[someone123]

A new proposal is listed on the HRM website for 5552 Kaye, which is the empty lot across from the Hydrostone Market near Isleville Street.

A preliminary report can be found here: http://www.halifax.ca/planning/documents/Case01113FactSheetPIM.pdf

No rendering is available but the report says that the building will be seven storeys with ground floor retail, a level of office space above, and then 30 residential units in the five upper levels.

[Bedford_DJ]

The architecture is the same one who designed the lofts at the former Grenvale School and the Villas at Mont Blanc

[someone123]

I hope this turns out to be a bit nicer than Mont Blanc. It's actually a pretty prominent site in an area that's seeing a relatively high amount of development. This will be the third development on that block in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, the Hydrostone Suites at the other end of the block are not very attractive. I also think the lack of ground floor retail was unfortunate given the fact that the Hydrostone Market's right across the street. Thankfully, this proposal includes ground floor retail.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

I hope this turns out to be a bit nicer than Mont Blanc. It's actually a pretty prominent site in an area that's seeing a relatively high amount of development. This will be the third development on that block in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, the Hydrostone Suites at the other end of the block are not very attractive. I also think the lack of ground floor retail was unfortunate given the fact that the Hydrostone Market's right across the street. Thankfully, this proposal includes ground floor retail.


The Hydrostone Suites aren't very nice at all, neither is the building going up on the corner of Isleville and Russell. This project is mixed-use retail/office/residential so hopefully this is a little more ambitious developer who will create a nice building.

This area is such a great part of town, with the hydrostones and easy access to downtown. There are lots of small parking lots and under-utilized sites and if people want to fill them in with low/mid-rise buildings than I think it's awesome.

[someone123]

Anybody been by this site lately? It's an as-of-right development so there's nothing on the HRM website.

[Takeo]

The Hyrdostone Suites are a hideous monster... a bad parody of the Hydrostone Market design. So bad. And that tall central window that doesn't really end right at the roof line... it looks so horrible. And that giant concrete podium the whole thing sits on. And the horribly cheap and ugly board and baton cladding. Good lord. It really is a completely and utter disaster. It's in the running for one of the worst residential apartment building designs on the Peninsula... if you ask me.

As for the building on Russell... all I can say is... I won't be paying big bucks to live behind Olands. Holy. Who could live with that stink! I'm not sure what I think of the design. It seems... I don't know... very out of place. It looks kind of like Miami Florida Deco or something. Very odd. I really don't like the curved corner balconies. Tacky.

[terrynorthend]

The Hyrdostone Suites are a hideous monster... a bad parody of the Hydrostone Market design. So bad. And that tall central window that doesn't really end right at the roof line... it looks so horrible. And that giant concrete podium the whole thing sits on. And the horribly cheap and ugly board and baton cladding. Good lord. It really is a completely and utter disaster. It's in the running for one of the worst residential apartment building designs on the Peninsula... if you ask me.


I agree, but only so far. I think the building had/has tremendous potential. The mansard roof is terrible. I really don't know what they were thinking. More thought could be put into a peaked or flat roof with some nice detailing. On the other hand, I love the large glass curtain on the east elevation. Its particularly striking when coming up Kaye street, and evokes the churches and (nunnery?) that surround it. The concrete podium is hideous and unfinished looking... but nothing a little careful landscaping couldn't remedy.

As well I would have preferred to see mixed use/ground floor retail, and orienting the focus of the building northward, towards the Hydrostone Market. The residential entrance would be centered on this elevation with a nice restaurant with an outdoor patio on the podium wrapping eastward around the Novalea side. A couple of boutiques could round out the ground floor to the west. Who wants to live with a ground floor balcony right there anyways? Yikes, that's just a break-in waiting to happen.

Add to that the development of the Kaye/Isleview corner and the Hydrostone and little triangular park take on a whole new life! One could get really ambitious and complement with a likewise development on the third face of the park (across Novalea)

[Keith P.]

