General Updates and News - Page 181

resetcbu1 · #**3601** Posted: **Mar 20, 2012, 3:52 AM**

From the herald today....

Quote:

[B
Emscote Ltd. proposes residential project

March 19, 2012 - 8:26pm By REMO ZACCAGNA Business Reporter ][/B]

A big residential project bordering Bedford could be completed by next year if Chebucto community council gives the go-ahead April 2.

Emscote Ltd., headed by developer Ralph Medjuck, is proposing to build 113 single-family homes, 54 townhouses and three multiple-unit buildings totalling 213 apartments on a 33-hectare site immediately north of Royale Hemlocks subdivision, between Bedford Highway and Highway 102.

Chebucto council will hold a public hearing on the proposal April 2 and subsequently vote on it.

If approved, work should begin “as soon as we possibly can get permits to get into the ground,” Kathleen O’Donovan, director of development with Emscote, said in a phone interview Monday.

“I want construction to start (this) spring or summer at the latest. We want land available to turn over to the builders by fall ..... so that they can start (housing) construction late this year so they can have homes ready for the public for the spring market.”

The land is next to an area owned by Clayton Developments Ltd. in Bedford South and Cresco Developments Ltd. south of that.

“Right now, currently, there’s not a lot of land in Halifax available,” O’Donovan said.

The project encompasses a 27.5-hectare parcel at the end of Transom Drive, Starboard Drive, Cutter Drive, Bosun Run and Fleetview Drive. Another 5.6 hectares will be developed between Jacob Lane and Bedford Highway.

The proposal is also near an $86-million residential project, just off Larry Uteck Boulevard and Jacob Lane, that is being developed by Emscote Ltd. and Universal Properties.

O’Donovan said the project is the “missing link” for the Halifax Regional Municipality master plan for development in Bedford South-Wentworth Estates.

“This will connect the former Royale Hemlocks ..... and it will connect it with Bedford South.”

It would be built in three phases, with the first phase being 27 single-family homes and 54 townhouses, 24 of which will be condominiums.

The area, close to amenities, schools and green spaces, is the ideal location for a mixed-density project of this magnitude, O’Donovan said.

“Mixed-density allows people to move up in size from an apartment or a condominium to a townhouse or to a small single-family or an executive single-family as their lifestyle changes. But it also allows them to move down as their lifestyle changes.”

Additionally, the lots would be bigger than the average 4,000-square-foot lot. O’Donovan said each lot would average from 5,000 to 6,500 square feet.

“We’re going to do our best to maintain as many trees as we can behind the houses so that you have sort of a suburban feel in a city environment.”

JET · #**3602** Posted: **Mar 22, 2012, 11:57 AM**

Is there a thread on the development in Dartmouth on Portland St below Five Corners, across from the Tims? There is a construction trailer on site, and a back hoe. Also noticed that the building next to the Tims has been fixed up and looks much better. This will be a much improved block.

someone123 · #**3603** Posted: **Mar 22, 2012, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

Is there a thread on the development in Dartmouth on Portland St below Five Corners, across from the Tims? There is a construction trailer on site, and a back hoe. Also noticed that the building next to the Tims has been fixed up and looks much better. This will be a much improved block.

Is it this development? http://www.halifax.ca/Council/agenda...0809ca1121.pdf

JET · #**3604** Posted: **Mar 22, 2012, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

Is it this development? http://www.halifax.ca/Council/agenda...0809ca1121.pdf

yep, that's the one. Is there a thread on this? has it been approved to proceed?

Jonovision · #**3605** Posted: **Mar 23, 2012, 12:08 PM**

There is no thread, but I believe it is ready to go anytime.

kph06 · #**3606** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 11:32 PM**

SMU is building a new 3-storey building at the corner of Inglis and Tower to house ESL programs and the Business Development Centre now located in Barrington Gate. Construction is set to start in May, with a planned opening in September 2013. Eventually the old brick building on the corner will be torn down.

