[someone123]

This is a redevelopment of 3 historic buildings at 1652, 1656, and 1662 Barrington Street (former Sam the Record Man).

Details are here: http://www.starfishproperties.ca/barringtonespace/barrington_pres.pdf

The developer mentioned in Allnovascotia that he wants to have tenants in the redeveloped buildings by the end of the summer this year - sounds like work is to begin shortly.

[fenwick16]

Hopefully there will be many more similar redevelopment projects taking place in the near future. I am looking forward to seeing the NFB building plans - hopefully renderings will be out soon. There are many under-utilized buildings in the downtown core that could be used for office and residential redevelopment.

[beyeas]

This is a redevelopment of 3 historic buildings at 1652, 1656, and 1662 Barrington Street (former Sam the Record Man).

Details are here: http://www.starfishproperties.ca/barringtonespace/barrington_pres.pdf

The developer mentioned in Allnovascotia that he wants to have tenants in the redeveloped buildings by the end of the summer this year - sounds like work is to begin shortly.

So this one is approved already? Or is it still going through the HRMbD process? I would certainly be pleased if it had made it through the process this quickly, especially given that this is one of the 1st "test cases" to try the new process, but I would be surprised if it was done already.:shrug:

[eastcoastal]

So this one is approved already? Or is it still going through the HRMbD process? I would certainly be pleased if it had made it through the process this quickly, especially given that this is one of the 1st "test cases" to try the new process, but I would be surprised if it was done already.:shrug:

I was told that it was approved earlier this week. There is still a period where it can be contested, but I'd be surprised if that happened with this particular development. As well as the regular HRMbyDesign process, this proposal also went through the Heritage Advisory Committee. The Committee was supposed to advise council on Substantial Alterations to the registered heritage properties included in the redevelopment, and they produced a positive finding weeks ago.

[beyeas]

I was told that it was approved earlier this week. There is still a period where it can be contested, but I'd be surprised if that happened with this particular development. As well as the regular HRMbyDesign process, this proposal also went through the Heritage Advisory Committee. The Committee was supposed to advise council on Substantial Alterations to the registered heritage properties included in the redevelopment, and they produced a positive finding weeks ago.

Wow! Awesome... HRMbD may have its flaws, but if nothing else it does seem then that the process is faster and more straightforward. In the "old days" this would have gone no where yet.

[someone123]

Yes, so far it seems like the HbD process is much faster. There are also some new incentives to promote development along Barrington, along with some more controls governing how new buildings can be done.

For a small project like this, getting some government money and getting approved in a few months instead of a few years probably makes a huge difference. I hope we do see a bunch of other similar developments - there's the Keith Building, Roy Building, Masonic Hall, Tip Top Tailors building which may be sold, Discovery Centre...

[Dmajackson]

Looks like the final say on this is tonight;

http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/100413ca1131.pdf

[sdm]

Looks like the final say on this is tonight;

http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/100413ca1131.pdf

I have to admit that i am not very impressed at how long even this took to reach this point.

I was hoping HRM by design would be faster.

[someone123]

I wonder who or what was responsible for this delay.

Have a look at this: http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/hac/Agendas.html

Two Heritage Advisory meetings since Feb 11, three cancelled, two due to lack of quorum.

[sdm]

I wonder who or what was responsible for this delay.

Have a look at this: http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/hac/Agendas.html

Two Heritage Advisory meetings since Feb 11, three cancelled, two due to lack of quorum.

Sad

I mean when will people learn that timing is a big part of developments. The longer it takes to get approved the greater the chances the market can change. Then of course there is extra carrying costs (not always).

So far the HRM is slow with the barrington street developments. Lets hope things are faster for developments else wheres

[Keith P.]

Passed very quickly tonight.

The HAC should be dissolved if they cannot get quorum at meetings.

[halifaxboyns]

Passed very quickly tonight.

The HAC should be dissolved if they cannot get quorum at meetings.

I never understood the point of the HAC if part of HbD was to come up with a Planning Committee. In Calgary we have the Planning Commission (all re-zonings and special development permits like new office buildings in DT and any multi res buildings over 50 units go to them for approval). Then we have the Land Use, Planning and Transportation Committee which does things like heritage and broad based policy stuff (since the public hearing occurs at the committee instead of council).

Why not alter the purpose of this planning committee to include heritage matters if in downtown?

