Benefits
The successful creation of this mixed-use development will bring a variety of amenities creating a vibrant and diverse community. It is an exciting urban renewal project that will result in many benefits for the city and people of Halifax.
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A new YMCA Centre of Community
Halifax will be home to one of the best YMCA Centres of Community in Canada to serve our future generations in growing healthier in spirit, mind and body. A new state-of-the-art YMCA facility will ensure citizens of HRM have an accessible, full service health, fitness and recreation centre that is open to all. It will offer critically needed infrastructure on the peninsula and allow the YMCA to provide and expand existing programs such as day camps, seniors programs, and childcare and after school programs, as well as offer new programs and services.
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Public amenity space
The new development will deliver on the YMCA’s mandate of creating places and spaces where people can come together. A central exterior courtyard lined with busy shops and a residential lobby offers a vibrant public area of activity. The YMCA’s interior atrium will serve as an all-season public gathering space with casual seating areas, views out to Citadel Hill and the Public Gardens and views in to the activity of the YMCA.
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Residential development
Additional residential development will strengthen the existing business community in the area, encourage urban expansion and development, reinforce an active and sustainable transit network and contribute to a vibrant community. The opportunity to gain approximately 165,000 sqft of flexible residential space that can accommodate townhouses, apartments, condos or a boutique hotel will bring vitality to this important area of Halifax.
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Vibrant pedestrian culture
The centralization of diverse amenities in the urban core encourages an active pedestrian culture and increases accessibility. The new Annandale Extension pedestrian passage will be busy with the comings and goings of residents, YMCA members, and people accessing the retail and gathering spaces. This activity will spill out to adjacent streets and contribute to a safe, walkable neighbourhood. The pedestrian experience is further enhanced by the YMCA’s bright and open interior atrium. It will connect Sackville Street with the Annandale Extension and offer a place to gather and walk that will be comfortable year-round with tremendous views to YMCA activity, the Public Gardens and Citadel Hill.
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Renewal of a prominent corner of Halifax
This project presents Halifax with an opportunity to create an iconic landmark centre that will be transformational for the city and its citizens. It is designed to respectfully suit its prime location with views of the Citadel, Public Gardens and the Garrison Grounds. The renewal of this prominent corner will bring new life and vibrancy. It will become a destination for a variety of people and animate the area 365 days of the year from early morning until late at night.
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Excellent green urban design
The development will exemplify strong urban design principles as envisioned in the HRMbyDesign process. It showcases for the city a public establishment that represents inclusive community spirit and healthy lifestyle combined with responsible, sustainable development. Besides its environmentally friendly location in regards to transportation and urban densification, the project will incorporate the latest in technology to minimize its carbon footprint.
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Economic impact
A project of this nature and scope will bring positive economic impact in a variety of ways. The development itself offers approximately 165,000 sqft of flexible residential space for a mix of unit types including condos, street level townhouses, a boutique hotel, retail, office & community space. Attracting a large and varied cross-section of people to the area vitalizes the surrounding shopping and business districts. It will also contribute additional residential, commercial and real estate taxes. Significant job opportunities will be created through a 5-year design and construction phase and an expanded retail/commercial sector in the city. Since a YMCA Centre of Community is operated without assistance from taxpayers, it will allow the Municipality to invest their capital resources in other areas where infrastructure demands exist.
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A new integrated broadcast centre for CBC/Radio Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada will be providing a new integrated broadcast centre for Eastern Canada in HRM. This will enable CBC to continue their commitment of providing leading-edge national radio, television and digital production.