Posted Jun 13, 2019, 3:45 PM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
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3Bridges has purchased the Loretto Fallsview site, and is moving forward with the development. The three approved towers are getting a complete redesign, which will be unveiled in the fall.
Quote:
Hotel development at Loretto to include restoring historic Niagara Falls building
$1-billion plan includes towers of 32, 42 and 57 storeys
June 2, 2019 | by Ray Spiteri
The past met the future on one of the most historic sites in Niagara Falls Sunday.
About 20 graduates from the 1969 Loretto Academy class came together to celebrate their 50th reunion.
They also heard from representatives of 3Bridges Properties (Group) Corp., a Vancouver-based development company with plans to transform the 2.96-hectare (7.4-acre) property on Stanley Avenue into a luxury hotel and limited-edition residences.
The heart of the project, which 3Bridges Properties chief executive officer Dan Zhang said will be worth $1 billion, will incorporate the existing Loretto Academy building with its mansard roof and cupola. These architectural elements will be retained, conserved and restored into its river-facing facade.
He said the plan is to restore the roof that was destroyed by fire in 1938.
"Because this building has a lot of history, we will retain it and restore it. It's such a historic building that we want to make sure … it really remains a landmark as part of our vision for this whole property."
A 32-storey south tower, 57-storey central tower and 42-storey north tower will include a luxury hotel with "world-class amenities" and condominium residences above.
Zhang said 3Bridges plans to retain an architect with global experience and a Canadian contractor.
The project is still in design phase, so a construction start date has not been determined.
The development will be 3Bridges' first venture outside British Columbia. The company was founded in 2014.
"We are delighted to be able to introduce what will be three distinctive buildings into the Niagara Falls skyline," said Zhang.
"Our corporate vision is building three bridges — of diversified cultures in this multicultural city, of economic development in the area, and of friendship and understanding between Asia and North America. By honouring Loretto Academy's past, we pave the way for a bright future for this landmark address."
Zhang said many people in Asia know about Niagara Falls but haven't visited the destination.
"When completed, our project should attract millions more visitors from Asia and boost local tourism and create over 1,000 employment opportunities for the greater Niagara region."
He said 3Bridges purchased the property from Romzap Ltd. in February. Romzap purchased the property from the Loretto Sisters, a Roman Catholic order of nuns, in 2006 and had similar development plans.
The Loretto Sisters order dates back to 1861 when they transformed a run-down country inn known as the Canada House into a convent and school. Within a decade, Archbishop John Lynch gave the sisters the prized land above the falls for a new building.
The sisters ran a convent, boarding school and spiritual retreat there for 144 years.
Loretto Academy closed its boarding school in 1969 but continued as a day school called Loretto High School until 1982. From 1982 to 2005, the Loretto Christian Life Centre operated out of the building offering spiritual retreats to many Grade 8 students and various other groups.
It was announced in 2005 that the Stanley Avenue landmark was shutting its doors for good, as expensive upgrades would have been necessary to bring the centre up to modern standards. It closed later that year.
Zhang said the company wanted to recognize and honour the students who graduated from the institution 50 years ago.
About 20 students from the 1969 class attended a ceremony at the site Sunday afternoon, which included a tour of the building, an opportunity to learn about redevelopment plans, and a lunch catered by nearby Zappi's Pizzeria.
Niagara Falls resident and graduate Rosie Barillari said she looks back fondly on her time at Loretto.
"I remember that we had great teachers … there was such camaraderie and we had a great education," she said.
"To celebrate a 50th high school reunion with that many classmates, I really think is a rare thing."
Graduate Jackie Balfour credited 3Bridges for being "so gracious" to allow for the reunion on what us now its private property.
The Niagara Falls resident said she was glad to hear the Loretto structure will be retained and restored.
"This is a building with such heritage and meaning — it's a hallowed building, it's a sacred building," she said.
"Many young women and then eventually young men were educated here. I believe our education was ahead of its time. As young women, we were not being educated to be wives and mothers. We weren't taught to sew, we weren't taught to cook — we had a five-year arts and science program with a view to young women will be educated."
Graduate Karen Gregory, who now lives in Buffalo, said the reunion opportunity was "absolutely awesome."
"It's a dream come true. I never thought we'd be able to come here after the school had been sold. But through the help of so many people, here we are."
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This is the approved design from a few years back...
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