[sdm]

I never understood the point of the HAC if part of HbD was to come up with a Planning Committee. In Calgary we have the Planning Commission (all re-zonings and special development permits like new office buildings in DT and any multi res buildings over 50 units go to them for approval). Then we have the Land Use, Planning and Transportation Committee which does things like heritage and broad based policy stuff (since the public hearing occurs at the committee instead of council).

Why not alter the purpose of this planning committee to include heritage matters if in downtown?

Well the dates missed seem to be consistent with the district 12 board as well.

I mean looking at the below page the members haven't even updated the minutes for 2010 yet, let alone for a few months in 2009.

http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/Dist12PAC/Agendas.html

[someone123]

The committees are pretty obviously messed up. I don't know why HRM council was voting on this either - we don't need 23+ people to rubber stamp a simple development.

The HAC could have a role making high-level planning recommendations but it's excessive to have them weigh in on every project.

That being said, I am pretty optimistic about Barrington at this point. The Sam the Record Man space has been empty for years. I'll be really happy if and when the NFB building gets fixed up. The one big thing that is worrisome is the Roy Building plan - hopefully we won't see a 5 year delay and then a pile of rubble...

[sdm]

The committees are pretty obviously messed up. I don't know why HRM council was voting on this either - we don't need 23+ people to rubber stamp a simple development.

The HAC could have a role making high-level planning recommendations but it's excessive to have them weigh in on every project.

That being said, I am pretty optimistic about Barrington at this point. The Sam the Record Man space has been empty for years. I'll be really happy if and when the NFB building gets fixed up. The one big thing that is worrisome is the Roy Building plan - hopefully we won't see a 5 year delay and then a pile of rubble...

Couldn't agree more. The committees need to recognize they have a role, if not then disolve them.

I wish we could see projects like this (see link) with the NFB, albeit there isn't a lane way or front yard to use. The material choice and design elements i believe would make for a very exciting project.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140671

[someone123]

Looks nice, although it seems very similar to the NFB proposal, aside from the fact that it's for a different type of site. The NFB proposal seems nice and will also include a new housing on Argyle (too bad the Neptune didn't have the same kind of mixed-use design when it was built.. I've always thought it would be nicer with a few floors of residential on top).

We might also see some changes for CD Plus and the Carsand-Mosher building. I don't think it would take a lot to make the street look vastly better than it does now.

[eastcoastal]

I never understood the point of the HAC if part of HbD was to come up with a Planning Committee. In Calgary we have the Planning Commission (all re-zonings and special development permits like new office buildings in DT and any multi res buildings over 50 units go to them for approval). Then we have the Land Use, Planning and Transportation Committee which does things like heritage and broad based policy stuff (since the public hearing occurs at the committee instead of council).

Why not alter the purpose of this planning committee to include heritage matters if in downtown?

HAC isn't really part of HbD, but still is expected to provide recommendations to Council on significant alterations to Registered Heritage buildings. Seems a little convoluted for a process that is supposed to be streamlined.

I checked the minutes, and this was recommended by the HAC back on February 11th. Seems odd they had so many meetings scheduled for March... my understanding is that these types of committees usually are composed of volunteers, and are expected to meet once a month.

[someone123]

Allnovascotia is reporting that this project should get started next month and will take until the end of the fall to complete.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

How long did the process take start to finish, once it was formally presented to HRM for approval? It wasn't overly speedy no, but it's got to be a HUGE improvement over the previous approval times, and this is the first project to go through HRMbyDesign, so let's hope this is a first run hiccup.

[someone123]

Apparently the goal is a 60 day approval process, which seems pretty reasonable. Not sure how long it actually took, but it is an improvement over the old system and I could see it getting a bit better in the future as people figure things out.

One thing I wonder, however, is how this would have turned out in a "worst case" proposal. This development is small and innocuous. What would have happened if there had been a development proposed for one of the bigger HbD-sanctioned sites? That is where things really fell apart with the old system.

[Jonovision]

It's taken roughly 5 months. The first public meeting for this one was the week before Christmas if I remember correctly.

[eastcoastal]

It's taken roughly 5 months. The first public meeting for this one was the week before Christmas if I remember correctly.
I'm not sure how long the proposal's been around... the 60 days number is not a "target" though. If a project is not approved within 60 days of the submission of its Site Plan Approval documents to the Municipality, then it is considered rejected. The key is the clock starts ticking at the submission, not when the developer starts talking to the community.

