkland street purely to avoid the building having a Gottingen St address.

The same thought has crossed my mind :)

[someone123]

Definitely they would want to market it as Falkland Street and not Gottingen.

That's the whole reason "Novalea Drive" was created.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Anybody know how sales are going, when construction is forecasted to start.

[Jonovision]

Construction has started. The site is fenced off and there are large piles of dirt and big holes everywhere.

[someone123]

I agree that this is not the best looking project but it is fairly significant because of where it is in the city. It also has what looks like ground floor retail space and is being built on an empty lot, so it can't be called a loss for the street. The fact is that nothing major has been built by a private developer on Gottingen for a very long time. The only project that might qualify is the architects' office down the street, which was probably a bit of a charity thing.

I'd love for Gottingen to become a lively commercial street again. It would add a lot to the city to have another viable urban district. Right now it has some good businesses but overall feels very run down.

[spaustin]

I agree that this is not the best looking project but it is fairly significant because of where it is in the city. It also has what looks like ground floor retail space and is being built on an empty lot, so it can't be called a loss for the street. The fact is that nothing major has been built by a private developer on Gottingen for a very long time. The only project that might qualify is the architects' office down the street, which was probably a bit of a charity thing.

I'd love for Gottingen to become a lively commercial street again. It would add a lot to the city to have another viable urban district. Right now it has some good businesses but overall feels very run down.

I agree completely. This ones importance isn't in the project, it's where it's located.

[someone123]

Anybody know how construction is progressing?

[phrenic]

I walked by the other day and while I didn't have a camera with me, I can say that they had started pouring the foundation and concrete columns were up to grade in some spots.

[someone123]

I hope this turns out well and spurs some more development in the area.

It seems like the whole area is slowly starting to realise a little more of its potential. Gottingen won't ever be that great while the public housing is there in its current state but it can at least become half decent while Agricola also grows up into more of a real commercial street.

I hope someday we see a major development on the former Sobey's site. The tower at Cogswell and Brunswick should help a bit as well.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Yeah, I'm pumped to see renders of the Trinity proposal. Your recent Flickr post of Spice shows what an impact the tower will have on the skyline and how it will help "sew the north end back to downtown".

[Jonovision]

What pictures are those? Can someone post a link?

[someone123]

I posted this in the Spice thread. I'm also looking forward to the Trinity proposal and think it would have a big impact:

---

Recent photo from Flickr (taken by m.d.h. - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8362246@N07/) that shows some of the cladding being put up:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2718651090_03e26ef95a_b.jpg

You can also see Armoury Square and some new townhouses.

[Wishblade]

I've heard that they've started on the actual structure now. Apparently its coming along quite quickly.

[phrenic]

I was by today and to be honest I don't even know what was what. Concrete columns were poured and cast from grade to the 2nd level, although no work on the second floor had begun. But there are still mounds and mounds of dirt everywhere that hasn't been cleared away with concrete being poured all around and below it.

Not the same project, but the former Menz Bar/Mollyz next door is completed demolished and all debris has been removed to make way for Mickey MacDonald's parking lot.

[phrenic]

I stand corrected. Steel framing for part of the second floor is up.

[Jonovision]

Someone should change the thread title to under construction.

[someone123]

Here is a picture of the construction site:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2786411501_64362276eb_o.png

[Bedford_DJ]

Has anybody been around this area lately? The last time is was near it they were wotking on the second floor structure.

[spaustin]

This is one I'm really keen on. The building is so-so but getting something new and significant built on Gottingen is a really good thing. I wonder how they're selling? On MLS (awesome new changes to their site by the way) their are 32 listings for the building. I don't know if that's high for a project at this point or not?

[Keith P.]

This is one I'm really keen on. The building is so-so but getting something new and significant built on Gottingen is a really good thing. I wonder how they're selling? On MLS (awesome new changes to their site by the way) their are 32 listings for the building. I don't know if that's high for a project at this point or not?

The new MLS website is awesomely bad. Terrible design, impossible to find anything without lots of effort, awful interface.

[spaustin]

The new MLS website is awesomely bad. Terrible design, impossible to find anything without lots of effort, awful interface.

I just really love the map feature. Instead of having to search based on arbitrarily drawn lines like the old system you can actually look what's in the immediate area. Makes it easy to identify what's for sale in a particular area. Seems like a big improvement to me.

[Haliguy]

Uapdated pic from today

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j260/a_gallant/IMG_0019_1.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

I thought this would be a lot further along by now...

[Haliguy]

Yeah it does seem to be taking a while, but I think it will go along pretty fast now. The first few floors usually takes longer.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I walked by today and things were going full steam ahead, they were on the third floor, but had done a significant amount of work in preparation for the exterior.