Press Release

More Renderings

RyeJay · #**3607** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 11:46 PM**

^

Judging from the renderings, and the fact this is a university building, this proposal would be an excellent candidate for a green roof.

worldlyhaligonian · #**3608** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 11:58 PM**

Wow, that brick building is beautiful. Where is the HT on this one?

alps · #**3609** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 2:54 AM**

Definitely! I find it odd they aren't trying to incorporate it or build around it in some way. The renderings look fine but unremarkable, like the additions by the same firm to the University of Toronto at Scarborough campus. Nice, but bland, and I think using the old building in some way could add a lot of interest and character.

JustinMacD · #**3610** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 1:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

Wow, that brick building is beautiful. Where is the HT on this one?

It's actually quite run down.

If a small, older building like that is something that would get in the way of a beauty like this then it is for the greater good.

Hali87 · #**3611** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 4:17 PM**

^ I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand the new building looks like it will be a lot more functional and has a nice modern vibe. On the other hand it looks kind of generic and has no sense of place (other than those orange panels which might match other things on campus). There are not many buildings in Halifax built in the same style as the one that will be torn down (the only one I can think of offhand is at Bell and South Park), and once they're gone, they're gone.

Empire · #**3612** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 5:54 PM**

I am 100% against this concept as it stands. The proposed building is the same cookie cutter design as the new Dal buildings. This type of building squeeks by but really is cheap in design and materials.

Under no circumstances should the existing brick building on the corner of Tower & Inglis be demolished. This building blends in with Tower Rd. school and many of the historic homes in the area.

Where is the $%*# HT when there are needed?

Building should be incorporated in the new design. Allow more height if necessary.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=halifax...72.52,,1,-5.57

Hali87 · #**3613** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 10:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Empire

I am 100% against this concept as it stands. The proposed building is the same cookie cutter design as the new Dal buildings. This type of building squeeks by but really is cheap in design and materials.

Under no circumstances should the existing brick building on the corner of Tower & Inglis be demolished. This building blends in with Tower Rd. school and many of the historic homes in the area.

Where is the $%*# HT when there are needed?

Building should be incorporated in the new design. Allow more height if necessary.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=halifax...72.52,,1,-5.57

Anyone going to email the HT over this?

musicman · #**3614** Posted: **Apr 1, 2012, 3:08 AM**

Don't you worry they have seen this. However there must be some kind of benefit for them if they are not raising hell over it being torn down.. It is like when i challenged Howard Epstein on the possible raising of the Dennis building. At the time it would have benifited him being a member of the opposition..

If there is something in it for one of their members then you won't hear boo..

RyeJay · #**3615** Posted: **Apr 1, 2012, 11:27 AM**

It's height that often makes them bark.

Keith P. · #**3616** Posted: **Apr 1, 2012, 12:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyeJay

It's height that often makes them bark.

They ought to change their name to "The Stubby Trust" then. Truth in advertising.

planarchy · #**3617** Posted: **Apr 3, 2012, 4:45 PM**

Reno of Seacoast towers on Portland Street. Not sure if this is a concept only, but would be great for the street:

All images from Rayleen Hill Architecture + Design

Current view - http://g.co/maps/4p2ch

spaustin · #**3618** Posted: **Apr 3, 2012, 8:12 PM**

Seacoast is indeed ugly. Would be nice if they did a refresh of the whole thing. Maybe it's just me though, other than new materials, it doesn't look like much of a change from what's there now.

someone123 · #**3619** Posted: **Apr 3, 2012, 10:28 PM**

Looks like it's just a facelift for the storefronts. That tower is indeed ugly but is not really that bad. The parking lot next door is worse for the street.

spaustin · #**3620** Posted: **Apr 4, 2012, 12:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

Looks like it's just a facelift for the storefronts. That tower is indeed ugly but is not really that bad. The parking lot next door is worse for the street.

Yeah that parking lot is a good opportunity site. Would be great to see a Founders Corner type project for that parking lot. The scuzzy slum housing across from it on the corner of Victoria and Queen also brings down the area.