[Jonovision]

I'm not sure how long the proposal's been around... the 60 days number is not a "target" though. If a project is not approved within 60 days of the submission of its Site Plan Approval documents to the Municipality, then it is considered rejected. The key is the clock starts ticking at the submission, not when the developer starts talking to the community.

True, but my understanding of the new process was that the public meeting was suppose to line up with the submission. This obviously didn't happen. But non the less I'm glad to see things moving at a much more reasonable pace.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Meh, I think it only went through the process because its not tall... we have yet to see a tall proposal go through HbD.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

I can't imagine too many new big projects coming down the pipe anytime soon, they all got rushed through before HRMbyDesign. It's true though, a big project will be the test.

[Dmajackson]

Meh, I think it only went through the process because its not tall... we have yet to see a tall proposal go through HbD.

What about the proposed TD Tower expansion? That is/was heading through the HbD

[worldlyhaligonian]

What about the proposed TD Tower expansion? That is/was heading through the HbD

Lol, ok... let's say for a totally new development of that height then. I doubt anything like that will be proposed soon due to the backlog, but we'll wait and see.

[someone123]

Lol, ok... let's say for a totally new development of that height then. I doubt anything like that will be proposed soon due to the backlog, but we'll wait and see.

Well, you never know.. the Trillium is under construction and it was proposed after United Gulf or a number of others. There's no requirement for a new developer to wait until the current round is done.

[Dmajackson]

No construction yet but for a little thread *bump* here's a photo of the site;

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4694005004_bf621e5533_b.jpg

[someone123]

Barrington Street right now looks like such a disgrace. I do think it's going to improve fairly quickly, but for now it looks like Detroit or Buffalo. It never should have gotten into this state in the first place.

[eastcoastal]

What about the proposed TD Tower expansion? That is/was heading through the HbD

TD hasn't hit the HbD process yet, and from what I hear, it doesn't meet the non-negotiable requirements, so probably wouldn't make it to the design review committee.

[Dmajackson]

Has anybody been around this site lately? It was supposed to start construction this summer ...

[eastcoastal]

Has anybody been around this site lately? It was supposed to start construction this summer ...

Was on Barrington St. this weekend. No visible progress here.

[DigitalNinja]

Has starfish ever even built something downtown? Or have they just bought up a bunch of small older buildings?

[halifaxboyns]

If this was approved through HbD and the committee; my impression was it only gave development approval and didn't authorize a building permit? If that's the case; they still need to get the building permit approved before they can progress to construction - which might take a while considering the age of the buildings.

I could be wrong.

I haven't been home since last Christmas, but I have to say I agree with you someone123, it is pretty bad. But I hold out hope that even with little projects like this, we can bring about some change in the downtown core.

Baby steps forward are better (in my mind) than a giant leap backwards! Plus from what I saw, the renderings looked pretty good and integrated well the old and new.

[someone123]

I read at one point that several of these were waiting for building permits, but I am not sure if that is the case for this development.

[halifaxboyns]

I read at one point that several of these were waiting for building permits, but I am not sure if that is the case for this development.

I suspect that it might be problem - the one downside when you do developments like this (which is what I think waterside ran into at one point) is that bringing the older parts of the development up to code isn't easy at all.

[Northend Guy]

I've heard thru the grapevine that the holdup on this job isn't the permit, but that they don't actually have any tenants yet. ...hopefully that will change soon.

[sdm]

I've heard thru the grapevine that the holdup on this job isn't the permit, but that they don't actually have any tenants yet. ...hopefully that will change soon.

Thats the word on the street and the reason a number of projects are not proceeding quickly.

[Dmajackson]

Construction permit has been issued for this building. As of yesterday no work had begun.

- DJ

[someone123]

There was an article in Allnovascotia tonight about this development. They confirm that the building permit was issued in July but that the developers have delayed construction. They said they might start this winter or in the Spring.

Part of the reason given was that they're just busy with other projects. I wonder if they have tenants lined up...?

[sdm]

There was an article in Allnovascotia tonight about this development. They confirm that the building permit was issued in July but that the developers have delayed construction. They said they might start this winter or in the Spring.

Part of the reason given was that they're just busy with other projects. I wonder if they have tenants lined up...?

My understanding is no tenants have signed yet.

