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The capital city of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia is quickly changing its physical composition. The wave of development hitting Halifax in recent years has had a profound impact on the built form of the downtown core. According to CBC News, the total value of building permits rose from $40 million CAD to $187 million between 2011 and 2012. With residents of major Canadian cities rekindling their love for downtown, large residential, office and hotel construction seems to be the new normal.
Plans for redeveloping the tallest building in Atlantic Canada have been evolving for some time. Developer Templeton Properties had initially sought to add extra height and width to the 98-metre Fenwick Tower, bringing it beyond its 33-storey pinnacle. The latest plans show a glass re-cladding of the Brutalist tower, which would remain at its current height, with 10-, 8-, and 4-storey buildings scattered around. The number of units would be increased from the current 340 to 459 and retail space would be provided at the building's frontage. Though these plans were approved by the community council in early 2015, no movement has yet been spotted on the site.
While Haligonians await news on the Fenwick Tower, one of the largest multi-unit residential buildings in the downtown core is already well under construction. The Maple by Southwest Properties includes 300 rental units within a 21-storey tower. Designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, the building's three-storey podium holds 8,000 square feet of amenities and ground floor retail space. The LEED Gold development is expected to mark completion in 2017.
The multi-building King's Wharf development by Fares Inc. is located across Halifax Harbour in Dartmouth, which means condominium and apartment residents will have panoramic water and skyline views to enjoy. Set to join the existing group of buildings — The Anchorage, The Aqua Vista, The Keelson, and The Killick — is the 33-storey signature Iconic Tower. The glass edifice will be the crowning jewel of the project, featuring an angular rooftop and design resembling a ship's prow.
Back in the downtown core, the one-million-square-foot Nova Centre development is arguably the most important project currently underway in the city. The mixed-use development is anchored by a new convention centre plus a boutique hotel, offices, and retail. In another nod to Halifax's seafaring history, the main tower of the complex mimics the rising sail of an arriving boat. Argyle Developments also purchased a section of Grafton Street that will be used as a pedestrian passageway and events space. The final tower crane is in the midst of being dismantled and the office tower's exterior glazing is nearly complete. Construction of the development, which can be tracked via webcam, is expected to conclude in 2017.
With major construction tripling on the peninsula in the last decade, there have been some unintended consequences. City officials have been ill-prepared to deal with urban growth of this scale, prompting complaints from local businesses about street and sidewalk closures. To minimize issues like these in the future, Halifax is developing a Centre Plan to guide future growth, which could include a reworking of current bylaws. The need for such a plan — which puts urban priorities and sustainable city planning first — is a sign of Halifax's ongoing intensification and physical transition.
Additional images and information on the above projects can be found in the Database files linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum threads or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
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