[macgregor]

I am not sure if that is the location that macgregor described. I thought that it would be this lot - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=3065+Robie+Street,+halifax,+ns&ll=44.65799,-63.599807&spn=0.0058,0.033023&sll=44.659259,-63.601721&layer=c&cbp=11,29.42,,0,-2.4&cbll=44.65799,-63.599807&gl=ca&hnear=3065+Robie+St,+Halifax,+Nova+Scotia+B3K+2A2&t=h&z=16&panoid=UAaYwFx4P-YmHwsWy7ch1Q that macgregor described in his post below. (not the 19 storey tower at 3065 Robie Street)

That's the lot (2859 Robie, instead of 3065 Robie). I thought plans/renders for these two sites were put up at the same time. But maybe that site was only being talked about as a good opportunity.

[worldlyhaligonian]

[QUOTE=haligonia;5759633]
Unsustainable? What does that even mean? It is rapidly becoming the most overused term in urban circles. A building like this with a C-store, a dry cleaner and a women's gym in the ground level doesn't make anything more "sustainable". :koko:

Love it Keith, you tell it like it is most of the time.

Nothing is "sustainable", things are more or less "unsustainable" but really we are splitting hairs here when it comes to talking about actual development or consumer behavior.

I think this word is getting thrown around wayyy too much. For example, I'm in favour of biking for sure and urban design that is effective (unlike the stupid painted lines next to highways in Halifax)... but is it sustainable per se?

They still have to mine metal, go through a manufacturing process (likely in a third world country with much more relaxed environmental laws), then it has to be shipped to market where it is purchased by the end user. More innovations that could have "sustainable" outcomes come from the automotive industry.

[Tincture]

http://news.webshots.com/photo/2927330520106861973yuKvsp


11 / 07 / 2012

[HaliStreaks]

I was asked a question by a friend who lives in the area, as Northwest Arm Dr. is a bit of a jaunt out of the way by metro transit for me. Does anyone know what's going on at the top of Cowie Hill Road across from the Halifax Water building? He told me they've blasted and cleared most of the area between Cowie Hill Rd. and Northwest Arm Drive and that there are now foundations going in.

[kph06]

That's a new building for Halifax Water operations and an extension of Cowie Hill Rd. Eventually the subdivision proposed for there years ago will start up.

[-Harlington-]

Article about the plans for the agricola NSCL: http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/116070-north-end-halifax-residents-to-get-new-liquor-store

[Northend Nerd]

Lots going on in the North End!

I noticed today that the empty lot at the corner of Isleville and Almon had a sign for re-development today. It doesn't seem that the case has made its way to the HRM site yet.

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8710/dsc0697ug.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9696/dsc0699li.jpg



Demolition has also begun on the used car dealership on Almon, beside the Shoppers and Post office.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2820/dsc0700cp.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3487/dsc0702x.jpg

[Wishblade]

200 Jazz jobs moving from London, Ont. to Halifax

Jazz Aviation LP is moving 200 jobs from London, Ontario to Halifax.

The move will happen by next summer and will consolidate the airline's heavy maintenance operations at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

The company is owned by Halifax-based Chorus Aviation Inc.

Workers in Ontario, 150 unionized workers and 50 managers, will be given the option to relocate, Jazz spokeswoman Manon Stuart confirmed.

Moving the positions will allow Jazz — under the Air Canada Express brand — to be more efficient and acquire new planes, Stuart said.

the rest here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/07/12/ns-jobs-move-jazz.html

[someone123]

I noticed today that the empty lot at the corner of Isleville and Almon had a sign for re-development today. It doesn't seem that the case has made its way to the HRM site yet.

The addresses are not quite the same, but I think it's this one: http://halifax.ca/planning/Case17511Details.html

Looks like a nice medium-sized development. I think the North End is really going to come into its own in a few years.

[halifaxboyns]

The addresses are not quite the same, but I think it's this one: http://halifax.ca/planning/Case17511Details.html

Looks like a nice medium-sized development. I think the North End is really going to come into its own in a few years.

I don't think that's the right application. I think this is a different one, because MN isn't the applicant for 17511.

[someone123]

I don't think that's the right application. I think this is a different one, because MN isn't the applicant for 17511.

Yeah, looks like the case numbers are different too. Bilby/Isleville/Almon are all around the same block though -- so I guess there will be two buildings more or less right next to each other then? Q Lofts and St. Joseph's are also pretty close by.

[Northend Nerd]

The addresses are not quite the same, but I think it's this one: http://halifax.ca/planning/Case17511Details.html

Looks like a nice medium-sized development. I think the North End is really going to come into its own in a few years.

Yeah it isn't this one. There is a 2 story brick building/ Halifax welders shop that will be ripped down for Case 17511.

In the 15 block radius from Gottingen to Robie and Young to Almon, there is 5+ developments going on or planned!

[mcmcclassic]

Demolition has also begun on the used car dealership on Almon, beside the Shoppers and Post office.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2820/dsc0700cp.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3487/dsc0702x.jpg

They are going to be building a new RONA store on the spot where the used car dealership was.

[cormiermax]

I hope it isn't some suburban style crap with parking in front.

[Northend Nerd]

Nice! Do you know what is going to happen to the old location?

[Keith P.]

And as of tonight on my way home from work, the entire dealership is gone. Goodbye, A.E. Fowles. I have some nice memories of you.

[fenwick16]

They are going to be building a new RONA store on the spot where the used car dealership was.


The old story (from January 3, 2012) seems to explain what mcmcclassic pointed out.


Pierceys may relocate
January 3, 2012 - 6:55pm By JOHN DEMONT Business Reporter

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/piercey%27s.jpg
Rona, the owner of Halifax’s Pierceys store, says it is looking at a new location for the business, which has operated in the Halifax area for nearly a century. (ERIC WYNNE / Staff)

An iconic Halifax business may be moving from its decades-old location — but just barely.

Rona Inc., the owner of the Pierceys store on Robie Street, has opened preliminary talks about relocating the outlet to a nearby Almon Street site owned by the Bragg Group of Companies in Oxford.

The Bragg Group sold the Pierceys chain to Rona in 2010 but held onto the other site, now a used car lot, which is southwest of the existing store.

Rona is talking to Bragg subsidiary FS Industries Ltd. about building the new store if the move proceeds. Relocating the business would mean the Used Car Factory would have to vacate the land.
.
.
.
full story and source: http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/48418-pierceys-may-relocate

[fenwick16]

Lots going on in the North End!

