http://kingswharf.ca/index.php en phil.neal@extremegroup.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T09:54:54+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/fresh_look_for_dartmouth-1/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/fresh_look_for_dartmouth/#When:09:54:54Z Downtown re-branded as eclectic village By COLLEEN COSGROVE Business Reporter - The Chronicle Herald Change is brewing in downtown Dartmouth and it’s hoped that a colourful and cohesive identity will attract new retailers and help the downtown area thrive.The Downtown Dartmouth Busi­ness Commission unveiled its fresh, new look Monday at Alder­ney Landing to a crowd of more than 100 business types and poli­ticians, including Premier Darrell Dexter and Coun. Gloria McClusk­ey (District 5).The business group commis­sioned Extreme Group of Halifax to design the re-branding that’s now visible on downtown street signs, in store windows and online. More than a year in the making, the new brand and slogan — All Together Downtown Dartmouth — hinges on the idea that the down­town area is an independent and eclectic urban village that’s grow­ing, business commission execut­ive director Tim Olive said Monday. “One of the issues we’ve been stuck with for years is the mes­saging on Dartmouth, that we’re the ‘Darkside,’ " Olive said. “We’re not the ‘Darkside’ anymore and there’s nothing dark about our new logo."The business commission, of which 10 downtown retailers are members, has been without a co­hesive identity, flipping between three different logos, since before Olive began as executive director seven years ago.A single, focused identity that resonates with area business own­ers will help show the rest of Hali­fax area that downtown Dartmouth is making a comeback and blos­soming into a thriving place to do business, said Olive.The $300-million King’s Wharf residential project brings with it one key ingredient — people living and working in the area.The iconic project, Olive says, is a game changer and its impact is already tangible.“The whole (downtown area) has caught on since King’s Wharf," he said. “We have two dozen po­tential development sites down­town. Five years ago we weren’t getting any calls, now we’re getting calls every week from people look­ing for space."Jeff McLatchy, owner of the popular downtown watering hole, the Celtic Corner Public House, said the existing business community can see the potential, but the lack of focus and lack of identity has hindered the forward­thinking the group needs.“If we as a small group of busi­ness owners . . . can get our act together on a vision, then we’re going to start to attract others that have a similar sort of vision and a similar commitment to living downtown," said McLatchy, who is also president of the business com­mission.The new website — Down­townDartmouth. ca — features upcoming event information, hous­ing information, information on new businesses and featured stor­ies about those who work, live and play in downtown Dartmouth. 2012-05-16T09:54:54+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/living_luxuriously-1/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/l/#When:14:42:37Z Atlantic Lifestyle MagazineBy Alexandra Christopoulos "Developers across Canada unveil their plans for chic upscale living." King’s Wharf, DartmouthSet in what used to be a shipyard, developer Francis Fares’ plans to bring a new upscale development to the coastal town of Dartmouth are well underway.  “It’s certainly tough at times, but we’re working in due course,” says Fare. Beginning in spring 2006, Fares’ dream of remaking the marine slips into King’s Wharf, a $300-million vision to bring a new level of style and sophistication to the area, began to bloom. Once it’s finished, the re-designed 80,000-square-foot wharf will accent many gems, including 1,200 residential condos, a 200-room hotel and convention centre, hotel condo suites, as well as mixed retail and commercial space. “We’re building a community; it is not only a residential space. It’s a whole-concept, large-scale development that will leave a big bang,” says Fares.Expected to be home to a new world-class development, the project is currently being undertaken by Fares, of Fares Real Estate Inc., which owns the old Irving Marine Slips property.  The first 14-storey residential building is scheduled to be open by February, with the following building likely to be completed in summer 2011, he confirms. About five years in the making for the entire project, progress is also being made in the hotel phase, although Fares states he does not have a confirmed completion date as of yet. “The development is all on the water, which will make it a stunner,” he says. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a sense of unity in the space, as the design will allow them to enjoy fine dining, shopping, and walking along the boardwalk, complemented by a stunning view of the waterfront. “It will reshape the Halifax Harbour,” says Fares. “I think the most exciting feature is that it’s on the water and the view of Halifax is spectacular.” 2011-01-06T14:42:37+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/all_is_good_at_kings_wharf/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/all_is_good_at_kings_wharf/#When:18:41:09Z The Chronicle HeraldBusiness Editor Chris LambieJune 11, 2010 CONSTRUCTION ON THE $500-million King’s Wharf project is getting underway on the Dartmouth waterfront.Developer Francis Fares has been hampered by a series of problems that delayed the original January start date."We just got the building permit this morning," Fares said Thursday."We’re starting tomorrow and driving pile on Monday."He plans simultaneous starts on two 14-storey structures — a 90-unit apartment building and an 80-unit condominium building. The buildings will each cost about $20 million.  