No progress to report. I took some shots of the site today:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0421.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0424.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0423.jpg


This is the somewhat odd-looking building just down the block:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0422.jpg


I took a quick shot of Hydrostone Suites while I was there:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/keith_p/DSCF0420.jpg

Don't like it much.

[Takeo]

On the other hand, I love the large glass curtain on the east elevation. Its particularly striking when coming up Kaye street, and evokes the churches and (nunnery?) that surround it.

Take a look at the top of that curtain wall... it is completely unresolved. Looks like a mistake. The whole building is a parody of the Hyrdostone Market. And the board and batten... ugh. I have nothing good to say about this building.

[terrynorthend]

I agree totally. What I am saying is fix the roof then, not the window.

[Takeo]

I agree totally. What I am saying is fix the roof then, not the window.

Oh ya... the window itself is cool. I just don't know what they were thinking with the execution. It looks unfinished / awkward at the roofline.

[reddog794]

It looks like there should be two or three more floors, on top of what's there. Takeo, you took the words right outta my mouth.

Nice pics Keith btw. I like that funky building, I usually hate block street walls. They've always looked fake to me, no matter how you dress it up, but it's that open area. It looks like it has equal width to the wall, and creates an interesting entrance. I really want to see that building next time I'm home.

[Jonovision]

This is a new development across from the Hydrostone Market. It doesn't look too bad. Probably better then the couple of buildings that have gone up in that area lately. It still has yet o go before council.

http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case01113Details.html

[terrynorthend]

Not bad. Seems appropriate for the area. I like that it has ground floor commercial..too bad the one just to its east didn't. (can't remember the name..Hydrostone Place? Hydrostone Suites?..god i hope they don't tack "hydrostone" onto the name of this one, i'll never keep them straight)

[Bedford_DJ]

I welcome it. Nothing fancy but the Hydrostone doesn't need anything fancy now anyways.

[worldlyhaligonian]

yeah, we get what we can.

[someone123]

There were duplicate threads so I merged them together.

Nice to finally see renderings. This design is a step up from the other new buildings in the area and I think its scale and mixed use are appropriate.

I really like how mid-scale infill is spreading to different parts of the city that up until now have mostly just had original houses or aging, plain apartment buildings. Over the next few years I think Halifax's core is going to transition into something more typical of mid-sized cities, where there are many different busy, relatively built up areas outside of the main downtown district. This is definitely happening both to the south and to the north of the downtown (which these days should be thought of as including the Spring Garden area out to South Park or arguably Robie).

[Takeo]

Nice. It's not award winning architecture... but it's a good, solid, functional building. SOOOOO much better than the new apartment building on Kaye and Gottingen (Hydrostone Suites)... which is just a bad architectural parody of the Hyrdostone Market and offers nothing to the street but a blank concrete plinth. This is very encouraging. I live here... and I've always said that while the Hydrostone Market is nice... it's just a shame it's so tiny. I will be nice to have a little more street activity with the addition of this building.

[someone123]

Yeah, the best part really is that the storefronts in the rendering look like they will actually be inviting, practical, and easy to open up to outdoor cafés. That is the kind of thing the area needs. Storefronts should have been REQUIRED on the other side of the street facing the existing Hydrstone Market.. that other building was definitely a lost opportunity.

A great long-term vision would be to develop Agricola more (as is happening) and turn Young into a more built up mixed-use area with strong transit connections to the downtown (e.g. a streetcar line that would run down Agricola). That area could accommodate several thousand units of housing currently, or even more if the military gives up some of its nearby underused land.

I also think that the little park/square by the Hydrostone Market should be improved, and that the city should try to find some well-located, medium-sized piece of land to turn into an urban park or square.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Any news on this development?

[Takeo]

Any news on this development?

Well... not much news... but I live in the area and I can tell you that the old Speedy Auto Glass building that used to be on the site was demolished a couple of weeks ago.