I noticed today that the empty lot at the corner of Isleville and Almon had a sign for re-development today. It doesn't seem that the case has made its way to the HRM site yet.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9696/dsc0699li.jpg

As Northend Nerd pointed out, a new Rona will be going up were the used car dealership was. (probably a small store since Rona is down-sizing its stores - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rona-other-retailers-thinking-outside-the-big-box/article535134/ )

There was a story in the Chronicle Herald about the separate 2814 Isleville Street location.


Mixed-use development planned for north-end Halifax
July 13, 2012 - 6:08pm By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

The evolution of north-end Halifax continues.

Michael Napier Architecture has submitted an application, on behalf of Tony Metlej of Galaxy Properties Ltd., to amend the city’s land-use bylaw that would allow a development agreement for a mixed-use building on an empty lot at 2814 Isleville St., at the corner of Almon Street.

The seven-storey building would include 3,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 40 apartments with a mix of one and two bedrooms above.

“Right now, the commercial area is just along the front portion of the project with parking behind,” Michael Napier said Friday.

“It’s just commercial space that could be subdivided up into smaller spaces or up to a maximum of 3,500 square feet.”

The development is in proximity to an area where P.F.K. Properties Ltd. has proposed to build a $10-million residential building, which is also being designed by Michael Napier Architecture.

That proposal would see four properties at the corner of Bilby and Isleville converted into a seven-storey building, which would include eight two-level, townhouse-style units at the base of the building, 48 condominium-style apartments on the upper floors, and one level of underground parking with 44 stalls.

“This one (at 2814 Isleville) is very similar. It’s residential with ground-floor commercial, not with a townhouse-type sort of feel on the ground floor but it’s the same sort of height with underground parking,” Napier said.
.
.
.
full story and source: http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/116803-mixed-use-development-planned-for-north-end-halifax

[teddifax]

Great pictures of Halifax!!!

[teddifax]

From what I have read the old approach to have Public Housing as a project, just doesn't work in the long term. In the 60's when Uniacke Square was built, the intentions were good, but historically we have found out this direction to be misguided. Is has been found out mixing up the housing works better, so I agree with the comments here.

[HalifaxRetales]

that Factory 21 is completely gone , hard to tell there was even a building there


now on the Corner of Young and Agricola

http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012-08-01-18.49.28.jpg
http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012-08-01-18.49.26.jpg

Former tanner supply (I'll miss the creepy dog) and the house that used to be the Futon Store

still 2 properties just cheaper to demolish both at once
the TAnner Supply lot is being rebuilt as a gourmet Pizza Shop called Mothers Pizza

[HalifaxRetales]

Ha and this is a funny one from the mothers pizza blog
http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo4.jpg

[Keith P.]

Good to see those two derelict buildings removed.

Too bad HRM was not acting proactively to reclaim some frontage from both of those lots to widen Young St a bit. That corner is claustrophobic and a real traffic bottleneck.

Of course if they did, some bozos would demand a half-block long bike lane instead.

[scooby074]

Good to see those two derelict buildings removed.

Too bad HRM was not acting proactively to reclaim some frontage from both of those lots to widen Young St a bit. That corner is claustrophobic and a real traffic bottleneck.

Of course if they did, some bozos would demand a half-block long bike lane instead.

Yup.

[someone123]

The owners of these buildings have stated that they'd like to move in to this corner again sometime in the fall. That seems awfully quick given that the old buildings are being torn down in August. It makes me worry about the quality of the replacement buildings.

[fenwick16]

The following update is posted on the halifax.ca website regarding the Bay three-storey expansion: (source: http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17397Details.html): No further action has taken place on the application since the February 2012 public information meeting. The application has therefore been closed.

However, it is mentioned that "Work to convert the existing building floor space is already underway."

In an old Chronicle Herald story (one year ago), there is mention that part of the 800 parking spot garage is being converted for use by tenants - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/24442-eurofax-has-big-plans-former-bay-building. It sounds like the parking garage is being converted to office space(?)

The renovated Bay is rumoured to be the location of the consolidated CBC TV/Radio. Also, 70,000 square feet will be leased by Admiral Insurance company, which has plans to expand from 400 to 800 employees (quite a large company).

Now that the Nova Centre is planned to start in the near future, maybe Joe Ramia has too much on his plate to continue with the Bay expansion proposal (which isn't a big loss).

[pblaauw]

In an old Chronicle Herald story (one year ago), there is mention that part of the 800 parking spot garage is being converted for use by tenants - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/24442-eurofax-has-big-plans-former-bay-building. It sounds like the parking garage is being converted to office space(?)


Maybe they're converting some of the parking spots into reserved parking? That happened a few years ago with some of the spots in the Purdy's Wharf garage.

[Jonovision]

The lot down on the corner of Hollis and South St has been smoothed out and sadly it looks as if it will become downtown Halifax's newest parking lot :(

[fenwick16]

The lot down on the corner of Hollis and South St has been smoothed out and sadly it looks as if it will become downtown Halifax's newest parking lot :(

I think that you are referring to this lot - http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=5167+South+street,+halifax,+ns&hl=en&ll=44.640052,-63.56889&spn=0.003298,0.008256&sll=44.640262,-63.569441&layer=c&cbp=13,288.56,,0,9.74&cbll=44.640303,-63.569105&gl=ca&hnear=5167+South+St,+Halifax,+Nova+Scotia+B3J+1A3&t=h&panoid=o8RvajcsShW-AcTAS9KmjA&z=18

The last thing I read regarding this lot is that the owner was waiting for an increase in height from 13.716 meters to 22 meters to permit a multilevel residential development. It was mentioned in the May 3, 2011 minutes - http://www.halifax.ca/council/documents/c110503.pdf. This is an excerpt of the minutes:

11. MOTIONS

11.1 Councillor Sloane

An e-mail submission dated May 2, 2011 from Elias Metlej was before Council.

MOVED by Councillor Sloane, seconded by Councillor Wile that Halifax Regional Council:

1. Authorize staff to include, as part of the first annual review of the Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Downtown Halifax Land Use By-law, the consideration of potential amendments to the Maximum Pre-Bonus and Maximum Post-Bonus height maps to increase the height on properties identified by civic addresses 5161 to 5167 South Street, Halifax, from the current height of 13.716 metres to 22 metres, as was originally recommended by the Urban Design Task Force, and for the maximum height on these properties to be calculated as per the definition of building height, as contained under Part 2 of the Land Use By-law.

2. Request that staff follow the public participation program approved by Council on February 25, 1997.

Mr. Austin French, Manager, Planning Services, responded to questions of clarification from members of Council explaining that during the HRM by Design approval process, the 22 metres in height was requested to be lowered to 13.716 meters for this area until such time as the Barrington South Heritage Conservation area would be considered.