Condominiums sales began to "linger a little bit" in February and March due to construction delays."The uncertainty is not good," Fares said.First the developer had to wait while CN contemplated whether he could build a road across the rail line to access the Dartmouth Cove site that used to house the former Dartmouth Marine Slips.  Then the discovery of a 68-year-old sewer pipe running across the land where King’s Wharf is slated to be built presented another hurdle. The pipe, which ties into a nearby pumping station, is meant to carry sewage and storm overflow to Halifax Harbour in extremely wet weather."The pipe was a most difficult issue to work (out)," Fares said."I had to place a bond, like a certified cheque, with the water commission to replace that pipe at my own expense."The bond for $111,621 was handed over to Halifax Water, the city’s water utility. Fares said he is supposed to do the work to replace the old pipe, but the bond is meant to pay for the job in case Halifax Water gets stuck doing it.Just over half of the condominium building has been sold, Fares said, predicting sales would improve with the construction start. Prices on unsold units start at $279,900 and climb to $650,000."There were a lot of people sitting on the fence and I’m sure they will jump because our pricing will be jumping soon."People are already signing up for the rental building, he said, "but we won’t be in a position to rent probably for a year and a half."Construction on a second 80-unit condominium building will start when he has sold 80 per cent of the first one."The second condo building will be 10 per cent more expensive than the first building."King’s Wharf is designed to include 1,300 condominium and rental units, a 200-room hotel and 300,000 square feet of office and commercial space.  The signature building for the project will be 33 storeys tall. It will contain about 180 condos, as well as ground-floor commercial space, and should be under construction by late 2015, Fares said.  He couldn’t pinpoint when work will start on the project’s 10-storey, 100,000-square-foot office building. He doesn’t have a tenant for that part of King’s Wharf."We’re under the mercy of the market conditions and absorption rate and we’ll see how it goes," Fares said. 2010-06-11T18:41:09+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/kings_wharf_celebrates_canada_day_with_flare/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/kings_wharf_celebrates_canada_day_with_flare/#When:14:30:55Z King’s Wharf is very excited to be hosting an appreciation event for our clients that have supported our development.  This will be an invitation only event for the people who have purchased a condominium or left a deposit on the Iconic Tower, as well as some of our consultants and partners that have been a big part of our planning and development phases.  We are holding this on July 1st to coordinate with the fireworks for Canada Day.  It will be a celebration with music and food and great company.  What a wonderful way for The Keelson residents to meet their neighbours!  Please watch for your invitations in the mail very soon! 2010-05-05T14:30:55+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/kings_wharf_conquers_another_hurdle/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/kings_wharf_conquers_another_hurdle/#When:13:38:50Z King’s Wharf developer hopes to get permit soonThe Chronicle HeraldBy CHRIS LAMBIE Business EditorTue. May 4 - 4:53 AM The developer behind a $500-million development planned for the Dartmouth waterfront has leaped one hurdle and is hoping to clear another this week. CN has given developer Francis Fares the green light to build a road across the rail line to access the Dartmouth Cove site that used to house the former Dartmouth Marine Slips. Fares had been has been unable to get a building permit from the city for his King’s Wharf project because the rail carrier was considering the proposal. "I’m hoping that (Halifax Regional Municipality) will issue the permit this week, but I’m at their mercy," Fares said Monday. The problem presented by the recent discovery of a 68-year-old sewer pipe running across the land where King’s Wharf is supposed to be built has yet to be resolved. The pipe, which ties into a nearby pumping station, is meant to carry sewage and storm overflow to Halifax Harbour in extremely wet weather. "We proposed a solution and I’m hoping it’s acceptable," Fares said. The developer said he is willing to grant an easement for the pipe, which will have to be moved to another location on his land. If that’s acceptable, Fares said he is ready to start construction next week.Carl Yates, Halifax Water’s general manager, said the utility is now examining Fares proposal. "It’s possible" the King’s Wharf project could get municipal approval this week, Yates said. "That pipe is there for a very crucial role that it plays in terms of managing wet weather overflows." The water utility needs to make sure "the technical fix is there," Yates said. King’s Wharf is designed to include 1,300 condominium and rental units, a 200-room hotel and 300,000 square feet of office and commercial space. Construction was originally slated to start in January. Fares plans simultaneous starts on a 90-unit apartment building and a 79-unit condominium building. 