Committee Approves ‘Uninspired’ Tower On Prominent Gottingen Corner In Halifax
HALIFAX—The city’s Design Advisory Committee has reluctantly approved an apartment building proposed for a prominent corner near Downtown Halifax.
Renee Metlej, through his company Principal Developments, wants to build an 11-storey building on the corner of Gottingen and Cogswell Streets.
The 174-unit building would sit on two adjacent properties on the edge of downtown, across the street from Centennial Pool and Staples Business Depot.
Architect Michael Napier, whose firm designed the building for Principal Developments, presented his plans to the Design Advisory Committee August 11.
One of the committee’s biggest concerns with the project was whether it was suitable for the properties it would sit on.
Committee chair Ted Farquhar pointed out the Cogswell and Gottingen corner is an important and highly visible site in Halifax. He said anything built there should meet extra-high design standards and argued Napier’s proposal falls short.
“When I looked at this, I was really quite underwhelmed with this project,” he said. “I just see sort of an uninspired building in a location that should be really lively.”
Farquhar said when he looks at the building he sees “a photo copier” and that the building “is not something that I want to look at.”
Other committee members also questioned Napier about why he didn’t design a taller, skinner building, why he didn’t add more vibrant colours, include more public art, as well as other concerns.
Napier did his best to address those concerns.
He pointed out the building is fairly large and argued its size doesn’t lend itself to bolder colours.
“We tried to create a building that was timeless and that won’t look dated in 20 or 40 or 60 years,” he said.
He also said the lot’s small size makes it tough to put up a taller building. The city has rules about how far back from the property line tall buildings must be, and on this lot “you are really left with nothing to build on.”
The committee appeared largely unconvinced.
The Design Advisory Committee is made up of unelected members who advise Halifax’s development office on larger-scale projects proposed in the city.
It doesn’t have the power to make rules or decisions, only to give recommendations to development officers.
Because of those limits, the committee recommended in favour of the development because it technically follows the city’s bylaws. However, it put forward a long list of changes it wants the developer make.
Those recommendations included a unique request that the developer voluntarily apply to the building special rules normally meant for high-profile locations in the city.
“There is a greater civic responsibility to have something really special at this location,” Farquhar said. “I think they should do something better here.”
The committee also included several other recommendations for changes. They included better materials, lighting, public art, and more colour to make the building more visually interesting.
Now that the proposal has passed through the Design Advisory Committee, the next step will be to seek a full site plan approval.