Councillor Sloane added that the area in question, located a block away from the approved Heritage Conservation district, would be a vacant lot for some time if Council awaited the Barrington South Heritage Conservation decision.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

This item should have been included as part of the first annual review of the Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Downtown Halifax Land Use By-law. Edited: I found the minutes of the first annual review meeting and there is no mention of this matter - http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/drc/documents/110811.pdf . Where it has gone; does anyone know?

[Vl@dy]

The lot down on the corner of Hollis and South St has been smoothed out and sadly it looks as if it will become downtown Halifax's newest parking lot :(

I think, most parking there's in a city and this is better for the traffic. I live in a city where is very difficult found a parking. And i know, is not good for the pollution, but it's necessary for the traffic order. Halifax (from what i read) is a city with 372.679 peoples and they're not a few.
Honestly i don't know how many parking lot there's in Halifax, but the structures are impressive and i think some parking lot, is not bad. ;)




(Google translate rules)

[pchipman]

There have been some streetscape 'improvements' along Quinpool Rd recently with the addition of several plastic planter boxes. I'll try to grab some pictures when I can, but in my opinion, these additions are incredibly discouraging. Rather than improving the streetscape, these planters seem to contribute to its degeneration by addition to its already cheap and rundown quality. Some recent openings had me rather encouraged Quinpool could turn around. Another example of the city succeeding in spite of its management. Just terrible.

[someone123]

Yeah, it's a real shame that the city's been unable to get it together for so long when it comes to the streetscape improvements. It's hard to think of a public project that is so cheap and yet would have such a visible impact.

The Hollis and South height limit is another sad story. If I remember correctly, I think Sloane and possibly some others wanted a low height limit on that site to discourage demolition of the heritage buildings. A few years later that ill-conceived policy backfired and now we will have an empty lot, hopefully only for a few extra years but who knows?

[Keith P.]

Yeah, it's a real shame that the city's been unable to get it together for so long when it comes to the streetscape improvements. It's hard to think of a public project that is so cheap and yet would have such a visible impact.

Even the new lightpole banners on Quinpool are bad. They took a remnant of the former 1940's-style "Quinpool Rd." logo they had used previously, which wasn't bad, and laid a new look on top of it. Looks crappy. Who's in charge of the Quinpool Business District anyway? They seem to be lacking some good judgement.


The Hollis and South height limit is another sad story. If I remember correctly, I think Sloane and possibly some others wanted a low height limit on that site to discourage demolition of the heritage buildings. A few years later that ill-conceived policy backfired and now we will have an empty lot, hopefully only for a few extra years but who knows?

Well, the odds are good that Sloane will be bounced this time and regardless, she will not represent this district after October. Perhaps someone with some sense will submit an amendment to let some height be built on this block.

[pchipman]

Tah dahh...
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/b64pi.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/b64pi)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/mqgc7.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/mqgc7)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/l8ssc.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/l8ssc)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/35gf7.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/35gf7)

[Keith P.]

The rectangular ones look like coffins and the round ones look like trash cans. Cripes.

[HalifaxRetales]

land for the Rona on Almon completely clear
http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_2214.jpg

[HalifaxRetales]

and what's with this

http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/MSSBLIP.jpg

Why the need for storage locker with a view? Do you pay a premium for that ?

also dickish how they have all that land and they built it right beside CAW blocking one side of their windows

[someone123]

There was an article about Cogswell in ANS tonight. Apparently the city may soon issue an RFP for a development plan.

The overall time frame isn't clear but it seems like the time to begin planning is now, since many existing empty lots are filling in and since it will take many years to fully disassemble and redevelop the interchange lands. It sounds like they're looking at a phased plan for bringing smaller land parcels to market and gradually switching traffic to at-grade streets. A new transit hub was also mentioned. I think this could be very important and could tie in well with other new developments.

In a way I think it might be good that Cogswell was delayed. Council talked about dismantling it in the 1990's but there was little appreciation back then of good urban design, transit, etc. That was the era of, say, the MetroPark, which was funded by regional council. The old plans from that era were more like traffic studies and called for what looked like at-grade suburban style arterials rather than a well-planned extension of the downtown.

[ILoveHalifax]

I wonder if rather than running a grid of streets thru Cogswell if it might make sense to do a one-way street around the outside with possibly a few towers in the interior. Possibly lots of people space around the towers.

[Empire]

I wonder if rather than running a grid of streets thru Cogswell if it might make sense to do a one-way street around the outside with possibly a few towers in the interior. Possibly lots of people space around the towers.

I think that the expectation for available land is far to high for the Cogswell lands. If a grid pattern is created then there will be gridlock as Upper Water, Hollis and Barrington will have to tee into Cornwallis St. making a very awkward exit from downtown.

[teddifax]

Maybe this will be also a kickstart to International Place? I would love to see that built!

[teddifax]

Value of building permits up in Nova Scotia
15 hours ago
By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter
A worker is seen at the site of the Waterfront condominium development on Walter Havill Drive in Halifax on Tuesday. (PETER PARSONS / Staff)

















.



.
THE VALUE of building permits in the province increased in June, with most of the increases coming in the Halifax area, new Statistics Canada figures released Tuesday show.

Contractors took out $169 million worth of building permits in Nova Scotia in June, a 41.9 per cent jump year-over-year, and a 25 1/2 per cent increase from the previous month.

Of that total, $106 million in permits were taken out in the Halifax region, representing a 47.4 per cent jump year-over-year.

Nationally, the value of building permits dropped 2 1/2 per cent to $6.8 billion in June, although the commercial sector saw a 6.8 per cent jump, following a 12.9 per cent decrease in May.

“Higher construction intentions for various types of commercial buildings in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec also contributed to the advance,” said a Statistics Canada news release.

The provincial jump in permit value was aided by one sector in particular.

“Most of the increase is coming from the commercial side and non-residential sectors,” Mahamat Hamit-Haggar, with the agency’s investment, science and technology division, said in a telephone interview.

Commercial permits were at $66 million in June, an increase from $19.8 million in May, with the biggest jump coming from hotels and restaurants. There were $32.4 million in permits for hotels and restaurants issued in June, compared with $1.2 million in May.

Industrial permits dropped to $7.6 million in June from $14.5 million in May, while institutional and governmental permits represented $1.5 million in value, compared with $39.9 million during the same month last year.

“It’s so volatile, you can see the institutional, for example,” Hamit-Haggar said.

Overall, residential building permits dropped in the province to $118 million from $135 million the previous month.

“There is a decrease in the single-family homes, but the multiple-unit (permits) increased slightly by 2.8 per cent,” Hamit-Haggar said.