If the weather cooperates this development should have alot done before winter hits.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I drove by today and it looked to be topped out. I hope the exterior starts up soon.

[terrynorthend]

I drove by today and it looked to be topped out. I hope the exterior starts up soon.

I believe they have to finish the floor they are currently on, then one more atop that, 6 in total.

[Takeo]

I believe they have to finish the floor they are currently on, then one more atop that, 6 in total.

I bet it will be finished before Spice is. LOL.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I bet the faux Keystone will look tacky.

[Bedford_DJ]

Don't know if anybody's mentioned this before but according to ads in the paper the occupancy date is now for Fall 2009 which is on track with the pace of the development.

[Bedford_DJ]

I drove by this one tonight and it looked a lot bigger than I was expecting.

[Bedford_DJ]

I was once again past this tonight. They appear to be finishing off the sixth floor and it looked like there was a tiny bit of wall up on the Gottigen side.

[Jringe01]

I was once again past this tonight. They appear to be finishing off the sixth floor and it looked like there was a tiny bit of wall up on the Gottigen side.

any new updates on this? anyone have some pics or planning on taking some? :-)

[Jonovision]

I don't have any pics but was by the site this week. The building is now completely topped out including the elevator shaft and the walls are now being built. Still no side of cladding though.

[Jringe01]

I don't have any pics but was by the site this week. The building is now completely topped out including the elevator shaft and the walls are now being built. Still no side of cladding though.

Cool...just a matter of time now.
I'm so glad thay someone decided to fill up that lot. It's nice to see that the Gottigen area isn't immune to the city's building boom. :-)

[Bedford_DJ]

Construction is coming along nicely on this one. Photo taken by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3361154922_856c888c1a_b.jpg

[Jonovision]

The view from my house.

http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/32775/2260908290096709958S600x600Q85.jpg

[Jonovision]

Yesterday

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/10196/2322299710096709958S600x600Q85.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

Photos by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3663589559_1b8a8cd957_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3663591589_1ed937621e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3664395052_959001f616_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3663594869_62efa01a3f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3664396786_03bb64205a_b.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

This thing is taking a long time to complete. THey still haven't begun work on the ground floor facade.

BTW can someone explain to me why there is a brick wall in the middle of the building ...

[HaliStreaks]

This thing is taking a long time to complete. THey still haven't begun work on the ground floor facade.

BTW can someone explain to me why there is a brick wall in the middle of the building ...

I haven't really been paying attention to this one, so I don't really know what you mean... if it's like a cinder block wall, it's more than likely some sort of firewall.

[Bedford_DJ]

I haven't really been paying attention to this one, so I don't really know what you mean... if it's like a cinder block wall, it's more than likely some sort of firewall.

It might be a cinder block wall for all I know. Its a light-brown colour.

[planarchy]

Yesterday

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/10196/2322299710096709958S600x600Q85.jpg

Great shot.

Look at all those overhead wires. You'd think the city had electric buses or streetcars

[Jonovision]

They are putting that crap fake stone facade on the front. It's taking quite a while too. I don't think this is gonna be all that great once its finished.

[terrynorthend]

They are putting that crap fake stone facade on the front. It's taking quite a while too. I don't think this is gonna be all that great once its finished.

Agreed. I like the brown siding they started cladding the sides and back with, then they crapped it all up with the fake stone...

[Jonovision]

I took these on monday.

This is the one part of the building that I do actually like.

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/44590/2065490070096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2065490070096709958gTYpWP)

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/42613/2261940100096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2261940100096709958ztMado)

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/21789/2937317900096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2937317900096709958tBMrhJ)

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/43872/2491909880096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2491909880096709958KSznRP)

It's this crap on the front that ruins it.

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/43011/2491382930096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2491382930096709958hjWfGa)

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/45925/2188568030096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2188568030096709958iDwFrO)

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/43049/2978042330096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2978042330096709958iqukWC)

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/29774/2204938110096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2204938110096709958afqjwS)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/1851/2305383610096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2305383610096709958TbgjYx)

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/45673/2362400260096709958S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2362400260096709958wpyfLA)

[eastcoastal]

Ugh - the stone look tile is hideous.

[Keith P.]

Maybe they can change it to 5505 Fauxland St. :cool:

[Jonovision]

I was by this one today and they have clad the front curve part of the facade and wow! You guys thought this building was bad before......your gonna hate it even more! They put on the arts and crafts type of panelling that you can see on that other really crappy building up near the hydrostone. I'll take some pics maybe next week. I'm super busy this week.

