Residential Highrise On Heritage Property Clears Advisory Committee
HALIFAX—The Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee has given its blessing to a proposed highrise development near Cornwallis Park in Halifax.
The project will see an eight-storey residential tower built across three properties, sitting between South Street and Harvey Street.
The developer’s plan is to consolidate three properties, including the registered heritage property occupied by “Stairs House,” to create a “through lot” between South and Harvey. On that consolidated lot, it will build an eight-storey (plus penthouse) residential tower, incorporating 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.
The restored Stairs House will be integrated into the new structure as an entryway, amenity space, and even contain some living units.
Stairs House is a wood-framed cottage built in 1838 that HRM staff say represents “a prime example of early 19th century residential suburban growth in Halifax.” The South Street property it sits on was designated a municipal heritage property in 1985
The other buildings on the heritage property are said to have “limited heritage value” and will be demolished. The tower taking their place will feature 112 residential units and 83 underground parking spaces.
The application was put forward on behalf of Summer Wind Holdings Limited, a holding company whose president, CEO, and secretary are all members of the leadership team at Halifax’s Southwest Properties.
Southwest Properties is known for several new and soon-to-be-completed multi-unit highrise complexes in Halifax.
Members of the public had weighed in on the South and Harvey Street project before yesterday’s decision, with most coming out against it.
HRM staff received 19 submissions, 12 of which did not support the plan. Another 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.
There were also some concerns about integrating Stairs house into the main tower, and potential problems with traffic congestion and parking.
Members of the Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee met virtually June 13 to weigh in on the project. The meeting wasn’t public, but draft minutes indicate committee members were concerned with the building’s setback from its property line and whether the building fit the character of the neighbourhood.
Committee members also said they would like to see the project include 27 affordable housing units to replace the 27 units that will be demolished to make way for the new building.
The committee’s support for the project is not the final step for its developers, who still need to secure more permits before the project can move forward.