Shame, looks like a great project, but unfortunately the vacancy rate is going the other way, wait till the latest report as it will be up again.

As vacancy increases the existing product has greater advantage over new projects, especially downtown.

[someone123]

I'm surprised they didn't make this a residential project with retail and apartments above. It probably would have been easier to find tenants and better for the downtown.

It also makes me wonder how they are going to take on projects like the Roy Building if even this one takes years to move forward.

[halifaxboyns]

I'm surprised they didn't make this a residential project with retail and apartments above. It probably would have been easier to find tenants and better for the downtown.

It also makes me wonder how they are going to take on projects like the Roy Building if even this one takes years to move forward.

I would guess that they figured if they re-developed the Roy Building and this one in conjunction or this one first followed by Roy; it would be a 'build it and they will come' scenario.

Personally, I think they would've been better off doing Roy first - get the people there and then do this one.

[Jstaleness]

This is more so for Barrington St. as a whole. Wouldn't Barrington look cool done like this. The already proposed towers could fit in nicely. This is 13th St in Washington

Photo by GregHickman on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5052989194_6933352947.jpg

[BravoZulu]

From the Carsand-Mosher article in the CH

Meanwhile, Starfish, which is controlled by Toronto-based Louis Reznick, is moving ahead with its new eSpace retail and office complex in the former Sam the Record Man property on Barrington.

The project will include the former music store at 1656 Barrington, an adjacent brick-faced building at 1652 Barrington and the former Granite Brewery building to the north at 1662 Barrington. The company plans to combine the three addresses while retaining their distinctive historic facades.

The Starfish development also includes the construction of a glass and metal addition above them that will be set back about three metres from the street front.

"Interior work at eSpace has been ongoing for quite some time," Rob Landry, the company’s property manager, said in an email. "Once we finalize a few remaining details we should be underway with the exterior and structural phase of construction shortly."

[fenwick16]

It is good to hear that interior work on the eSpace is currently underway. It will be even better to see the exterior construction begin.

[someone123]

I guess I'll set this one to under construction then. I'm also looking forward to seeing pictures of exterior construction and eventual tenants!

[Waye Mason]

This would be relatively quick to build, it would be nice to get this underway or done before the Roy starts to come down on the other side of the street.

[eastcoastal]

From the Carsand-Mosher article in the CH

I don't know how much meaningful interior work can be done prior to the structural work starting...

[BravoZulu]

I don't know how much meaningful interior work can be done prior to the structural work starting...

Funny I was thinking the same thing. I'm assuming that it must be referring to the demo that was going on because otherwise it seem like putting the cart before the horse kind of

[fenwick16]

I thought there was a thread for ESpace, but I couldn't find it. But things are now progressing on the site.

Here are some pics from Dawn Sloanes facebook page.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227373_10150755537080001_831580000_18591972_7711476_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229688_10150755536900001_831580000_18591970_4543107_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230113_10150755538145001_831580000_18591984_8311127_n.jpg



Thank you for the pictures Jonovision. It is great to see this moving along! I think this project will do wonders for Barrington Street.

[someone123]

Allnovascotia mentioned interest from national retailers in the storefront of this development. I don't remember what the floorplan is supposed to look like but it could attract something good.

According to the story the ground floor tenant will have to wait until the office floors are complete. They said the developer wants to have the development "ready" for the Fall. Not sure if this means prep work, construction complete, and/or interior ready for tenants.

[Northend Guy]

Pretty sure they are trying to get all of the infrastructure in place so the tenants can come in and do their fit-up work when it is 'ready'. Includes all exit corridors, common bathrooms, basic mechanical infrastructure for all of the spaces. I suspect this place is going to have quite a nice vibe when it is all done. I must say it is nice to see it moving ahead! This is going to dramatically change the streetscape on that block. Hopefully this will be successful & we will see the life start to come back to Barrington!

[CorbeauNoir]

This is more so for Barrington St. as a whole. Wouldn't Barrington look cool done like this. The already proposed towers could fit in nicely. This is 13th St in Washington

Photo by GregHickman on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5052989194_6933352947.jpg

Reminds me a bit of Yaletown in Vancouver. Lots of residential density with shortish apartment towers mixed in with townhouses. Would be interesting to see a similar kind of district pop up in central Halifax.