[Bedford_DJ]

There is a public hearing for this ;

7:00pm
Monday September 8, 2008
City Hall

[Bedford_DJ]

THis goes in front of Peninsula Community Council tonight at 7pm if anybody's interested.

[Bedford_DJ]

Does anyone know what the status of this is now? It went before peninsula community council but i don't know if it was sent foward or not...

[Johnny]

Saw the HRM Notice of Approval AD for the building in the weekend's paper apparently HRM is waiting for the appeal period to expire before the developer can sign the development agreement and begin construction.

This is a good solid example of mixed use, mid-rise infill...Halifax needs more of this!!!

[someone123]

I would be surprised if this were appealed since it is such a good project. Moderate scale, ground floor retail, and the area is ripe for infill. Already there have been two similar buildings build nearby but they are less attractive.

I've always wanted a bunch of buildings like this to go up along Gottingen, Agricola, and Young St. Looks like it's happening (5552 Kaye, 5505 Falkland, McCully Worklofts...).

[dartmouthian]

I like it. It should help to offset the ugliness of hydrostone place/suites.

[worldlyhaligonian]

News on this one?

[sdm]

News on this one?

Under construction.

News out in allnovascotia on monday that says they are going ahead.

$9 million dollars, 30 units, 20,000 square feet of commercial retail on the ground floor.

Now offically called Garden stone Place

[Bedford_DJ]

Under construction.

News out in allnovascotia on monday that says they are going ahead.

$9 million dollars, 30 units, 20,000 square feet of commercial retail on the ground floor.

Now offically called Garden stone Place

Nice to hear. Are they excavating yet?

[someone123]

Good to hear. I have a couple of reservations about this, since for example it looks like the upper floors that are set back will be precast panels, but overall this is a good development.

I would like to see a number of buildings like this along Gottingen, Agricola, Robie, and Young Street (to Windsor!). Already of course there are plans for some others like Falkland St and McCully St.

Some details found here: http://www.partnersglobal.com/files/drm/3fab557d-0530-49e4-b8c7-0429cf664479.pdf

[Bedford_DJ]

Thanks for the link Someone 123.

THe building doesn't look to bad overall. All I really hope is that the brick on the ground levels is not red.

Like you S123 I would love to see a buch of new infill projects around town. While not just in the north-end some nice infill spots could be;

Agricola, empty lots on Robie (particularly Pepperrell St), Gottigen, the North-Chebucto-Cunard triangle, Quinpool (past Oxford), Oxford, Bayers/Young and the few blocks in the South-End between South and Inglis.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I am happy to report that this development is going full steam ahead, they have jackhammered a pretty good hole already.

This area is gaining much needed growth and there are other prime lots that will likely be developed after this wave is done.

[Takeo]

Good to hear. I have a couple of reservations about this, since for example it looks like the upper floors that are set back will be precast panels, but overall this is a good development.

Yah. I live here. I'm not gonna complain about the pre-cast considering the board and batten Hydrostone Market mockery just down the street at Kaye & Gottingen. That building should never have been built. Such a shame. This development is world-class architecture in comparison.

[Bedford_DJ]

I took a little detour down to see this. Assuming that there is only one level of parking they are almost done digging, the hole looked quite deep tonight.

P.S. someone might want to change the title to "U/C"

[Jonovision]

This does look quite nice. Better then the other two recent additions to the neighbourhood. Hell, we might even see a crane up for this one?

[someone123]

The biggest difference for this one is that there is decent ground floor retail. It will fit in with the rest of the neighbourhood at street level, while the other development just has a dead wall set atop an ugly concrete base. That kind of design really should be banned - not every building should have to have retail in it of course but there's lots they can do in terms of detailing and landscaping to make buildings look better than that.

