Halifax Development News

 

After absorbing nearly $3.5 billion in investment in 2019, the construction industry in Nova Scotia remains steady and relatively uninterrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Stats Canada, the value of building permits issued in March 2020 more than doubled year-over-year; $43 million in March 2019 to $101 million in March 2020. This month, the provincial government deemed construction workers ‘essential’ and excluded the industry from mandatory shutdown. There is a risk that interruption in the supply chain will delay construction projects, however due the strength of the local market prior to the pandemic, the industry remains healthy.

Here are a few exciting developments on the horizon for Halifax:

Press Block

New renderings were recently released for Dexel’s prominent development site bound by Barrington, George, and Granville Streets in Downtown Halifax. The proposal, named Press Block, is a mixed-use project, with 120 residential units (a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms), 7,000 sqft of street-level retail space, and 3 levels of underground parking with a total of 110 spaces. The proposal also includes the restoration of two heritage buildings, the Dennis Building and the Acadian Recorder Building.

Richmond Yards

Westwood Development’s North End mega-project Richmond Yards has been approved, and construction is underway. Located at the border of St. Albans, Almon, and Clifton Streets (near Robie St) Richmond Yards will feature 76,000 sqft of office space, 46,000 sqft of retail space, 500 residential units, and 600 underground parking spaces. The mixed-use development will span nearly an entire city block, reaching a maximum height of 28 stories.

The George

Across the street from the Halifax Infirmary, Dexel’s project ‘The George’ has been progressing, with envelope sheathing and window installation scheduled for this month. Located between Robie, Pepperell, and Shirley Streets, The George will feature 172 residential units (including 9 townhomes), and nearly 10,000 sqft of commercial space. The design is tiered, reaching a maximum height of 14 stories.

Skye Halifax

United Gulf’s two-tower Skye Halifax proposal was approved in late 2019 to fill the long-vacant Downtown block bordered by Hollis, Sackville, and Granville Streets. With construction scheduled to start in 2021, the project will feature 416 residential units, 129 hotel suites, 294 parking spaces, and over 25,000 sqft of commercial space.