[Haliguy]

Pretty sure they are trying to get all of the infrastructure in place so the tenants can come in and do their fit-up work when it is 'ready'. Includes all exit corridors, common bathrooms, basic mechanical infrastructure for all of the spaces. I suspect this place is going to have quite a nice vibe when it is all done. I must say it is nice to see it moving ahead! This is going to dramatically change the streetscape on that block. Hopefully this will be successful & we will see the life start to come back to Barrington!


Its good to see this move ahead. With this and North Face moving in up the street and the new wine bar doing well things could be turning around for Barrington St.

[ScovaNotian]

This presentation (http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/Conf2010/Presentations/David%20Garrett%20-%20Heritage%20Interiors.pdf) has some Espace related pictures, but also interior photos from Morse's Tea Building and several others on Barrington.

[fenwick16]

This presentation (http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/Conf2010/Presentations/David%20Garrett%20-%20Heritage%20Interiors.pdf) has some Espace related pictures, but also interior photos from Morse's Tea Building and several others on Barrington.

This link is very interesting. There are slides of the NFB redevelopment plans and it appears as though the plans are complete or almost complete. Maybe construction will begin soon(?).

[Northend Guy]

Pretty sure they are trying to get all of the infrastructure in place so the tenants can come in and do their fit-up work when it is 'ready'. Includes all exit corridors, common bathrooms, basic mechanical infrastructure for all of the spaces. I suspect this place is going to have quite a nice vibe when it is all done. I must say it is nice to see it moving ahead! This is going to dramatically change the streetscape on that block. Hopefully this will be successful & we will see the life start to come back to Barrington!

As an edit to my previous post, I more recently heard that they are simply doing the facade work - renewing the exterior finshes, installing all the new glazing, etc. Still no news on tenants. This is actually a nice change from the norm - a developer who is renewing something without having a tenant. Not a bad strategy in my opinion - not only does it serve as an act of goodwill to the retinas of passerby, but I'm sure it must make it easier for potential tenants to guage the quality of what they are signing up for.

This actually instills in me some measure of confidence that the Roy Building will not be left as an unsightly hole in the ground once the current building is demolished. (being the same developer) I am very excited to see what will happen in DT over the next 2-3 years!

[Jonovision]

I think his plan is to move the tenants from the Roy building into this space.

[someone123]

I read that too somewhere.

That being said, I do think "move in ready" space is preferable to a lot of tenants. I know of smaller companies that would have been interested in something like this and had to move to the suburbs due to a lack of suitable space. I don't think there are enough of those companies to fill giant office towers but this is quite small.

[halifaxboyns]

I read that too somewhere.

That being said, I do think "move in ready" space is preferable to a lot of tenants. I know of smaller companies that would have been interested in something like this and had to move to the suburbs due to a lack of suitable space. I don't think there are enough of those companies to fill giant office towers but this is quite small.

He actually said it last night during the public hearing.

[Jonovision]

I think Espace is suppose to be more for the start up companies, much like the roy building is now.

On another note. Can someone change the title of the thread to under construction?

[worldlyhaligonian]

How long is construction estimated to take?

[Jonovision]

Not long. They say it should be ready this fall.

[someone123]

Here's a photo of the progress taken by Shawnee G on flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/5821041039_4cd3c76fc2_b.jpg
Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57827493@N06/5821041039/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

[kph06]

I drove by here today and saw Peter Kelly and three other men with suites and hardhats leaving the front door. He must have been getting a tour of the progress.

[halifaxboyns]

There seems to be progress being made - that is positive. Gutting older buildings like that can take a lot of time. There was a building on Stephen Avenue (8 Ave SW) in the heritage district that had a complete exterior and interior reno. It went from a really divish building to a nice new restaurant - great food and the interior reno looks awesome.

[Dmajackson]

Quickie from today;

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6239083444_ddb166cb47_z.jpg

[Jstaleness]

Is that payphone a protected Heritage Site?

[mcmcclassic]

Is that payphone a protected Heritage Site?

The heritage trust need one to call their friends--- there's no way any of them own cellphones.

[MonctonRad]

Is that payphone a protected Heritage Site?

They're already an endangered species - give 'em another 20 years and they will be...... :)

[resetcbu1]

There seems to be progress being made - that is positive. Gutting older buildings like that can take a lot of time. There was a building on Stephen Avenue (8 Ave SW) in the heritage district that had a complete exterior and interior reno. It went from a really divish building to a nice new restaurant - great food and the interior reno looks awesome.

