Gothic Arches Demolition

Corner of Canterbury Street and Grannan Lane

The property at the northeast corner of Canterbury Street and Grannan Lane is being worked on. This property needs some love.

Parrtown Place

The lobby of Parrtown Place is now visible from King Street. The apartments in the building looking pretty attractive, based on what the developer is posting online: https://www.historicadevelopments.com/apartment-item/30-king-st/ 

Parrtown Place - New Decks

 

Rear of Parrtown Place.

Irving Oil Home Office

The Irving Oil Home Office construction process has started:

 

 

More details on the project are at http://homeofficesj.ca/

Loyalist House Renovations

Earlier this year it was announced that Loyalist House on Union Street had secured enough financial support to complete renovations and upgrades. The renovation process is underway with paint being stripped from the exterior.

Cathedral Restoration

The Cathedral on Waterloo Street is one of historic churches whose steeples form part of the Saint John skyline. As our historic buildings age, many congregations are not able to keep their buildings in working order.

The Catholic Diocese of Saint John and their contributors are working to restore the landmark Cathedral.

 

On the project website, the Diocese explains that the goal of improving their building is not the end of their journey. The site explains:

Transformation of the “Waterloo Village” area will become a catalyst for further improvements to the city core, including

• Integration of social justice and community outreach services.
• Expansion of the area’s community care services already in place.
• Re-purposing the former St. Vincent’s High School building.
• Revitalization of a residential neighbourhood with respite and elder care facilities and safe, desirable and affordable housing.
• Attracting new business and tourists and fueling economic growth.
• Bringing residents and visitors back to the area.
  Significant positive historic, cultural, heritage and environmental impact.

Canterbury Street development

The impressive pace of change at the former Bustin’s warehouse on Canterbury Street continues.

New windows and doors at Historica property

The new look of the Historica property on Canterbury Street is becoming more of a reality with windows and doors being unveiled.

Canterbury Street Retail development

The retail development on Canterbury Street that will house a Picaroons shop, an art galley and a food store is starting to show signs of what is to come.

Retail expansion in uptown

Historica Properties announced recently that a Picaroons Brewtique, Real Food Connections and an art gallery would be moving into their newest project at the corner of Grannan Lane and Canterbury Street.

Real Food Connections moving into Saint John should help Saint Johners to choose local fresh food. 

This move could impact the City Market vendors who close pretty early on weeknights.  Right now if you want fresh food uptown (aside from a few offers at Giant Tiger and corner stores), you have to get to the market before it closes at 6 (though most vendors start closing up before that).  In Fredericton RFC is open until 7 pm on weekdays. 

Canterbury Car Park

Here is a photo of the Canterybury Carpark redevelopment underway.

Historica–Canterbury Street

It’s a tarp!

Work continues on the Historica property on the corner of Canterbury Street and Grannan Lane.

Canterbury Street–Renovations

St. Vincent’s Development–Zoning Amendment

There is a proposal to convert the former St. Vincent’s High School building into multi-family housing.  The public notice relating to the meeting was published in the Telegraph Journal and is reproduced (in part) below:

The property is currently zoned Major Community Facility (under the recently adopted zoning by-law). This makes sense considering the history as a school and its proximity to a church and hospital. 

However, considering the fact that the city appears to have a surplus of urban high schools (as St. Vincent’s has not been used for this in years), another use may be more appropriate.  The “Urban Centre Residential” zone that is being proposed for the subject, surrounds the area and appears to be a more practical use. 

Having more people in quality housing in this neighbourhood would be positive. Underutilized schools don’t make great neighbours, after all.

Uptown Teardown

The former Bruce Insurance building is being torn down after years of deterioration.

Prince William Street teardown

The building at 169-171 Prince William Street is slated to be torn down according to a 94.1 FM News article. 

I was surprised by the announcement, as the “Practical Conservation Guideline” for dealing with properties in the Heritage Conservation Areas indicates that a building must be listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service for six months before it can be torn down.

I can’t find record of the property being listed in recent years, so there may be a work around for this rule.

Heritage renovation– St. Andrew and St. David

Scaffolding used for repairs at the Church of St. Andrew and St. David.

Oldest Brick Building

The oldest brick building in the uptown is getting a bit of a face lift. Photo:

Band Stand refurbishment