15 Skyscrapers, 5,600 Units Proposed Near Halifax Shopping Centre
HALIFAX — New plans have been revealed for a massive development next to the Halifax Shopping Centre.
The plan could see several businesses demolished and as many as 15 skyscrapers built on a swath of land along Mumford Road, known to many as the West End Mall.
If the development moves forward, it could eventually see 12,500 people living on about 0.14 square kilometers of land.
The plan is still in its very early stages.
On December 14, Halifax Regional Council considered an application from Cushman And Wakefield to start master planning for the property.
The area is what the city calls a “future growth node.” It’s one of several sites flagged as prime locations for high-density development.
Cushman And Wakefield owns most of the land in the node but needs special permission to start development. There are other landowners that will also have a say in the planning process.
The master plan that will guide the development – which will also include community feedback – is the first step in the process.
A Complex Of 25-Storey Towers
The main parts of Cushman And Wakefield’s proposal include removing some of the mall buildings, creating new public streets and blocks, building a new underground bus terminal, and building 15 high-rise towers.
The towers will be mostly 25 storeys high, with residential units on the upper floors and commercial space on the ground level.
The development will also include 5,286 parking stalls in two underground levels and “considerable” ground-level parking.
It will all come together in a mixed-use development with “several connecting podium structures, townhouse dwellings and commercial/retail space in 7 development blocks.”
Cushman And Wakefield wants to carry out its plans over two development phases that will take several years.
Higher-Than-Ever Density
In a report to council, city staff raised concerns about just how crowded the proposed development would be; once fully built, it would mean 12,500 people living on about 14 hectares.
Staff point out that’s “much higher” density than anywhere else in the city.
It’s more than four times denser than the proposed development for Shannon Park – and close to six times denser than anything that currently exists in Halifax.
High-density development has its benefits: it allows efficient use of transit and promotes investment in city infrastructure. However, it can also put a strain on things like water, sewer systems, and parks.
Staff acknowledges that the site is “one of the best places in HRM” for high-density development, especially from a transit and services point of view.
But they say the density Cushman And Wakefield is proposing would only be appropriate with a new and expanded transit terminal integrated into the development, “ensuring that land use and mobility are directly linked.”
More Parks, Better Building Mix Needed
Staff also point out the proposal doesn’t provide nearly enough park space for its proposed density.
There is also concern that the developers plan to essentially repeat the same type of building over and over on the site.
Most buildings will be high-rise towers on podiums, stretching about 25 storeys high.
Staff said a “broader range of building is needed” and pointed out that high densities can be achieved using a mix of building types.
December 14, council voted unanimously to move the project forward and allow city staff to start the planning process.
Trevor Nichols is the associate editor of Huddle, based in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].