(rzaccagna@herald.ca)

*** this should be the "Waterton" not Waterfront condominiums!

[teddifax]

Halifax area top of the cheap heap for head offices, consultant says
17 hours ago
By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
An American location consultant says Halifax-Dartmouth is the least expensive place in North America for a corporate office. (ERIC WYNNE / Staff)

















.



.
Halifax-Dartmouth is the cheapest corporate headquarter location in North America, says the Boyd Company, Inc., an American location consultant.

“There are big, big savings to be had in Halifax,” company principal John Boyd said Tuesday in an interview.

The Princeton, N.J., firm recently completed a study comparing the costs of operating a corporate headquarters in 50 leading head-office real estate markets in Canada and the United States.

Operating costs were scaled to a hypothetical 100,000 square feet corporate head office employing 500 workers and included all major geographically variable cost factors critical to the site selection process.

Halifax-Dartmouth ranked as the lowest-cost site in Canada and the U.S., at $32.9 million a year.

That was less expensive than the lowest head-office cost site in the U.S., Indianapolis-Carmel-Fishers, Ind., which cost $35.7 million annually.

For comparison purposes, all costs were calculated in U.S. dollars at parity.

The Boyd study found New York City to be the most costly North American metropolis to operate a corporate headquarters, at $47.2 million per year, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., at $46.5 million and San Francisco at $46.1 million.

The most expensive Canadian corporate headquarter locations were Toronto-Mississauga at $39.1 million, Vancouver-Burnaby at $38.9 million and Montreal-Laval at $36.9 million.

Halifax-Dartmouth annual earnings as a portion of labour costs were $47,275, lower than Indianapolis’s $48,487 and Winnipeg’s $48,390, and well below Toronto at $55,857, Vancouver at $55,421 and New York City, the ranking’s highest earning location at $59,930.

“Labour costs are very, very competitive in Halifax,” said Boyd, who noted that labour costs “tend to dominate the (ranking) equation.”

Real estate costs in Halifax are also competitive, especially when compared with other Canadian headquarter sites such as Toronto and Vancouver, he said.

“The traditional savings have diminished in Western Canada” with that region’s enormous energy-sector success, he said.

Halifax-Dartmouth’s annual property and sales taxes costs were $1.496 million, more than twice the $633,5311 in Indianapolis, which Boyd attributed to the costs associated with paying for Canada’s public health-care system.

“There’s no free lunch,” he said.

More and more companies are looking at affordable, central locations such as Indiana, but Halifax’s position as a regional business centre that attracts top graduates, its proximity to Europe and its positive cost ranking bode well for its ability to attract corporate headquarters, he said.

“Indiana is on the radar and so will Halifax,” Boyd said, suggesting that companies headquartered in Toronto and Vancouver could relocate to Halifax because of the cost savings.

“Companies want to rebrand as fiscally responsible.”

Boyd said annual headquarter cost-savings of seven to eight million translate into hundreds of millions when amortized over 25 years.

Founded in 1975, his company provides comparative business cost analysis and strategic site selection to Canadian clients that include TD Canada Trust, Sun Life Financial, PepsiCo Canada and Onex.

The company will present its findings next Tuesday at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

(berskine@herald.ca)

[Keith P.]

There was an article about Cogswell in ANS tonight. Apparently the city may soon issue an RFP for a development plan.

The overall time frame isn't clear but it seems like the time to begin planning is now, since many existing empty lots are filling in and since it will take many years to fully disassemble and redevelop the interchange lands. It sounds like they're looking at a phased plan for bringing smaller land parcels to market and gradually switching traffic to at-grade streets. A new transit hub was also mentioned. I think this could be very important and could tie in well with other new developments.


Without demolishing parts of Scotia Square and the Trade Mart, it will be interesting to see how they manage to handle the substantial grade change without the interchange there. Look for some very steep hills and awkward building sites.

[teddifax]

I had heard somewhere recently that there may be plans to build on top of the Trade Mart. I don't know any more of the details on that!

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Saw an ad for this development today. http://www.halifaxdevelopments.com/westhill-on-duke.php

Westhill on Duke. Basically a redevelopment of scotia square on the corner of Duke and Ablemarie. Looks like it addresses the corner better than the current set up, but still not 100%. Addition of another 4 floor building downtown is nice too!

The signs are up:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7743714454_ecde9f4f1e_b.jpg

[eastcoastal]

Without demolishing parts of Scotia Square and the Trade Mart, it will be interesting to see how they manage to handle the substantial grade change without the interchange there. Look for some very steep hills and awkward building sites.
Interesting - I've wondered the same. I recall seeing some maps of the former street network in the (general??) area, but it's hard to get a sense of how vertical grades were accommodated from a map that really only shows horizontal layout of streets. I wonder what it looked like before the interchange was built in preparation for the highway along the water?

[HalifaxRetales]

probably too far back but definately pre cogswell interchange
an HD birds eye map from 1879
http://www.bigmapblog.com/2012/rugers-birdseye-map-of-halifax-nova-scotia-1879/

[Empire]

Halifax area top of the cheap heap for head offices, consultant says
17 hours ago
By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
An American location consultant says Halifax-Dartmouth is the least expensive place in North America for a corporate office. (ERIC WYNNE / Staff)

Halifax-Dartmouth is the cheapest corporate headquarter location in North America, says the Boyd Company, Inc., an American location consultant.

“There are big, big savings to be had in Halifax,” company principal John Boyd said Tuesday in an interview.

The Princeton, N.J., firm recently completed a study comparing the costs of operating a corporate headquarters in 50 leading head-office real estate markets in Canada and the United States.

Operating costs were scaled to a hypothetical 100,000 square feet corporate head office employing 500 workers and included all major geographically variable cost factors critical to the site selection process.

Halifax-Dartmouth ranked as the lowest-cost site in Canada and the U.S., at $32.9 million a year.

That was less expensive than the lowest head-office cost site in the U.S., Indianapolis-Carmel-Fishers, Ind., which cost $35.7 million annually.

For comparison purposes, all costs were calculated in U.S. dollars at parity.

The Boyd study found New York City to be the most costly North American metropolis to operate a corporate headquarters, at $47.2 million per year, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., at $46.5 million and San Francisco at $46.1 million.

The most expensive Canadian corporate headquarter locations were Toronto-Mississauga at $39.1 million, Vancouver-Burnaby at $38.9 million and Montreal-Laval at $36.9 million.

Halifax-Dartmouth annual earnings as a portion of labour costs were $47,275, lower than Indianapolis’s $48,487 and Winnipeg’s $48,390, and well below Toronto at $55,857, Vancouver at $55,421 and New York City, the ranking’s highest earning location at $59,930.

