[St. John's] Metro East End Development

[Horsell]

Who is moving into all of these new “mini” office buildings? Obviously this one is Crosbie Services but across the street is a building advertising space and there seems to be activity behind Harvey’s for the new KMK Place office building, plus a smaller building over by Rona.

Up on Kelsey Drive there is another of the “cookie cutter” building going up, bringing that development to five now, I think., with others planned in the general area. If these had all been stacked up down on Water St we would have had ourselves a nice tower or two.

Obviously it is more cost effective to build on the outskirts and parking is certainly more attractive. Only time will tell what effect this will have on these areas and any areas where tenants are vacating. Are we going to see older buildings throughout the city half empty? Can the market handle all this new space?

[Arrakis]

If any of these small office buildings were downtown, they would be considered office towers. Lol. St. John's has a real phobia when it comes to building heights.

Originally Posted by Horsell

Who is moving into all of these new “mini” office buildings? Obviously this one is Crosbie Services but across the street is a building advertising space and there seems to be activity behind Harvey’s for the new KMK Place office building, plus a smaller building over by Rona.

Up on Kelsey Drive there is another of the “cookie cutter” building going up, bringing that development to five now, I think., with others planned in the general area. If these had all been stacked up down on Water St we would have had ourselves a nice tower or two.

Obviously it is more cost effective to build on the outskirts and parking is certainly more attractive. Only time will tell what effect this will have on these areas and any areas where tenants are vacating. Are we going to see older buildings throughout the city half empty? Can the market handle all this new space?

[displacednewfie]

From talking to people since I moved back here 3 weeks ago, I don't think it's a phobia of heights rather a phobia of change. I find that the city as a whole has become complacent with the status quo so to speak and feel that it worked for years and years and years so why change it now.


One major thing I have noticed is the fact of the enormous increase to the cost of living for St. John's. I know the oil and gas has been good to the province but man oh man if you are not working in O&G for the most part you are screwed.

Originally Posted by Arrakis

If any of these small office buildings were downtown, they would be considered office towers. Lol. St. John's has a real phobia when it comes to building heights.

[Horsell]

Another office building for Hebron Way. Drove by there lunchtime and there is a sign up for small building across from the Canadian Tire and they were working on the site prep.

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by displacednewfie

One major thing I have noticed is the fact of the enormous increase to the cost of living for St. John's. I know the oil and gas has been good to the province but man oh man if you are not working in O&G for the most part you are screwed.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. I don't work in O&G and most of my friends and family don't work in it either. I would say we are all doing relatively good. The big projects have created enough spin-off work in other fields I believe to keep the economy pretty healthy. Housing prices have gone up dramatically in the past decade, but they seem to be levelling off and we are still below the national average.

[jeddy1989]

here are a few drive by shots of Hebron Way

[Horsell]

The newest addition to Hebron Way.
http://www.caboxproperties.com/property.html

[Arrakis]

Just stumbled across this 3D video showcasing the Virginia Park Plaza condo conversion.
Looks pretty nice.
http://vimeo.com/101094909

The floorplans can be viewed at http://www.parkplazacondos.ca

[jeddy1989]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Just stumbled across this 3D video showcasing the Virginia Park Plaza condo conversion.
Looks pretty nice.
http://vimeo.com/101094909

The floorplans can be viewed at http://www.parkplazacondos.ca

and here are videos of what the units will look like

http://vimeo.com/105660117

http://vimeo.com/105660118

[Arrakis]

Nice. I wouldn't mind having a condo like that.

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

and here are videos of what the units will look like

http://vimeo.com/105660117

http://vimeo.com/105660118

[Architype]

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

and here are videos of what the units will look like

http://vimeo.com/105660117

http://vimeo.com/105660118

The exterior is pretty horrendous, breaking every known principle of good architecture and urban design. The interiors are basically ok. Poor design has made the St. John's condo market a disastrous failure.

[Arrakis]

Well you are not gonna get much beyond this kind of design in this city. Most developers with take the cheapest route unfortunately. The other thing is that this town still has a height phobia when it comes to condos and office buildings. Be so nice to see some nice condo towers beyond 10 stories. Would love to see a couple of cool condo high rises built on the penitentary site once they move out.


QUOTE=Architype;6736078]The exterior is pretty horrendous, breaking every known principle of good architecture and urban design. The interiors are basically ok. Poor design has made the St. John's condo market a disastrous failure.[/QUOTE]

[Architype]

^ Essentially, people will be living in a commercial parking lot with all the charm of Stavanger Drive.

[Arrakis]

You got that right.

Originally Posted by Architype

^ Essentially, people will be living in a commercial parking lot with all the charm of Stavanger Drive.

[Arrakis]

Here's a billboard at the foot of Temperance Street where the Nolan Hall Hotel/condo development was suppose to go. I think that particular project is dead now. This is what is being proposed for the site now. Looks nice. Too bad the 4 sisters stone houses across the street are in such disrepair. They would make nice condos too if they were purchased by someone decent and restore to full glory.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...51338363_o.jpg

[jeddy1989]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Here's a billboard at the foot of Temperance Street where the Nolan Hall Hotel/condo development was suppose to go. I think that particular project is dead now. This is what is being proposed for the site now. Looks nice. Too bad the 4 sisters stone houses across the street are in such disrepair. They would make nice condos too if they were purchased by someone decent and restore to full glory.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...51338363_o.jpg

not bad, I'm happy to see somehting going on with the site

[Arrakis]

Saw this rendering on the September Agenda for proposal to re-clad that hideous building at 128 Water Street. Hopefully they will get approval. It's amazing that the owners got away with putting all that horrible stone facade on that building without a permit. Kudos to our great heritage committee for not evening noticing it even though the work went on for months, and on such a busy historic street and impossible not to notice.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=877%2C575

[PoscStudent]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Here's a billboard at the foot of Temperance Street where the Nolan Hall Hotel/condo development was suppose to go. I think that particular project is dead now. This is what is being proposed for the site now. Looks nice. Too bad the 4 sisters stone houses across the street are in such disrepair. They would make nice condos too if they were purchased by someone decent and restore to full glory.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...51338363_o.jpg

I like it.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by PoscStudent

I like it.

It's one of the best I've seen for awhile.

[niccanning]

Total shame about the Virginia Park Plaza condos. Harbourside looks great - nolanhall do good work. Would love to see that area developed finally (: