Halifax ‘Stairs House’ Tower Sent To Public Hearing
HALIFAX – A Halifax developer’s plan to restore a south-end heritage building and incorporate it into a residential tower will soon face public scrutiny.
Halifax and West Community Council gave the proposal first reading on August 30 and agreed to send it to a public hearing.
The project will see an eight-storey residential tower built across three properties, sitting between South Street and Harvey Street, near Peace and Friendship Park.
The developer plans to consolidate the properties, including the registered heritage property occupied by “Stairs House,” to create a “through lot” between South and Harvey. On that consolidated lot, it wants to build an eight-storey (plus penthouse) residential tower that incorporates Stairs House into the complex.
The building would be squeezed between several multi-unit developments on either side of the property, with Stairs House acting as an entryway from South Street.
The plan requires the developer to restore Stairs House by fixing up original architectural features and removing some modern additions, including the vinyl siding. Once it’s restored, the historic home would be integrated into the new structure as an entryway, amenity space, and even contain some living units.
To make the new complex possible, several buildings on the affected properties would have to be demolished. According to city staff, there are 27 housing units in those buildings.
The new complex taking their place would contain approximately 112 units, as well as 83 underground parking spaces.
Summer Wind Holdings Limited is the company behind the proposal. It’s a holding company whose president, CEO, and secretary are all members of the leadership team at Halifax’s Southwest Properties.
Southwest is known for several high-profile, multi-unit highrise complexes in Halifax.
A date for the public hearing on the proposed project has not yet been set. However, nearby residents have already had a chance to weigh in on the project through a public engagement session.
After sending out more than 1,000 letters, HRM staff heard back from 19 people. Twelve of them didn’t support the plan, while four offered “mixed support.”
Most people who weighed in took issue with the building’s design, saying it lacked character, wasn’t architecturally interesting, and didn’t take into account the character of the neighbourhood.
At the upcoming public hearing, Halifax and West Community Council will make its final decision on the project.
If they approve it, the developer needs only to secure a few permits from the city before it can start construction.
Trevor Nichols is the associate editor of Huddle, based in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].