[HaliStreaks]

Not sure if this is 'thread-worthy' but I'm going to stick it up here anyway.

Saw this the other day when I was up taking photos of the big fire over in Herring Cove from the Portland Hills bus terminal. Looks like a fairly significant bit of new retail/office space going up along Portland Street.

Site prep has started, and they are claiming the first phase is going to be open in the fall so the buildings should start pretty soon.

http://www.portlandhills.ca/images/renderings/builda.jpg

http://www.portlandhills.ca/images/renderings/buildbc.jpg

http://www.portlandhills.ca/images/renderings/birdseye.jpg


More information available here on the website!

http://www.portlandhills.ca/

[Dmajackson]

The buildings look good. :)

Whats the grey area in the parking lot though in the last photo?

[HaliStreaks]

Whats the grey area in the parking lot though in the last photo?

From what I understand looking at the site plan and blueprints for the complex, that is going to be a 4th building that will be added later on as the place gets more secure in the area... Kinda like that gravel plot at the end of the shops at Dartmouth Crossing.

Businesses in there are going to do well, I can already tell. The proximity to the bus terminal (aka, next door lol) is going to be a HUGE plus for this complex.

[hfx_chris]

If this is going where I think it's going, that means one thing to me: the city won't be able to (easily) expand the parking lot at the terminal, which is seriously overcrowded.

[Jonovision]

Not too bad as far as suburban stuff goes.

[Dmajackson]

Just to get oriented in the last photo the entrance to the bus terminal is in the far left corner.

As for the terminal expanding there is a relatively large open field in back of the parking lot which is undeveloped and not part of the neighbouring streets. According to Explore HRM it is already listed as parkland so HRM already owns it and the parking could be extended into there with a second entrance further down Portland Hills Drive and then link it up to the trail system in Portland Hills.

[HaliStreaks]

As for the terminal expanding there is a relatively large open field in back of the parking lot which is undeveloped and not part of the neighbouring streets. According to Explore HRM it is already listed as parkland so HRM already owns it and the parking could be extended into there with a second entrance further down Portland Hills Drive and then link it up to the trail system in Portland Hills.

*gasp* Do you think the city could ever consider maybe a 2 level parking area to help alleviate the current congestion up there?... I doubt that would ever happen, but it would be a good idea and would help promote more people to use the transit system in the future.

[worldlyhaligonian]

*gasp* Do you think the city could ever consider maybe a 2 level parking area to help alleviate the current congestion up there?... I doubt that would ever happen, but it would be a good idea and would help promote more people to use the transit system in the future.

It seems nobody understands that concept in Halifax... we have very few underground parking lots or parking structures.

[HaliStreaks]

It seems nobody understands that concept in Halifax... we have very few underground parking lots or parking structures.

I know, it drives me crazy, and it's really unfortunate because it saves a shitload of space and can make your surface level look a whole lot nicer.

Imagine a 2 level at Portland Hills, even with both levels underground, close them off to prevent vandalism and all that jazz off peak hours, and put a nice park on top of it instead of a vacant lot... or a single level of parking.

[Dmajackson]

So does anyone know how this one is progressing?

[HaliStreaks]

So does anyone know how this one is progressing?

I'll let you know tomorrow haha, going to be up that way on my way to Hali for a little personal tour of building sites :)

[Wishblade]

To be honest, they graded the building site, and absolutely nothing has happened since.

[HaliStreaks]

To be honest, they graded the building site, and absolutely nothing has happened since.

Yea...exactly what he said... lol

[HaliStreaks]

It seems they are doing some work on this site. I drove past the other day and they seem to be erecting rebar for support columns on "building C" on the south corner of the site... I thought they just kinda forgot about this one... but it seems to be making some progress.

[Dmajackson]

Case 15925 (http://www.halifax.ca/municipalclerk/documents/Case15925.pdf)

Just one of those normal ammendments to allow another commercial sign.

How are the buildings underway coming along? anybody know?

[Wishblade]

I live quite close to this so I will see if I can find time to get some pictures of it tommorow.

Work is progressing on the first building with the frame up and exterior work beginning. The footings are also now in place for a second building.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Two of the three buildings are completed:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6778540393_3abc3ff0a7_b.jpg

A day-care is the lone occupant:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6778538761_fd74df1a01_b.jpg

The pedway between the two buildings:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6778539545_59368ca0f8_b.jpg

[alps]

Weird. I was out there around the same time last year. Those two buildings were completed and were empty except for the daycare then, too.

[Pete Crawford]

The entire ground-floor retail space is empty except for a small bakery (which, btw is a fantastic little place, I can't recommend it enough.)

I don't understand why this can't fill. It's in a high-end neighbourhood and a fairly high traffic area, the economy is good. Spaces in crappy strip malls on Portland Street and Cole Harbour Road are all full... Maybe the owner is just incompetent, but something has to be going on with this.

[Pete Crawford]

I'm worried about the bakery staying in business as well. It's fairly hidden, but the lady that runs it is really friendly and makes great stuff. Probably that area's best kept secret.

I had a pretzel from there yesterday, and it's gotta be the best pretzel I've had.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

I'm worried about the bakery staying in business as well. It's fairly hidden, but the lady that runs it is really friendly and makes great stuff. Probably that area's best kept secret.

I had a pretzel from there yesterday, and it's gotta be the best pretzel I've had.

Is the bakery on the left hand side of the first picture? I didn't look hard enough. :redface:

[someone123]

It is surprisingly nice looking, for a strip mall.

[Pete Crawford]

It's the place with the metal sign/banner in the front on the second picture... facing Portland Hills. I think the daycare is upstairs.