[Saint John, NB] Brunswick Square | 80.8 m | 19 Storeys | Redevelopment

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Saint John's Brunswick Square remains the co-tallest building in New Brunswick. It is the largest office building in New Brunswick by floor space... and also the building with the most empty office space in the province.

the CEO of Ravelin, Shant Poladian, is upset that Brunswick Square office tower and mall is sitting more than half empty, and his firm has even looked at the possibility of residential conversion:




I'd say Ravelin should seriously look at approaching the city, province, Build Canada Homes, and other investors, with a plan for residential conversion for Brunswick Square.

Brunswick Square is the most prominent building in Saint John, in the heart of our Uptown, and it truly deserves a new chapter, and I think a new name... How about New Brunswick Square?

The opportunity to redevelop this office tower, or even build it up another 10+ stories (as it was designed for) is a unique opportunity at a time where we have a Prime Minister who literally never shuts up about, "building big, building bold, and building now".

Our MP, Wayne Long got some financing together for the Fundy Quay, and 99 King, surely he could also get some financing for a major residential redevelopment of the tallest, and largest office building in the province, right here in the centre of the Port City.


... If it was up to you, how would Brunswick Square be redeveloped?

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Perhaps Mr. Poladian can become Saint John's Kirk Kerkorian, and not only build up the Saint John skyline, but also bring an MGM casino/resort to the port city, the hometown of Louis B. Mayer. ... the MGM Casino being an idea Pugsley has mentioned before for Market Square, but maybe Brunswick Square is the real golden opportunity for a Casino/Resort.






I've also seen the ideas for an IMAX or VIP Cinema thrown around to redevelop the mall portion of the mall, and I think those could both quite a positive redevelopment projects for Brunswick Square (IMAX especially).

I still think the mall is salvageable, especially if it could add a major grocery store and some other stores like UNIQLO that would be major draw for the mall.

An ambitious residential conversion of Brunswick Square Tower would breath new life into the mall beneath it, and really change the conversation for a building complex that many people haven't had a single positive thing to say about for many decades.

I'd also say there's at least 2 floors available for a branch of the Major Projects Office at Brunswick Square, that would be open 3 hours before the Calgary office every day. New Brunswick's biggest office tower has been sitting mostly vacant for years now, and something needs to change.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-2.../16174713-bringing-life-brunswick-square

The CBC's Mark Leger spoke with Shant Poladian and Jeremy Kaupp of Ravelin Properties, the owner of Brunswick Square, and Jason Gomke who runs businesses in Brunswick Square.

I missed this one. The second half of the interview with Mr. Poladian, the CEO of Ravelin was quite interesting and somewhat optimistic. Personally, I think Ravelin should qualify for low interest government financing similar to what Fundy Quay and 99 King have received, to pursue residential conversion, if it’s proven to be a viable solution.

As for the mall, I think attracting even a single anchor tenant like an H&M or Uniqlo would do wonders for drawing people back to Brunswick Square, but that’s probably a much harder task to pull off than securing some low interest government financing for a residential conversion of the office tower.

Though, if they could pull off the residential conversion, hundreds of new units directly above the mall could certainly help convince a major grocery store or retail brand take a chance on the mall… and if all that happens… they should rename the place New Brunswick Square.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

A video from Park Barriault of lilparkproductions.

• Video Link

It's too bad he didn't get into the office tower, but maybe that will be in the next video.

I think it's a very sad statement on priorities in this city and province, that the tallest, and largest office tower by floor space in the province is sitting mostly empty and unused... especially when we're in the middle of a housing crisis... office tower to residential conversions are possible.

The right type of residential conversion for Brunswick Square would be well deserving of government funding and even subsidy if enough affordable units could be created out of this mostly empty office tower and the most dismal sections of this dying mall in the very centre of our city. I've long speculated that a residential conversion of a large part of the office tower could be just the catalytic project to bring life back into this dying mall.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

A video from Park Barriault of lilparkproductions.

...I think it's a very sad statement on priorities in this city and province, that the tallest, and largest office tower by floor space in the province is sitting mostly empty and unused...

Are you sure the office tower is mostly empty too? If so, the I agree it would make sense to redevelop into something in demand.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Are you sure the office tower is mostly empty too? If so, the I agree it would make sense to redevelop into something in demand.

Yes, the tower is at least 50% vacant, even Bell has mostly left, I believe. There are still some government things, lawyers, Cooke, etc.

[Ire Narissis]

Someone posted that video on Reddit and there was a comment about how the mall space would make a cool aquarium with a giant vertical tank in the atrium.

Would never happen, but it does make for a nice mental image.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by bingun

Yes, the tower is at least 50% vacant, even Bell has mostly left, I believe. There are still some government things, lawyers, Cooke, etc.

Bell has left completely and did a major renovation in Millidgeville. They did the same thing in Halifax and focus everyone in the Bedford office with no downtown presence. Hard to believe since they had entire towers in both cities previously.

The tower is not over 50% empty. It has space, but Cooke continues to expand floor by floor and there is government and multiple lawyers. It is not full, but it is definitely not mostly empty either.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Bell has left completely and did a major renovation in Millidgeville. They did the same thing in Halifax and focus everyone in the Bedford office with no downtown presence. Hard to believe since they had entire towers in both cities previously.

The tower is not over 50% empty. It has space, but Cooke continues to expand floor by floor and there is government and multiple lawyers. It is not full, but it is definitely not mostly empty either.

From folks who work there, I believe Cooke has only a single floor, and it isn't even fully utilized. They have most of their staff up the street by the Stone Church. I know it sounds silly, but I'd challenge anyone to go sit in the lobby or the parking garage, and you'll see how dead it is. The parking only has two or three levels occupied on some days.

[adamuptownsj]

I'm sure the dire state of owner Ravelin isn't helping matters.

[Helladog]

Maybe they should put the data centre in there.