Development Rumours

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Big price for a little building. According to the write-up on Viewpoint the lot allows for a 48 metre building as of right. Any thoughts on how long this building will remain standing?

5690 SPG by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr

Pic by Viewpoint

[IanWatson]

There's no way that property alone would get to 48 metres once you add in stepbacks etc.

The value is probably in adding it to the beer garden property to get a big enough property to do some height.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

I checked for any recent sale activity of the surrounding lots and found none. I did note however, that the beer garden lot has had a 750% increase in clicks in the last 7 days... which is 17 clicks in total.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

There's no way that property alone would get to 48 metres once you add in stepbacks etc.

The value is probably in adding it to the beer garden property to get a big enough property to do some height.

Yes, undoubtedly, along with the space behind the corner lot where the little Dairy Bar is/was. Who knows, maybe even the building next to it on SGR is in play too (assuming it is not part of the beer garden ownership). For what would be a prime corner on what at least used to be a prime street (not sure these days), that corner was always badly underused.

EDIT: while I have fond memories of what used to be in the space years ago, if redevelopment means we lose the terribly named "The Captain's Boil", which sounds like a medical affliction, I would not be disappointed.

[HalifaxRetales]

someone told me that the owner of that building and the L lot around it don't like each other and don't want the other to have the property

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by HalifaxRetales

someone told me that the owner of that building and the L lot around it don't like each other and don't want the other to have the property

Big stacks of cash solve all such problems.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Yes, undoubtedly, along with the space behind the corner lot where the little Dairy Bar is/was. Who knows, maybe even the building next to it on SGR is in play too (assuming it is not part of the beer garden ownership). For what would be a prime corner on what at least used to be a prime street (not sure these days), that corner was always badly underused.

EDIT: while I have fond memories of what used to be in the space years ago, if redevelopment means we lose the terribly named "The Captain's Boil", which sounds like a medical affliction, I would not be disappointed.

Have to say I'm usually all-in for redevelopment like this, but the beer garden would be sorely missed, and I'd really hate to lose Bookmark. I assume they'd relocate, but you never know.

All speculation for now, of course...

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by HalifaxRetales

someone told me that the owner of that building and the L lot around it don't like each other and don't want the other to have the property

Based on Property Online records, it looks like the owner of the Eastlink building died and his daughter took over it in November of 2025. Guess she doesn't have the same concerns and was happy to cash out.

The L-shaped property that contains the beer garden and dairy bar is owned by Arab Investments, which is a development company.

The sales transaction of the Eastlink property doesn't show up yet in the property records, so no official information on who bought it.

[Insigne]

Originally Posted by IanWatson

Based on Property Online records, it looks like the owner of the Eastlink building died and his daughter took over it in November of 2025. Guess she doesn't have the same concerns and was happy to cash out.

The L-shaped property that contains the beer garden and dairy bar is owned by Arab Investments, which is a development company.

The sales transaction of the Eastlink property doesn't show up yet in the property records, so no official information on who bought it.

Curious if Arab Investments also owns the Bookmark/Your Father's Mustache building.

[IanWatson]

Originally Posted by Insigne

Curious if Arab Investments also owns the Bookmark/Your Father's Mustache building.

That one is "Helmos Realty Limited". As is the house on South Park next to the Dairy Bar.

[Dmajackson]

Demolition permit submitted for 24 PRIMROSE STREET, DARTMOUTH. It is exactly what you imagine when you think of a low-end North Dartmouth apartment building. The permit description does state this is for future development.

Google Streetview

InTouch Living Inc has it listed on their property page. I haven't heard of this company before and their portfolio is pretty minimal. The site is 20'000 sq ft and has HR-1 zoning which allows up to 6 storeys.

[Dmajackson]

50 WENTWORTH ST, DARTMOUTH, NS
Planning App Num: PLANAPP-2026-00341
Application Type: Heritage Development Agreement
Submitted Date: 2/6/26
Proposed Land Use: Christ Church Dartmouth religious functions and expanded community uses with new multi-unit residential building.

Does anyone know what Christ Church in Downtown Dartmouth is planning to build? There is no information online yet.

[Jonovision]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Does anyone know what Christ Church in Downtown Dartmouth is planning to build? There is no information online yet.

I had heard they were playing with a variety of options to develop the back part of the site. Anything from midrise to highrise, but never got confirmation on what route they decided to go.

[JET]

Originally Posted by JET

Crane is up today at The Canal

I don't see a thread on this, but it is moving right along, supports are going in for the third floor.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

I don't see a thread on this, but it is moving right along, supports are going in for the third floor.

Thanks for your updates on the Dartmouth side of things!

[Dmajackson]

A grade alteration permit has been submitted for 19 NIVENS AVENUE, DARTMOUTH which is just off of Windmill Road (near Albro Lake Road). I looked it up and there is a listing with CBRE that shows the development potential of the site.

CBRE Brochure - 19 NIVENS AVENUE

[Jonovision]

A study was released the other day for a project in Dartmouth behind the RBC building that would run through the lot between Prince and King Streets. It compared building a typical concrete building with a mass timber building. There was no definitive result but some interesting info and renderings.

https://atlanticwoodworks.ca/tall-wood-f...ga_JkjJAkIAok_aem_r3dW32LSnI8tpbAYGpOT3A

[someone123]

^ That's interesting. I think of that block as having one large empty blob but this would fill in part of it. The result is often better when a large footprint is broken up into multiple developments. The fine-grained historical lot pattern does have an impact there.

I like the idea and look of mass timber but I wonder if it really is as good for noise, durability, or fire risk. They talk about how the wood has to be clad in gypsum or similar material which detracts a bit from the advantage (though I guess you can do wood -> cladding -> cosmetic wood or wood-like material). An exposed composite wood ceiling would be more attractive than concrete.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

I can't help but think that this mass timber movement is a forestry industry lobbying effort with exaggerated benefits etc.. What I'd really like to see is the forests left alone for a few generations. Our forests are a pale shadow of what they were prior to European settlement.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

I can't help but think that this mass timber movement is a forestry industry lobbying effort with exaggerated benefits etc.. What I'd really like to see is the forests left alone for a few generations. Our forests are a pale shadow of what they were prior to European settlement.

I think most building materials are based on something extracted from somewhere... I guess the trick is to figure out which things, once extracted, last longer and/or are more easily replaced.