Stephen Ave is a great mix of new and old, all of the older buildings along it are in great shape, as are the stores that fill them ..... To think, heritage buildings mingle with the likes of; Bankers hall , TD, Scotia Cntr and yet it hasn't taken away from the appeal of that area one bit..... Hmmmmm maybe, HT should head out here to see the possibilities of a blend of new and old , see it works!:tup:

Not to mention , because the area is sought after business wise , the owners of these buildings can afford the up-keep unlike Barington st.

[Jonovision]

No picture, but scaffolding started to go up all along Barrington yesterday.

[someone123]

An article in ANS tonight implied that pretty soon they'll be working on the new floors above the existing buildings. The building is expected to be ready for occupants in late 2012.

It will be interesting to see if we hear anything about the Roy Building as this nears completion. It's possible they'll be shifting some tenants over. If the Roy plans include a significant residential portion they could move pretty quickly.

[RyeJay]

An article in ANS tonight implied that pretty soon they'll be working on the new floors above the existing buildings. The building is expected to be ready for occupants in late 2012.

It will be interesting to see if we hear anything about the Roy Building as this nears completion. It's possible they'll be shifting some tenants over. If the Roy plans include a significant residential portion they could move pretty quickly.

I'm relieved about the aim for a late 2012 occupancy. I was beginning to wonder if this project was starting to drag its feet.

Although I have a greater eagerness for the old Discovery location to redevelop and tremendously improve the famished street of Sackville, the Roy Building will be a second new tower for Barrington, which will have enough height to tie-in nicely with the existing banking towers.

[someone123]

I haven't been back in a long time so I'm not sure what progress has been like lately. It's easy to imagine a renovation project like this having some involved and difficult-to-predict phases where from the outside things look roughly unchanged for weeks at a time. Once they start putting in windows and finishing touches I'm sure it'll look far better than before.

Another big advantage of this building is that the new retail spaces will be highly desirable and suitable for major tenants. The article stated that there has been interest from some national retailers, which is unsurprising. I think Barrington's problems lately have had a lot to do with a lack of modern spaces and the development approval logjam.

[Nifta]

They were starting to put on some temporary roofing over the site when I had a look earlier this week. There's definitely some progress happening.

Looks like they've accidentally damaged some parts of the facade at the very top of the left-side building (part of the stonework has been knocked off), but I'm guessing they'll be able to restore it

[JET]

why is this project called "Espace" ?

[Pete Crawford]

why is this project called "Espace" ?

It means space in French. High-brow marketing?

[kwajo]

why is this project called "Espace" ?
They wanted to name it after a Renault minivan ;)

[JET]

They wanted to name it after a Renault minivan ;)

Pete's response sounds plausible;
Kwajo's sounds silly and hilarious;
I wondered if it had something to do with there being 3 buildings, 3 spaces, and they reversed the 3 to be a ' E '; 3space > Espace ? ;
dunno anyone else?
inquiring minds...

[FuzzyWuz]

why is this project called "Espace" ?

Barrington St. is the Efinal Efrontier?

[RyeJay]

It means space in French. High-brow marketing?

I believe so. I suspect it also has to do with the additional floors. Espace also means 'outer space' in English, but most often in a context of fine arts. High-brow, indeed.

[Haliguy]

Starfish Espace project on schedule, manager says January 11, 2012 - 8:27pm By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter Flag as offensive 0
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'It’s taking the amount of time we want it to take' — Landry says
Artist's rendering of Starfish Properties' Barrington Espace building. (Contributed)
Contrary to reports, the opening of the Barrington Espace building is not delayed, says the project’s developer.

In its fourth quarter office market review, released earlier this week, Colliers International reported that the opening of the renovated former Sam the Record Man building was being pushed “into the latter half of 2012.”

But Rob Landry, property manager of Starfish Properties, said the company is going at its own pace in the three-year rebuild.

“We don’t look at it as being delayed,” he said Wednesday. “We’re working on our project and it’s taking the amount of time we want it to take.”

If the weather co-operates, the building should be finished sometime in the summer, Landry said.

“We’re not pushing to get this done,” he said. “We’re trying to do the best job on this space that we could possibly can. We’re trying to create a great space and as ideas come along, we’re acting on those opportunities.

“So while we thought we might be ready for spring this year, we’re not going to be ready for spring, we’ll probably be ready in the summertime.”