[Bedford_DJ]

The biggest difference for this one is that there is decent ground floor retail. It will fit in with the rest of the neighbourhood at street level, while the other development just has a dead wall set atop an ugly concrete base. That kind of design really should be banned - not every building should have to have retail in it of course but there's lots they can do in terms of detailing and landscaping to make buildings look better than that.

Doesn't the other new building also have a drop-off driveway thing or am I thinking of the wrong one?

The one problem with trying to get more retail on the street is the proximity of the brewery. That brewary will kill any expansion of the retail area up to Younge Street. While I do agree that retail should be included in developments where the other new building is across from the brewery and two blocks away from Hydrostone so it probably doesn't get to many wanderers.

I personally would love to see retail Gottigen be expanded up to Younge then curve up Younge St to Robie. Hopefully that would convince developers that car dealerships, gas stations and strip malls are not good for that part of town.

[Takeo]

I agree that the new building at Russell and Isleville is on residential streets and didn't need to have retail. My main complaint is the building at Gottingen and Kaye. Not only does it have no retail (worse... just a high blank concrete wall)... but it's just so unattractive. They tried to mimic the look of the Hydrostone Market with the use of fake stone at the base and cream colored board and batten siding above... and a fake mansard roof. The result is an awkward, unattractive mockery of the original Market. Imitation always equals bad design.

Drove past 5552 Kaye last night on the way home from getting groceries and the hole is getting pretty deep.

[Bedford_DJ]

The hole is getting very deep now (both pictures taken by me);

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3222364235_7004d7fb72_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3222364247_6f4f12e6e2_b.jpg

[hfx_chris]

So I don't get it, I know this is commercial, but is there supposed to be a residential component? The website doesn't mention anything at all.

[Bedford_DJ]

"hfx_chris", yes, there is both. I think its ground floor retail, second floor retail/office and five floors of residential.

I really dont know why they only have the commercial listed...

[worldlyhaligonian]

This area is going to look much more coherent and urban after this is complete. It certainly will help ease the eye vs. the shady design seen in the other recent developments in the area.

[Takeo]

This area is going to look much more coherent and urban after this is complete. It certainly will help ease the eye vs. the shady design seen in the other recent developments in the area.

Ya. I live in the area and dearly wish we could get a do-over for Hydrostone Place / Suites. Oh well.

[Bedford_DJ]

I was by this today.

They are still digging but the hole is quite deep now (deeper than the Trillium hole). Does anybody know how many levels of parking there are in this thing?

[Jringe01]

Cool. Renditions look good

have they started pouring yet?

[worldlyhaligonian]

No, but the hole is quite deep now, almost ready for the concrete truck. :banana:

[Bedford_DJ]

Shot taken by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3360314857_98bf51c1f9_b.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

The crane is on the way up :) (pictures be me today);

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3473935512_7b46377439_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3473128969_3de3bd6fcf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3473130359_d2fd025f61_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3473940508_c96fb0d570_b.jpg

[DigitalNinja]

Is that building next to it only one or 2 stories? If so it would be nice to see another 5-7 story building go up between them to complete the street across from the hydrostone.

[Takeo]

Is that building next to it only one or 2 stories? If so it would be nice to see another 5-7 story building go up between them to complete the street across from the hydrostone.

Ugly 1 story concrete block shed... basically. There are a couple of really ugly old buildings along there. Used to be more of a small industrial strip... gas station... speedy auto glass... etc.

[DigitalNinja]

Well hopefully that will be gone shortly and have a 5-7 story there as well to complete the block. Would be a nice addition.

[Jonovision]

Great pictures! I'm excited to see the crane go up. This building has great potential.