[Bedford_DJ]

I was by this one today and they have clad the front curve part of the facade and wow! You guys thought this building was bad before......your gonna hate it even more! They put on the arts and crafts type of panelling that you can see on that other really crappy building up near the hydrostone. I'll take some pics maybe next week. I'm super busy this week.

I'll be in the area tomorrow so I'll probably get some pics.

BTW do you mean the building next to 5552 Kaye or Hydrostone Place?

[worldlyhaligonian]

This building is shit, I can't believe after installing that red siding and then the fake stone they also included board and batten. It makes no sense and using one of the 3 materials would have been better than this monster.

[Jonovision]

I feel sorry for the architect of this building......if there even was one.....

[Empire]

This building is shit, I can't believe after installing that red siding and then the fake stone they also included board and batten. It makes no sense and using one of the 3 materials would have been better than this monster.

When is HRM planning going to have enough clout to prevent this type of eyesore.

[Keith P.]

Do we know which architecture firm to blame for this? Just for future reference...

[JET]

Is the architect the culprit? At least in the original renderings (see the first posts) the exterior was a "consistent", albeit uninspiring color. Now it's a strange mixture. Three Moe's involved? JET

[Takeo]

Fake stone is the new Vinyl Siding. It must be banned. The Architect of this disaster should be relegated to working on KFC's and Suburban pool houses and sheds. Don't hire this company... whoever they are. This building is the architectural equivalent of a cut and paste ransom note. It's bad enough to use fake stone... but to then combine it with wood siding and board and batten?!?! WTF!

p.s. Yes... I recall the building looking half decent in the 3d renderings. What happened?!

[Bedford_DJ]

Yesterday (photos by me);

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3882500788_470eca45d4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3881705737_803cd06bdf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3881707563_189c17c693_b.jpg

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Fake stone is the new Vinyl Siding. It must be banned. The Architect of this disaster should be relegated to working on KFC's and Suburban pool houses and sheds. Don't hire this company... whoever they are. This building is the architectural equivalent of a cut and paste ransom note. It's bad enough to use fake stone... but to then combine it with wood siding and board and batten?!?! WTF!

On the smallest of bright sides at least the finishes are some of the least permanent parts of a building. Maybe in twenty years when this thing is due for renovations things will improve a little. Until then just another sack of shit building built in Halifax in the last ten years.

EDIT: What's the plan for street level? Because right now it looks like concrete pillars, concrete blocks and a wierd overhang are the plan. If that is the case, how hard is it to get basic urbanism right?

[JET]

OPEN HOUSE,, Sunday 1-4 JET

[worldlyhaligonian]

On the smallest of bright sides at least the finishes are some of the least permanent parts of a building. Maybe in twenty years when this thing is due for renovations things will improve a little. Until then just another sack of shit building built in Halifax in the last ten years.

EDIT: What's the plan for street level? Because right now it looks like concrete pillars, concrete blocks and a wierd overhang are the plan. If that is the case, how hard is it to get basic urbanism right?

Lol, I have future hopes for alot of buildings in Halifax in terms of their exteriors... The form of this building is good, but i wish they went with the red material everywhere.

[Jonovision]

This is now visible peaking above the trees and buildings when viewed from the MacDonald Bridge.

[JET]

Speaking of views from the bridge; what is large and wrapped in plastic accross the street from Spice? Something at the dockyards? JET

[hfx_chris]

Is it at the dockyard? Probably the Synchrolift.
Unless you're talking about something different.

[JET]

Is it at the dockyard? Probably the Synchrolift.
Unless you're talking about something different.

Driving down Ochterloney it appears to be directly accross from Spice, but It's too far away to locate it precisely. Almost as tall as spice, but narrow and wrapped in plastic. Shuttle launch maybe? JET

[beyeas]

Speaking of views from the bridge; what is large and wrapped in plastic accross the street from Spice? Something at the dockyards? JET

If it is what I think you are meaning, that is the sub that had the fire a few years back. It is basically mothballed and in semi-permanent dry-dock right now (hence the wrapping).

[kph06]

If it is what I think you are meaning, that is the sub that had the fire a few years back. It is basically mothballed and in semi-permanent dry-dock right now (hence the wrapping).

The Chicoutimi left port in the early spring on the back of a semi submersible transport ship headed for BC. The thing that is wrapped is one of the dock cranes.

[Jonovision]

No, its one of the cranes. Although the wrapping came off this week and the scaffolding is on its way down. I think they were giving it a new paint job. It was wrapped for the better part of the month.