Pam MacFarlane, research director with Colliers International in Halifax, said she stands by her report. Even though the company says the project is not delayed, the project has not followed the schedule previously indicated by Starfish owner Louis Reznick, she said.

“(A delay is) not the interpretation I’m now getting from Mr. Landry. However, Mr. Reznick at one point had said that it was going to be ready in 2011,” MacFarlane said.

She acknowledged the project is a huge undertaking.

“They’re doing extensive (work). I mean they literally ripped everything out behind the second facade. Plus they have a lot of projects on the go ..... so that is a lot of renovations for one small firm.”

The report indicated the current downtown vacancy rate was 11.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 8.1 per cent the previous quarter. The suburban vacancy rate was 10.4 per cent.

The availability rate for downtown Class A units (defined by the Building Owners and Managers Association as the most prestigious buildings with rents above average for an area) is 13.2 per cent, while the vacancy rate is seven per cent. The availability for Class B units (those that compete for a wide range of users with rents in the average range for the area) is 10.1 per cent, with a vacancy rate at 14.9 per cent.

(The availability rate has elevated in importance over the vacancy rate of late. A fluctuating vacancy rate illustrates the rise and fall of available space over a three-month period, whereas the availability rate shows what is happening in the marketplace over a longer time period.)

Once open, the 35,000-square-foot Espace building will have little impact on the downtown office market vacancy rate because of its size, MacFarlane said.

“To make any significant change in the vacancy rate, you’d have to have a larger absorption of space,” she said. “It will increase inventory and it will increase vacancy probably when it comes on but not significantly at all.”

While the lower vacancy rate in the suburban office market will continue over the first few months of 2012, MacFarlane said it should dissipate over time.

“Some of the western provinces are experiencing some suburban office moving back downtown. Halifax won’t see that for the next year,” she said. “The outlook for 2012 is basically a continuing migration to the suburbs, but I feel it’s going to slow the latter part of the year.”

(rzaccagna@herald.ca)

About the Author
By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

The sound of buzzsaw is music to my ears :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6752649311_7fec5e51bd_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6752650827_17333438d6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6752651453_a606a012f1_b.jpg

[someone123]

Hopefully they'll be cleaning the facades soon. Buildings like this look really great when they are cleaned up.

[fenwick16]

Thank you for the pictures SekishikiMeikaiHa. It will be great to see this development as it nears completion.

[kph06]

Photos by me from today:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6853722695_868e9d0967_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6853723889_8c3d253ede_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6853723017_f3331dd56a_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6853723453_3acd852f19_b.jpg

[JustinMacD]

Seems like nothing has changed on these sites in months. I walk by almost every day and I;`m lucky to see a worker in these buildings.

[fenwick16]

Seems like nothing has changed on these sites in months. I walk by almost every day and I;`m lucky to see a worker in these buildings.

It does seem like a slow construction pace. However, based on previous photos, it looks like the interior was almost completely gutted and now I can see that the new interior floors are being constructed. I would guess that within the next couple of months we should see the additional storey being constructed.

[Jstaleness]

By me. Not a lot of change in the past weeks.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu360/jstaleness/IMG00049-20120226-1629.jpg

[fenwick16]

Has there been much progress on the Espace over the past few weeks? It would be good to see it completed for the sake of Barrington Street and also so that Starfish can start on the new Roy Building, which I hope will be mostly residential.

[JustinMacD]

Nothing ever happens on this project. It's been sitting like this for months now. I walk by it everyday. It's ridiculous.

Looks the same as it did 4/5 months ago

[DigitalNinja]

I always look inside when I can. There are people working on it. It looks like they are really re-inforcing the inside They have huge steel beams going across now.

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the updates.

It seems to be a somewhat complex renovation. Hopefully once they get the difficult construction details completed then it will move along quickly.

[Keith P.]

Maybe they hired Polycorp's 5 Moes to work on the thing.

[ScovaNotian]

Maybe they hired Polycorp's 5 Moes to work on the thing.
I don't think they hired more than two of them.

[ILoveHalifax]

How many decades might it take for the 5 moes to build the Roy Building?

[someone123]

It seems to be a somewhat complex renovation. Hopefully once they get the difficult construction details completed then it will move along quickly.

I guess they basically need to build a whole new structure in behind the existing masonry facades that can support an extra three storeys above. Progress will be more noticeable when they start adding floors.