[Jonovision]

Since this wasn't anywhere on the thread I thought I would add it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3477407217_4f6c8d9e58_o.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

The crane base is installed, some foundations and footings are in place and rebarb is being installed along the edges of the site. If you look closely on the last photo you can see the curve for the corner piece. All photos by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3494652092_11891ff992_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3494653230_ce2ca359e9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3494654622_d8a3b24d6c_b.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

Peninsular Halifax now has three cranes. :D (photos by me today);

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3516139638_ff3ba42b00_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3515330533_0834115c7f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3516142464_cf424b7570_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3516143382_971bcd03ef_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3515334217_a1b58d24f5_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3516146428_f8452cbcbf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3515337041_9151299ca5_b.jpg

[worldlyhaligonian]

Me likey... its gonna make that Olands wall more visually interesting seeing this development poping out at the end.

[Jonovision]

Yay for cranes! Always a welcome sight.

[Jonovision]

A picture of the new crane taken from my house.

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/43716/2102945300096709958S600x600Q85.jpg

[miesh111]

It's funny how close mount royale looks in those pictures.

[Jonovision]

Indeed it does. I was using a 24x zoom so most of the city would look close. lol

[DigitalNinja]

Nice view~ Cranes are always a welcome sight!

[Bedford_DJ]

As always some photos snapped by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/3556447475_895a329655_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3557259660_1ddda0f8ab_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3556450017_9ec759d0bf_b.jpg
Elevator Shaft

[Jstaleness]

I was at the ICI Paints on Kaye today. Not much changed since the last pics that were posted on the 23rd. My job requires me to drive all around HRM so I can start taking pics of all the sites if wanted. Do I need any permissions or anything to post pics?

[Bedford_DJ]

I was at the ICI Paints on Kaye today. Not much changed since the last pics that were posted on the 23rd. My job requires me to drive all around HRM so I can start taking pics of all the sites if wanted. Do I need any permissions or anything to post pics?

Nope you shouldn't. I just go around and snap photos and them post them here with no complaints yet.

According to the law as long as the picture is taken on public property its legal. :)

Just make sure to state if you or someone else took the photo thats all. :)

[Jonovision]

I was at the ICI Paints on Kaye today. Not much changed since the last pics that were posted on the 23rd. My job requires me to drive all around HRM so I can start taking pics of all the sites if wanted. Do I need any permissions or anything to post pics?

That would be awesome. I try to take some updates every now and again, but its a bit harder on foot. Just find a good site to host them on and post away.

[Bedford_DJ]

Updates from today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3579116829_db8b302d28_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3579928212_5c6784998b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3579929360_c659576f3f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3579930860_3294f082fb_b.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

Photos by me today;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3601126668_9016ccd2f7_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3601128080_51dee131ca_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3601129928_57a66d5888_b.jpg

[Jonovision]

Great Pics! Looks like this one should reach street level in a month or so.

[Bedford_DJ]

Great Pics! Looks like this one should reach street level in a month or so.

Probably.

I'd say by the end of the month they'll have most of the walls up for the ground floor. :)

By the end of the summer we should start to see some exterior being put in place.

Hopefully by the time this one finishes construction St. Joseph's will be underway and a proposal will be introduced for the lot next to this one (the blueish building visible in some photos).

I personally think this block should have mid-rises along Kaye, Russell, and Gottingen and down the back street (Sullivan Street) there should be either single family houses (like there currently is) or townhouses. And at the very least retail should be required along Gottingen and Kaye. :)

[eastcoastal]

...

Hopefully by the time this one finishes construction St. Joseph's will be underway and a proposal will be introduced for the lot next to this one (the blueish building visible in some photos).

...

I believe the bluish building is owned, and occupied, by the Architecture firm that designed this building. I'm sure they were ruing the underground parking during the months of drilling... LOL May have been hard to keep their pencils on the drafting tables

[Jonovision]

I believe the bluish building is owned, and occupied, by the Architecture firm that designed this building. I'm sure they were ruing the underground parking during the months of drilling... LOL May have been hard to keep their pencils on the drafting tables

Yah, that is Michael Napiers office.