“Labour costs are very, very competitive in Halifax,” said Boyd, who noted that labour costs “tend to dominate the (ranking) equation.”

Real estate costs in Halifax are also competitive, especially when compared with other Canadian headquarter sites such as Toronto and Vancouver, he said.

“The traditional savings have diminished in Western Canada” with that region’s enormous energy-sector success, he said.

Halifax-Dartmouth’s annual property and sales taxes costs were $1.496 million, more than twice the $633,5311 in Indianapolis, which Boyd attributed to the costs associated with paying for Canada’s public health-care system.

“There’s no free lunch,” he said.

More and more companies are looking at affordable, central locations such as Indiana, but Halifax’s position as a regional business centre that attracts top graduates, its proximity to Europe and its positive cost ranking bode well for its ability to attract corporate headquarters, he said.

“Indiana is on the radar and so will Halifax,” Boyd said, suggesting that companies headquartered in Toronto and Vancouver could relocate to Halifax because of the cost savings.

“Companies want to rebrand as fiscally responsible.”

Boyd said annual headquarter cost-savings of seven to eight million translate into hundreds of millions when amortized over 25 years.

Founded in 1975, his company provides comparative business cost analysis and strategic site selection to Canadian clients that include TD Canada Trust, Sun Life Financial, PepsiCo Canada and Onex.

The company will present its findings next Tuesday at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

(berskine@herald.ca)

HRM would be much better off to spend the $50,000 slated to study the Trade Centre ticket issue on Head Office recruitment instead.

There should be a department in HRM dedicated to head office development.

[pblaauw]

The house at the NW corner of University Ave. and Robie St. - and possibly the one next to it? - is being deconstructed/demolished (or so it appears). Dal appears to be getting ready for its next construction project. Or maybe a parking lot. ;)

[teddifax]

Expansion brews for Propeller
16 hours ago
By COLLEEN COSGROVE Business Reporter


















.



.
Six consecutive years of double-digit growth and a local population with an unquenchable thirst for craft beer have Propeller Brewing Co. on the hunt for more real estate.

Operating at capacity for the last two years, the north-end Halifax microbrewery is ready to take its craft beer business to the next level.

A new warehouse and distribution facility is the first step, spokesman Andrew Cooper said Thursday.

“In our current location, we physically cannot produce any more beer than we already are,” Cooper said. “We’ve eaten up all of our warehouse space on Gottingen Street with tanks over the past couple of years as we increased production, and now we’re to the point where we can’t add any more tanks.”

The current space crunch has Propeller storing its dry goods and glass products in two separate locations and having them trucked in daily to its Gottingen Street headquarters. A new warehouse and distribution complex would consolidate those facilities and free up much-needed room at the brewery to increase beer and soda production.

The extra space would allow for additional fermenters and eventually increased annual production.

The microbrewery now produces 8,100 hectolitres a year of beer and soda, or about 2.3 million bottles. Propeller offers six core brands of brew, three sodas and four seasonal beers offered at different times through the year.

Space is such a hot commodity that production of its summer seasonal beer, Propeller Hefeweizen, was cancelled this year.

Propeller has been on the lookout for a new warehouse and distribution facility for a few months and hopes to secure a property by the end of the year.

Although sales have been on the rise for six years, and the brewery is on track to post double-digit sales growth again in 2012, Cooper said only now is the timing right for a slow, calculated expansion.

“Our philosophy on expansion is that we don’t want to add excess capacity that we won’t use immediately,” he said. “We realized that we would need another facility two years ago ... and after it became apparent that growth locally in the craft beer industry is not going to plateau any time soon, then we knew the time was right.”

Propeller ships beer to markets in New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia but more brewing capacity will not lead to more markets, Cooper said.

“It doesn’t make sense for a craft brewer, in our opinion, to build capacity to feed outside markets,” he said.

“It’s nice to have our brands across the country but we don’t have any goals for world domination. Growing our local market is where it’s at.”

(ccosgrove@herald.ca)

[fenwick16]

The signs are up:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7743714454_ecde9f4f1e_b.jpg

Thanks for the picture.

I think this will have a very positive effect on that part of Scotia Square. Based on the couple of renderings from their website - http://www.halifaxdevelopments.com/westhill-on-duke.php , it appears as though they plan to remove quite a bit of concrete along Duke and Market Streets and replace it with glass. It also appears as though the large concrete plant area at Duke and Market will be removed and replaced with a more natural landscaped slope.

http://www.halifaxdevelopments.com/images/img-head-westhill.jpg

http://www.halifaxdevelopments.com/images/westhill-photo.jpg

The floor plans even indicate that it might allow for some street level retail along Market Street. I am not sure about this point, I am just making an assumption from the floor plan below (Market Street is on the left hand side, the entrance is on Duke). That would be a big improvement for an otherwise dead street.

http://www.halifaxdevelopments.com/images/floor-plan-westhill1.jpg

[Keith P.]

I posted this also in the Retail, section, but my thoughts to follow, could make this a development idea, here goes:

Hopefully, they will get another building in the area, maybe in one of the new buildings to be constructed, could be redesigned to have them in it. This would be a nice feature and they could team up with a restaurant or go it on their own and make it into a Brew-pub. This would be another great way to get people drinking their beer. .......... and another idea along with this, since they have to move, maybe this building and the old garage building and Marquee in the same block could now come on the market for a new development. This could be a huge project, just a thought!!!


They are not leaving Gottingen St. This is just a storage facility they are adding.

[resetcbu1]

From todays CH http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/126298-luxury-apartment-building-planned-for-downtown-dartmouth not sure if there is a thread?

Luxury apartment building planned for downtown Dartmouth

A $10-million luxury apartment building is being proposed for downtown Dartmouth.

Boris Holdings Inc. is looking to build Lotus Point Living, a seven-storey, 50-unit luxury building at 103 Ochterloney St., at the corner of Victoria Road.

The company bought several properties at that location three years ago and promptly demolished the structures there, with the exception of a heritage home.

The intention is to build relatively quickly.

But Dean Hartman, president and part owner of Boris Holdings, said the development application process with Halifax Regional Municipality has been slower than anticipated.

“We bought the land three years ago in the hopes of having something there by now,” Hartman said. “Unfortunately it didn’t happen.

“But we’re still bullish on the area. We’re still bullish on the project.”

If everything falls within Hartman’s desired timeline, construction would begin in the spring and take 18 months to complete.

He called the area an ideal location for people looking to live in an urban environment close to several amenities.

“Not only is it located in close proximity to the ferry terminal and downtown Dartmouth, and close to some other ongoing development, which is creating a buzz in the area, but the site is elevated and gives us a good view,” Hartman said in a telephone interview Monday.

