Joev
October 15th, 2005, 10:27 PM
Article from Evening Telegram
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Battery sale hinges on application OK
By TERRY ROBERTS, The Telegram
Developer Rick Butler is proposing to tear down The Battery Hotel and Suites, which overlooks St. John’s harbour, and build a 10-storey glass hotel, if St. John’s city council approves his application.
There’s a tentative deal in place for the sale of The Battery Hotel and Suites, but sources say it’s contingent on whether a dramatic redevelopment plan being floated by the buyer is approved by St. John’s city council.
Rick Butler is proposing to demolish the 125-room structure that overlooks St. John’s harbour and the city.
He plans to replace it with a 10-story, 200-room hotel and condominium complex, with construction beginning in 2007.
Built in sections beginning in the 1960s, the hotel is currently seven storeys at its highest point, although the largest sections of the building range from three to six storeys.
Sources say he has reached a purchase agreement with the hotel’s owner, Halifax ophthalmologist Dr. Bruce Pretty, and an official agreement is scheduled to be signed Nov. 30.
Neither Butler nor Pretty could not be reached Wednesday, but it appears the deal could be shelved if development restrictions limit the height to which a new hotel can be built.
Here’s where the idea gets complicated.
Under the St. John’s development regulations, the hotel is zoned commercial office hotel, which permits a maximum height of 10 storeys, or 40 metres.
But the Battery development guideline study, which has been used by the city since it was completed in 2004, recommends against any increase in height or horizontal expansion for the hotel.
The study suggested the hotel is already out of proportion to the area’s unique character, which includes narrow roads, houses clinging to the cliffs, and Cabot Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.
Mayor Andy Wells, who has met with Butler, has said he likes the proposal and stated that Butler plans to call for international design submissions.
But Wells said he expects opposition from some members of council because of the height issue.
However, the application does not include any drawings or a detailed development plan.
Coun. Shannie Duff, who chaired the planning and heritage advisory committees prior to the Sept. 27 election, is a strong advocate for height restrictions on buildings, especially in sensitive areas of the city where public views are at risk.
She said it’s too early to say whether she’ll support the hotel’s redevelopment plan, but she cautioned it must be conducted in a manner that maintains the integrity of the site.
“Signal Hill and Cabot Tower are the two landmark views of the city. They are what define us. So, obviously, what you’re going to do in that area needs to be done with a lot of design creativity and a lot of care,” Duff stated.
“To my mind, this is an ideal situation for working together on a project to see if we can come up with something that’s really outstanding.”
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Battery sale hinges on application OK
By TERRY ROBERTS, The Telegram
Developer Rick Butler is proposing to tear down The Battery Hotel and Suites, which overlooks St. John’s harbour, and build a 10-storey glass hotel, if St. John’s city council approves his application.
There’s a tentative deal in place for the sale of The Battery Hotel and Suites, but sources say it’s contingent on whether a dramatic redevelopment plan being floated by the buyer is approved by St. John’s city council.
Rick Butler is proposing to demolish the 125-room structure that overlooks St. John’s harbour and the city.
He plans to replace it with a 10-story, 200-room hotel and condominium complex, with construction beginning in 2007.
Built in sections beginning in the 1960s, the hotel is currently seven storeys at its highest point, although the largest sections of the building range from three to six storeys.
Sources say he has reached a purchase agreement with the hotel’s owner, Halifax ophthalmologist Dr. Bruce Pretty, and an official agreement is scheduled to be signed Nov. 30.
Neither Butler nor Pretty could not be reached Wednesday, but it appears the deal could be shelved if development restrictions limit the height to which a new hotel can be built.
Here’s where the idea gets complicated.
Under the St. John’s development regulations, the hotel is zoned commercial office hotel, which permits a maximum height of 10 storeys, or 40 metres.
But the Battery development guideline study, which has been used by the city since it was completed in 2004, recommends against any increase in height or horizontal expansion for the hotel.
The study suggested the hotel is already out of proportion to the area’s unique character, which includes narrow roads, houses clinging to the cliffs, and Cabot Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.
Mayor Andy Wells, who has met with Butler, has said he likes the proposal and stated that Butler plans to call for international design submissions.
But Wells said he expects opposition from some members of council because of the height issue.
However, the application does not include any drawings or a detailed development plan.
Coun. Shannie Duff, who chaired the planning and heritage advisory committees prior to the Sept. 27 election, is a strong advocate for height restrictions on buildings, especially in sensitive areas of the city where public views are at risk.
She said it’s too early to say whether she’ll support the hotel’s redevelopment plan, but she cautioned it must be conducted in a manner that maintains the integrity of the site.
“Signal Hill and Cabot Tower are the two landmark views of the city. They are what define us. So, obviously, what you’re going to do in that area needs to be done with a lot of design creativity and a lot of care,” Duff stated.
“To my mind, this is an ideal situation for working together on a project to see if we can come up with something that’s really outstanding.”