[JET]

Michael Napier, he's listed as the architect for Greenvale. JET

[Bedford_DJ]

I believe the bluish building is owned, and occupied, by the Architecture firm that designed this building. I'm sure they were ruing the underground parking during the months of drilling... LOL May have been hard to keep their pencils on the drafting tables

So I guess it could be possible that they have a spot reserved in 5552 Kaye for their future offices. It would quite logical for an architect firm to move into a building designed by them to show how much they like their work.

So if they move they could buy out the other bulding next door (and maybe one in back to make it a sizable lot) and develop it.

One thing I did notice was the building has renderings of 5552 Kaye up in thw window sill. I always just figured they asked the owners to display them but it makes more sense now ...

[Jonovision]

Michael Napier, he's listed as the architect for Greenvale. JET

He has actually responsible for what I believe to be some of the nicest buildings in the city in recent years. He did the Waterford Suites, Founders Corner, this one, Greenvale, The Vic, and a couple others that aren't coming to me at the moment.
He is my favorite local architect.

[Takeo]

Wow. That dump is an architecture office? I would have never guessed.

[Bedford_DJ]

Normally at this time I would say "All photos taken by me today" and post a few photos from the exact same spot as previous weeks.

Unfortunately my computer decided to crash and destroy its hardware last night so the computer I am on right now is an older computer that does not like my photos and doesn't like photo upload sights either so I will post the photos later in the week once I have a brand new laptop to play around with. So in lieu of no visual being able to be posted I will just provide this;

Not much progress has taken place over the last week. The only thing of note is the exterior walls are to ground level, the columns are in on the P1 level and some of the wall around the P1-P2 ramp is in place and is at ground level.

One other thing the architects for this project who work next door also have a rendering up for Theatre Lofts just down Gottingen from this. :)

[Jonovision]

One other thing the architects for this project who work next door also have a rendering up for Theatre Lofts just down Gottingen from this. :)

Michael Napier again! :)

[Bedford_DJ]

For old time's sake: All photos by me today (June 19);

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3642311093_9f8ece6928_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3642311095_67cc7b30dc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3642311099_87113c23b4_b.jpg

[Takeo]

Drove by last night on my way home from work... they were doing the street level pour. So this is now at street level and the rebar for the first floor columns is in place. Great progress on this one.

[DigitalNinja]

Wow, evidence of construction crews accutally moving. The empire state building almost went up faster than a 12 story tower in halifax lol.

[Bedford_DJ]

View of the crane from the MacDonald Bridge (photo by me):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3664509362_6e698da5ab_b.jpg

[Bedford_DJ]

These were taken last night by me. Sorry about the bad quality but I haven'e figured out how to control the fog yet ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3687620703_870d8698e0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3687621923_4a61048cea_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3687623021_109927293f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3688426842_956eae3f5a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/3688427820_4cd953b7a9_b.jpg

[Jonovision]

I'm amazed at the speed of this one. I'm gonna say it will be topped out by year end for sure.

[someone123]

It's weird how there's such a huge range in terms of rate of sales and construction of projects in the downtown area. Some are marketed for years and then take forever to go up while others are announced later and finish much earlier.

[Nilan8888]

Is that necessarily good though, that others start later and finish earlier? I think those are the smaller ones, right?

I thought someone around here once argued that smaller projects getting the go ahead in larger numbers can weaken the larger projects from ever going through by placating demand quicker. Maybe that's just my bad memory though...

[someone123]

Depends on the specific projects I think. In general I believe that the smaller projects are much better for the city, provided that they are of a decent quality, though it's nice to have some big ones.

It is also a little complicated in that it's definitely not a zero-sum game where the number of units is always the same. People might choose to live downtown instead of in the suburbs if there are better or cheaper projects, or may even move to the city or buy a second home in Halifax if there is something they really like. On top of that, there are many different types of projects - rental vs condos, etc.

[Bedford_DJ]

Is that necessarily good though, that others start later and finish earlier? I think those are the smaller ones, right?