The complex will feature mostly one-bedroom units, some with a den, and several two-bedroom apartments.

Plans call for a social and fitness space on the roof that “would have a phenomenal view out over the harbour and out in behind,” he said.

Design360 has been hired to work on the interior design of the units, which Hartman said would have several luxury finishes.

The building itself, designed by Michael Napier Architecture, would feature lots of windows and glass and offer a different look to the neighbourhood, he said.

“It respects the fact that we’re in the old downtown core, but it is contemporary and unique at the same time.”

The ground floor has been reserved for 2,500 square feet of commercial space, although given the “competitive landscape in downtown Dartmouth for commercial tenants right now,” Hartman offered few specifics on what kind of tenants he is targeting.

“It’s a little early to predict what that might be, but we’re looking for something unique that the people of downtown Dartmouth and the people of our building will enjoy.”

A public information meeting on the project has been set for 7 p.m. on Aug. 30 in the Helen Creighton Room at the Alderney Gate Public Library at 60 Alderney Dr.

[-Harlington-]

^^ There is a thread somewhere


EDIT: found it
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=194213

[TheNovaScotian]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/126536-province-considers-combining-halifax-dartmouth-courts

With the Library, the lot behind it, The Basilica parking lot, all the renovations to the Medjuck Building and now this. If done right could make this area could look very different in a short amount of time.

[teddifax]

What about the Law Courts on the waterfront? Would this be no longer necessary if the courts on SGR were expanded? This could be a great redevelopment site!The Law Courts could be combined with the planned redevelopment of the Ferry Terminal Area and possibly a revamp of the bus terminal along with the Ferry Terminal Building, which could also use an upgrade!

[TheNovaScotian]

Read the article first before commenting please, it only involves the current courts on SGR and the one in Woodside by the Dartmouth General. I'm a believer that Woodside is in some need of vision with the new NSCC Waterfront Campus, I could see that whole lot re-devloped into residential due to the close proximity to the school and ferry service

[Jstaleness]

Not sure how long ago it happened but the Old Mill is officially Flattened.

[resetcbu1]

from CH http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/128687-hrm-staff-recommend-financial-help-for-restoration-of-heritage-buildings


HRM staff recommend financial help for restoration of heritage buildings
By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

Four Barrington Street heritage buildings in the heart of downtown Halifax may soon be spruced up.

City staff are recommending that the municipal heritage advisory committee approve $264,900 in grants and tax credits that would be used to upgrade and refurbish the four buildings, all on Barrington in the short distance between George and Blowers streets.

The committee meets today and will vote on the four applications.

The money is coming from the Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District Incentive Program, a five-year program that is allocating $1 million in grants and $2 million in tax credits in a bid to stimulate restoration and improvement projects in the area.

The grant budget accounts for $236,889 of this year’s total funding, even though the annual cap is $200,000. That’s because only $119,750 was allocated last year and the unused portion carried over to this year.

However, the heritage advisory committee could still recommend to regional council that the $200,000 cap “be adhered to,” according to a city staff report.

The Buckley’s building at 1667 Barrington St., owned by United Book Stores Ltd. of Moncton, is eligible for $27,975 for electrical, plumbing and flooring improvements and fire protection upgrades.

“I’m not sure if it’s all going to happen, or what parts of it are going to happen,” company president Mark Smith said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

“We just basically had a plan drawn up and submitted it for approvals, but there’s no time frame at this stage. Once we have approvals, then I guess we’ll probably go out and get quotes and see if it’s going to fly, because we don’t actually know how much it’s going to cost.”

The Nova Scotia Furnishings building at 1668-70 Barrington, registered to a numbered Ontario company controlled by Toronto developer Louis Reznick of Starfish Properties, is eligible for $89,244 in incentives for a proposal to restore the facade, add new windows and lighting and repair the wrought iron.

Reznick was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

The Cabot building at 1725 Barrington, owned by Kenneth Francis Evong, is eligible for $81,440 in grants and credits for a storefront restoration project, stone repairs, new windows, and roof and chimney repair.

Finally, the Mary McAlpine building at 1569 Barrington, registered to Judith Lynn Anderson-Little, could receive as much as $66,241 for a storefront restoration, roof and skylight replacement, fire protection upgrades and a new decorative parapet.

The staff report pegs the total value of all four projects at $660,518.

This is the fourth year of the five-year incentive program, which features 50 per cent matching grants of up to $100,000 for exterior restoration costs of up to $200,000, tax credits of 15 per cent for interior improvements, and waiving of building permit application fees.

So far, there have been 17 applications, including the four this year, which have accounted for more than $2.5 million of the $3-million budget.

“This is a positive sign that indicates that the restoration and renovation of individual buildings, and revitalization of the district as a whole, is moving forward,” the staff report says.

For his part, Smith says the incentive program encourages owners to improve and upgrade their properties but isn’t always a deciding factor.

“Whether it’s enough to actually move forward with the project, it’s another question, but obviously it gives you a little bit of an incentive to have a look at it,” he said.
doesn't seem like enough money to do any serious work? They should really do more to help encourage owners to REALLY restore these buildings and the lusture of our heritage buildings and all of downtown with a mix of modern highrises and WELL maintained historic buildings.

[resetcbu1]

Not sure how long ago it happened but the Old Mill is officially Flattened.

On Wyse Rd? Why?
I grew up at the top of Bolland but it has been so long since I have been down there even when I come home to visit usualy don't go that way.... Was there a fire?

[HaliStreaks]

On Wyse Rd? Why?
I grew up at the top of Bolland but it has been so long since I have been down there even when I come home to visit usualy don't go that way.... Was there a fire?

Sobeys is putting a new store there soon, and is closing the Primrose store.

[Jstaleness]

It sounds as though the NSLC may also be making it's new home there as well. The current store on Faulkner is in terrible shape.

[Jstaleness]

Site prep is coming along nicely at the Sobeys Site on Wyse Rd.

[pblaauw]

Chickenburger spreads wings again (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/130609-chickenburger-spreads-wings-again)


Regarding the new Apple store, I thought this was interesting: How To Be a Genius: This Is Apple’s Secret Employee Training Manual (http://gizmodo.com/5938323/how-to-be-a-genius-this-is-apples-secret-employee-training-manual)

[macgregor]

Construction at the Halterm Expansion on Marginal Road (new road and marshalling yard):
By myself yesterday

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af65/macgregor10/IMG_1525.jpg

[Dmajackson]

SMU projects (both photos by me);

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7917686134_49ffc1f6e3_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7917685320_c40e868c36_z.jpg

[Empire]

Construction at the Halterm Expansion on Marginal Road (new road and marshalling yard):
By myself yesterday

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af65/macgregor10/IMG_1525.jpg

This is one of the best shots of Halifax I've seen.