[beyeas]

The Chicoutimi left port in the early spring on the back of a semi submersible transport ship headed for BC. The thing that is wrapped is one of the dock cranes.

OOPS! My mistake. :)

[JDnav]

Hi, im seriously considering buying a place here. a couple questions if theres anyone out there who could fill me in on a couple of things thatd be great.

I know farther down the street around uniac square it wouldnt be there smartest place to buy but what is the neighborhood like around this building? bad area for a late night drunk walk from dt?

anyone know if parking spots are included in price/condo fees?

when the building is completed or when are the open houses?

[worldlyhaligonian]

you should e-mail the guy who calls himself "halifax real estate guy", i'm sure he knows about the project from a buyers perspective.

dude was making videos of the baller developments though, so i can't say for certain.

i wanna see the trinity development!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jonovision]

I don't think its a bad neighbourhood at all. My partner lives just down the street in Cunard Court and I've walked the areas at all times of the day and night. And you have the Paragon across the street which is busy many nights as well as the neighbourhood farther up Falkland which is full of students, and artistic types. I would say its a great place to live.

[spaustin]

The area is gentrifying rapidly, especially down at that southern end of Gottingen. You're far enough away from the Square that it wouldn't be a big enough concern for me to not buy in. Probably your property value stands a good chance of increasing as the area sheds its bad reputation. I would be more influenced by the terrible ugly building that 5505 Falkland turned out to be! A little piece of my soul would die every day that I came home to that thing.

[Jonovision]

I would be more influenced by the terrible ugly building that 5505 Falkland turned out to be! A little piece of my soul would die every day that I came home to that thing.

I agree. I don't know if I could buy into a project that looks like such crap! Someone has to stand up for good design in this city.

[Bedford_DJ]

Today;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4109514377_e302c00754_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4109516605_f69bc2cdba_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/4110283648_6df9f93ed1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4110286166_be69da788d_b.jpg

[someone123]

You know, this isn't as bad as I had expected based on earlier comments in this thread. It could have been much nicer, but it's better than the parking lot.

[fenwick16]

I think this actually fits well into that neighbourhood.

[Bedford_DJ]

I have no complaints other than what is clearly going to become a small suface parking lot on the Falkland side of the building.

Does anyone know if the two doors along Gottigen are going to become commercial sites because it appeared to me that the residential entrance is along Falkland Street ...

[hfx_chris]

I actually think this looks pretty good.
Which is nice, considering the rendering was ugly as sin.

[JET]

You know, this isn't as bad as I had expected based on earlier comments in this thread. It could have been much nicer, but it's better than the parking lot.

I think that I like the parking lot better than the front. Too much conflicting materials on the front. JET

[Bedford_DJ]

Completely done and looking pretty good;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4231736769_1c0e0d0f50_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2634/4232507832_455443456a_b.jpg

[fenwick16]

This one looks good to me. It has some interesting features.

[alps]

Cladding is a liiittle ugly, but overall, I like it. I wouldn't mind living in one of those corner units. Should be good for the area - looking forward to see it with the retail signage in. Thanks for all the photos!

[Empire]

I would be more influenced by the terrible ugly building that 5505 Falkland turned out to be! A little piece of my soul would die every day that I came home to that thing.

I agree.
- The brown cladding and windows are very cheap and cheap looking.
- The mechanical room on the roof is as ugly as you can possibly get.
- The faux stone and cheap cladding clash
- The octagonal porthole windows clash with everything
- Street level is far too basic. The brick and tile don't seem to have anything to do with the rest of the building and don't work on their own
- I do like the steel balcony railings but the balcony slabs need a finish on the underside...drivit maybe.

The area is gentrifying rapidly and this is good because the property values need to increase. Then hopefully these mid-size economy structures will start to have more thought put into them and be built with higher quality materials. At the moment this type of building is flying under the radar because they are 6 fl and under. Hopefully the new design review committee for HRM by design will address this unfortunate trend.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

It's certainly ugly in many ways, but I think the biggest problem is at street level. Visually the lower level doesn't look like inviting store fronts. The vertical windows and pillars give the impression of office space more than anything and individual doors don't appear to line up with any particular "storefront". It appears chaotic at street level, unlike other retail on Gottingen.

[someone123]

True, they're not storefront windows and the ground floor looks very low-slung. These problems are common with new buildings in Halifax.

[haligonia]

This building could have turned out so much better if the developers had hired a real architect. This could have been a super modern condo building that is somewhat unique in terms of architectural design, because I think that the area it was built in is already so unique and diverse. But, then again, I highly doubt that condo buyers on Gottingen(not Falkland;)) can afford a higher level of quality.