I thought someone around here once argued that smaller projects getting the go ahead in larger numbers can weaken the larger projects from ever going through by placating demand quicker. Maybe that's just my bad memory though...

Of course its dependant on the scope of the individual projects and whats involved in each but ultimately it depends on how many small projects there are near the larger project. Take the North-End for example;

Recent small projects include Agricola@North, Hydrostone Place, 5552 Kaye, ect. The most recent large project is Gladstone Ridge. While most of the Gladstone is complete there still are parts that haven't started construction. I can't say for sure but other projects like 5552 Kaye might be reducing the need for the rest of Gladstone which is why it is not completed yet.

The way I see it is each neighbourhood has a demand level. If the demand is reduced by smaller projects the larger ones will eventually be affected but it takes a lot of small projects to stall a large one, especially if the large one is more desirable. Unfortunately the demand for Peninsular Halifax is not large at the moment so projects like the Trillium will stall smaller projects in the vicinity (note the lack of proposals in the South-End). On the other hand small(er) projects like 5552 Kaye will allow others of the same scale to continue to be built until the demand rises again (note Hydrostone Place, North@Agricola, ect) but projects of a larger scale will stall after a certain number of small ones (note Gladstone and Trinity).

But Someone123 is correct in that smaller projects can be better for a city since the add density to a broader area and probably scale better. But some large projects are good at the same time.

[Bedford_DJ]

I didn't have time to stop yesterday but I did notice that they are now working on the second storey.

All I have to say is DAMN is this going up fast. :)

[Bedford_DJ]

Photos by me today;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3714450526_6eb005de42_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3713640641_65a29d56d2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3713642959_75dc8b3cf9_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3714458438_209890e534_b.jpg

[DigitalNinja]

I"m surprised at how fast this one is going up :D

[Bedford_DJ]

Photos by me yesterday (Monday);

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3764858128_4854076b92_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3764061887_0cce384be1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3764063697_7f8034bca4_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3764064983_74ddb47c28_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3764865384_9d7c618f99_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3764068777_2b6a0b1fbd_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3764869484_bd7c61a6e2_b.jpg

[beyeas]

re: that last pic... I certainly hope they aren't just sticking plywood shims between the floor plates and the load bearing columns! :haha: Although given the quality of much of the construction in this city I wouldn't be surprised!

[1976]

I"m surprised at how fast this one is going up :D

They have a good form work contractor

[1976]

re: that last pic... I certainly hope they aren't just sticking plywood shims between the floor plates and the load bearing columns! :haha: Although given the quality of much of the construction in this city I wouldn't be surprised!

That is just plywood left over from the forming of the slab deck that has yet to be pulled down. This lot is extremely out of square and therefore the building is out of square as the owner wanted to make use of as much of the land as possible. The plywood you're referring to makes contact with the columns at odd angles when forming the "out of square" slab and therefore has to be cut at odd angles to close the slab forming in around the columns. I can see how it may seem that the plywood is sticking in passed the column face but I can assure you that it is not. :)

[Bedford_DJ]

Another update by me yesterday;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3814577305_6ff6280017_b.jpg

Oh and this is my 3'000th POST! :banana: :awesome: :cucumber: :apple: :dancing:

[Bedford_DJ]

So I was by this recently and they are currently working on the seventh (final) floor and have some steel framing up on the lower floors.

Its looking pretty good so far. :tup:

[worldlyhaligonian]

Seventh and final floor looks to be complete and they are installing the framing for the windows/walls on the lower floors... I hope they don't use low quality materials on the exterior, but I assume they will until I see something.

At least these guys move fast... this one is definitely the fastest development of this size to go up.

[Keith P.]

While construction is proceeding well, there is a definite lack of info about the project available online. First question: does anyone know if these are condo residential units or are they rental apartments?

[1976]

Residential Condos for sale. However there is some retail rental on the first two floors.