Great work.....

[q12]

CBC News Halifax @ 5:30 just reported that Halifax is still on track to reach over ONE BILLION DOLLARS worth of development permits this year.

[resetcbu1]

CBC News Halifax @ 5:30 just reported that Halifax is still on track to reach over ONE BILLION DOLLARS worth of development permits this year.

what other canadian cities would that compare to?

[hoser111]

what other canadian cities would that compare to?

Interesting question. There's some data here but it's only for a two month period, but also compares to last year. We're showing growth in spending month over month and year over year as well. Pretty easy to compare how other cities are trending...... I'm thinking we're somewhere between Kitchener & Hamilton based on the data???

Notwithstanding... The year over year growth needs to be factored in to assess if it's linear growth or a statistical blip like we will ultimately show when Nova Center gets accounted for in the numbers.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/econ68a-eng.htm

[teddifax]

CBC News Halifax @ 5:30 just reported that Halifax is still on track to reach over ONE BILLION DOLLARS worth of development permits this year.

Halifax on track to hit $1B in development permits
2011 was also a record-breaking year
CBC News Posted: Sep 5, 2012 7:30 AM AT Last Updated: Sep 5, 2012 8:38 AM AT
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The Halifax Regional Municipality is on pace to issue $1 billion in development permits—a record—by the end of the year, say city officials

With four months left in 2012, the city has already issued $650 million worth of commercial, industrial and residential permits.

That's $116 million more than what was issued this time in 2011, which was also a record-breaking year.

Halifax's Mayor Peter Kelly said the numbers reflect the confidence of the private sector in the city and the province.

[sdm]

Halifax on track to hit $1B in development permits
2011 was also a record-breaking year
CBC News Posted: Sep 5, 2012 7:30 AM AT Last Updated: Sep 5, 2012 8:38 AM AT
Facebook
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Twitter
5

Share
15
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The Halifax Regional Municipality is on pace to issue $1 billion in development permits—a record—by the end of the year, say city officials

With four months left in 2012, the city has already issued $650 million worth of commercial, industrial and residential permits.

That's $116 million more than what was issued this time in 2011, which was also a record-breaking year.

Halifax's Mayor Peter Kelly said the numbers reflect the confidence of the private sector in the city and the province.

The number is impressive, however you need to look close at what makes up the number. I bet you will find a signifcant amount of the total is government, or owner occupied structures.

[someone123]

I bet you will find a signifcant amount of the total is government, or owner occupied structures.

What's wrong with owner-occupied structures?

[fenwick16]

The number is impressive, however you need to look close at what makes up the number. I bet you will find a signifcant amount of the total is government, or owner occupied structures.

Here is a breakdown:


Development permits in Halifax region may hit $1b by year’s end
September 5, 2012 - 6:41pm By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

.
.
.
The breakdown is as follows: $385 million on the residential side, an increase of $36 million; $170 million in commercial permits, a jump of $30 million; $80.65 million in institutional permits, compared with $42.65 million last year; and $7 million on the industrial side.
.
.
.

fullstory - http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/132984-development-permits-in-halifax-region-may-hit-1b-by-year-s-end

[sdm]

What's wrong with owner-occupied structures?

Typically owner occupied are considered "investments" as say a multi family development or commercial office.

[sdm]

Here is a breakdown:

Obviously the increase is really in apartment/ condo/ single family home starts.

The Commercial isn't broken down, which would be interesting to see how much is this "owner occupied".

[Dmajackson]

This project was initiated awhile back. It's for the Cyclesmith building and is 27 meters (8 floors) tall. Initiation Report (http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/120110ca1115.pdf) is available from earlier in this thread.

Public Information Meeting - Case # 17195

Thu, 20 September, 19:00 – 21:00
1020, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, NS (Dalhousie University - Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building- Room 1020) (map)

Case 17195 Application from Studioworks International Inc., for the lands of 2227770 Nova Scotia Limited, to amend the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-law, to permit an eight storey mixed use development at 6112 Quinpool (corners of Vernon and Pepperell streets), by development agreement.

[someone123]

I made a new thread for the Quinpool project: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=201358

[bluenoser]

From the Chronicle Herald. Interesting how confident they are in Skye.

Megaprojects brighten outlook
September 18, 2012 - 8:50pm BY BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER

Nova Centre, Skye Halifax developments compensate for sluggish construction, says economist

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B9779300Z.120120918204930000G0I1CFDH.11.jpg
Rank Inc. president and CEO Joe Ramia stands in July where the Chronicle Herald once stood on Argyle Street in Halifax. Rank Inc. is building Nova Centre, a one million square foot mixed-use development on the site.

A couple of megaprojects in downtown Halifax are beacons of economic growth next year in the metropolitan area, a Conference Board of Canada economist said Tuesday.

Nova Centre and Skye Halifax will help compensate for some sluggishness in the construction sector expected next year after completion of some large multi-unit residential complexes this year, said the board’s Jane McIntyre.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/137165-megaprojects-brighten-outlook

[RyeJay]

Megaprojects brighten outlook
September 18, 2012 - 8:50pm BY BILL POWER BUSINESS REPORTER

Nova Centre, Skye Halifax developments compensate for sluggish construction, says economist

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B9779300Z.120120918204930000G0I1CFDH.11.jpg
Rank Inc. president and CEO Joe Ramia stands in July where the Chronicle Herald once stood on Argyle Street in Halifax. Rank Inc. is building Nova Centre, a one million square foot mixed-use development on the site.

A couple of megaprojects in downtown Halifax are beacons of economic growth next year in the metropolitan area, a Conference Board of Canada economist said Tuesday.

Nova Centre and Skye Halifax will help compensate for some sluggishness in the construction sector expected next year after completion of some large multi-unit residential complexes this year, said the board’s Jane McIntyre.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/137165-megaprojects-brighten-outlook

This article matches United Gulf's apparent confidence in Skye Halifax. The rejection of the proposal is more likely than not. In any event, I want this approval process to hurry along so we can move forward with either this development or some other.

[Dmajackson]

Dartmouth apartments to rise again
September 19, 2012 - 8:40pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER

Firefighters battle a blaze at an Arthur Street apartment building in Dartmouth in December 2011. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff / File)
An apartment building destroyed in a New Year’s Eve fire will be rebuilt, although specific details won’t be released until next week.

A fire ripped through a four-storey, 64-unit building at 25 Arthur St. in the Woodside area of Dartmouth on Dec. 31, forcing 70 tenants on the street.

...

Read More Here: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/137527-dartmouth-apartments-to-rise-again?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

[musicman]

15 million dollar addition to the cancer society building on south street was announced at pier 21 tonight. I don't know what form it will take but it will be to provide rooms for out of town patients that are getting cancer treatments in town. They are at 11.25 million raised right now so they are nearing their goal.

[someone123]

I guess that's this one? http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17198Details.html

[Nilan8888]

This article matches United Gulf's apparent confidence in Skye Halifax. The rejection of the proposal is more likely than not. In any event, I want this approval process to hurry along so we can move forward with either this development or some other.

Given the legal situation, I'm not sure it I'd WANT UG to be approved for any significant development right now. Something is fishy with those guys.

But I hope Ramia gets that Convention Centre built ASAP.

[Jstaleness]

Do we have a thread for this one? Called The Quinn. To be built in the area of Lancaster Dr. in Dartmouth.

http://www.quinncondo.com/index.html

[haligonia]

I'm not sure if there's a thread, but I do remember seeing (and subsequently trashing) this development. I think it's been posted in the Suburban Developments thread.

[Nilan8888]

Y'know... thinking about that article some more, why would anyone think that construction next year would be sluggish?

There's a few projects that might be closer to complete than not, like the Library, Waterton Tower II, Waterside Center, etc... but with only 3 months left in the year:

- As stated, the Convention Center is starting
- The Sister Sites will probably begin soon
- The TD tower extension is gearing up
- The Citadel Hotel rework will probably reach its peak sometime next year
- Most of the work on Craigmore will be going on during 2013

Add on top of that the Young St. Development and King's Wharf showing no signs of backing off the signature tower, and I'm not sure why you even need Skye to carry Halifax through 'stagnating construction'.

If they were talking about 2014, maybe then I'd understand... I could see all these developments satiating the local demand. But it seems that there's too much stuff already either breaking ground or on the verge of breaking ground to say that 2013 is going to have stagnant construction.

[someone123]

Y'know... thinking about that article some more, why would anyone think that construction next year would be sluggish?

The accounting is normally done in terms of construction starts, so anything starting up in 2012 does not count for 2013 even though the actual work itself might continue. Halifax is a smaller city so this number is particularly meaningless; the Nova Centre will by itself be a huge part of the total. A project like that can make or break the numbers depending on whether it starts up in December or January. In a bigger city, individual projects are probably normally a smaller part of the total.

Another factor is that urban projects only make up part of the total. A lot of suburban stuff started up in 2012.

In any case, I think there will be tons of construction happening in the city centre through the end of 2012 and into 2013. I don't think it's been this busy since the 1980s.

[halifaxboyns]

I wonder if we'll see a situation that was similar to Alberta in 2007 where it was a struggle to find cranes? That happened in the Fort Mac, Calgary and Edmonton in 2007 and they were all pilfering from each other...

Should be interesting.

[musicman]

Sitting at the fireside a friend and i were going through current and upcoming developments and it is not much of a streatch if we see 30 cranes in hrm at one time. And it could be as high as 35. We should see mid to high 20's no problem if things keep on going the way they are going right now.

[Nilan8888]

Mayoral race underway. Check out the comments section here:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/138422-halifax-elections-leadership-questions

To quote an individual dubbed Quiet Comment:

Who made up these question, the Ecology Action Center or The group that wants Tax reform?
The people of this city don't know what traffic is as we do not have the huge problem it is being made out to be. Ask someone who has come here from a large center like Toronto and spent some time and they will tell you we have a pretty good system of moving people. No it is not perfect but it is not as bad as it has been made out to be. The continued references to "Sprawl" are a joke too. Yes you have development outside the core. We have a geographic layout that will do that. Density could be increased but with it come high priced housing and not everyone wants to live in these areas. Tax reform may be something to look at but the ideas of tying taxes to income will never fly. The middle class will take the brunt on that so hopefully they get out and vote against whoever has this one on their agenda.

[NewBalearic]

I'm not sure if this has been posted anywhere (I don't remember seeing it), but there is a new cafe planned for the corner of Agricola and Woodill (2347 Agricola).

Case 17885 (http://www.halifax.ca/planning/Case17885Details.html)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xgWQlwahTSlrpXa4856uBY7_vuLLBuszeV05v5E_-BSRvuJVHw4vdbCJpsSjmfb79y1Rqz09Kxw

It is subject to a development agreement process, but I like the the building, and I'd be pumped to have a new cafe in my neighbourhood!

[coolmillion]

^ shocking that a development agreement is required for this. A cafe is a non-conforming use on Agricola?! What a waste of resources.

[JET]

[I]Dartmouth apartments to rise again
September 19, 2012 - 8:40pm BY REMO ZACCAGNA BUSINESS REPORTER



Read More Here: thechronicleherald.ca (http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/137527-dartmouth-apartments-to-rise-again?utm_source=website&utm_medium=mobi&utm_campaign=full-site)

I really hope that they do a re-design with this, and not just a re-build;
the old building was butt-ugly!:yuck:

[worldlyhaligonian]

^ shocking that a development agreement is required for this. A cafe is a non-conforming use on Agricola?! What a waste of resources.

Status quo in Halifax as far as I can see... the place seems legislated to death.

[Keith P.]

They're not going to get a developer to pay the city $5M to demolish a large building and then use half of the land for townhouses. I suspect they don't care much if their plan isn't viable for a private developer because they'd probably be happy to turn this into a public project bankrolled by the city.

The judge handed down his decision today - in favor of the community groups. It is over 40 pages long (available for now on the Herald site) and I have skimmed through it. The judge totally failed to grasp the arguments about market value versus other approaches to value and used that to decide against HRM. I have no doubt they will appeal.

If they do not, the derelict school buildings will stay there for many years and continue to decay while the community groups scrounge various public sources for funding to let them build their clinic and daycare. What a dark day for the area.

[fenwick16]

:previous: Here is a link to the story - http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/139241-court-nixes-sale-of-st-pats-alexandra-school-to-developer#stpatsruling


Court nixes sale of St. Pat's-Alexandra school to developer
September 24, 2012 - 11:09am BY KELLY SHIERS STAFF REPORTER

The fate of a former inner-city school property is up in the air today, after the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (http://www.scribd.com/doc/106832606/St-Patrick-s-Alexandra-ruling) sided with three community groups and halted its sale to a private developer.
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[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Central Common Tennis Court Renovations:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8021672073_764916937c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8021672617_572d47574d_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8021676222_34b23dd776_b.jpg

[Keith P.]

:previous: What are "progressive" tennis courts? Do they all lean to the left? :D