2010-05-04T13:38:50+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/kings_wharf_documentary/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/kings_wharf_documentary/#When:13:33:17Z 2009-12-01T13:33:17+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/nova_scotia_come_to_life/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/nova_scotia_come_to_life/#When:18:28:38Z 2009-11-09T18:28:38+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/welcome_to_nova_scotia/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/welcome_to_nova_scotia/#When:18:26:36Z 2009-11-09T18:26:36+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/chronicle_herald_october_14_2009/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/chronicle_herald_october_14_2009/#When:19:36:43Z Chronicle Herald  Business, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, p. C1King's Wharf development will transform waterfront; Project to be built in Dartmouth CoveTom Peters Business Reporter The much-anticipated multimillion-dollar King's Wharf project slated for the Dartmouth waterfront will get an official unveiling this week. Developer Francis Fares, owner of Fares Real Estate Inc., said Tuesday he hopes work on the first phase of the project will get underway before the end of the year. The economic spinoffs of the project, located in Dartmouth Cove on the site of the former Dartmouth Marine Slips, will be significant. King's Wharf, which will be developed in phases, will have a construction cost of $300 million over five years, create nearly 700 jobs each year during construction with nearly $25 million in annual wages, and create $20 million worth of commercial space that will generate about $1 million in annual commercial property tax. The residential portion will generate about $4 million annually in property tax. The project will have 1,293 condominiums, a 200-room hotel and convention centre, hotel condo suites, 100,000 square feet of mixed retail space and 40,000 square feet of commercial space. Mr. Fares says he feels his development design will be new to the area. "It's like a Bishop's Landing concept only on a bigger scale," he said. Bishop's Landing, developed by Southwest Properties on the Halifax side of the harbour, is a low-rise development that mixes residential and retail components. King's Wharf will have taller structures, including a 30-storey condo tower. Mr. Fares said prices will start at about $305 a square foot for residential units, which will range in size from 700 square feet up to 1,850 square feet. The developer is optimistic the project will be a success. Its prime location offers total views of the harbour. "It's a peninsula on the water with a southwest exposure. We have a boardwalk across the waterfront so it is a community where people can live, work and enjoy the waterfront. A water taxi will link us to downtown Halifax, we are five minutes from the ferry terminal and we are connected to the Trans Canada Trail," Mr. Fares said. The property, a former marine industrial site owned by the Irving group, has undergone all the required remediation and approvals. "Everything is done and approved and we are ready to start," Mr. Fares said. Suppliers to the project, investors and local dignitaries will get the first glimpse of King's Wharf during a private showing Thursday. About 800 people registered as potential buyers will see the design on Friday, and on Saturday the project will be open for viewing by the general public. Mr. Fares said the feeling in the community for the project has been "very positive." The first building will have 75 units and there will be "great incentives for the first 40 buyers," he said. Construction on King's Wharf, a major residential/commercial development on the Dartmouth waterfront, is expected to get underway by the end of the year. A striking feature of this multi-phase development of Fares Real Estate Inc., is a 30-storey tower, depicted in this rendering.   2009-11-04T19:36:43+00:00 http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/about/news/the_metro_article_october_26/ http://kingswharf.ca/index.php/site/the_metro_article_october_26/#When:13:22:24Z Originally published by Metronews.caOctober 28, 2009By Heather Clarke http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/comment/article/353664--king-s-wharf-offers-rooms-with-a-view Located on the Dartmouth waterfront, units at King’s Wharf offer postcard-perfect views of downtown Halifax. In fact, the views from the new condominium complex are so fantastic that interior designers used it as their inspiration for much of the model suite.“We arranged the furniture to capitalize on the spectacular views of the ocean and the Halifax waterfront,” said Bruce Norman, senior design consultant with Norman Flynn Design. “The view became our inspiration for the interior finishes and material selections.”Norman, who was assisted by junior design consultant Máiréad Fegan, explained their design focuses on three key ingredients: Functionality, light and texture. “The layout is simple and functional, we maximized the natural light and used beautiful lamps and fixtures as ‘jewelry,’ and we used a combination of different materials to create visual interest,” Norman said. He and Fegan flanked the fireplace with natural grass cloth wall-coverings, and contrasted them with exotic rosewood flooring and an ocean-inspired kitchen backsplash. “This suite has an inherent simplicity and isn’t over-decorated,” Norman explained. “We focused on layering quality materials to achieve a timeless, functional aesthetic, and design-savvy buyers will appreciate the subtleties and the quality.”The luxurious kitchen pairs dark espresso drawers with creamy white countertops and cupboards. While the suite is rich in drama, Norman said he and Fegan chose to use colour sparingly. “The walls are painted in muted greys to create a soft backdrop, but what’s interesting is that the door casings and doors are painted an unexpected shade of grey-brown,” he said. “It really stands out, since so many people use predictable white for doors and trim.”They did bring in punches of colour and pattern as accents in the furniture, linens and accessories — like the red glass candle pillars on the dining table, and the cinnamon-coloured rug in the living room.While the suite is bursting with perks — like dreamy custom showers —the most delicious one is enough to light a fire under any potential buyers.“We were able to push the envelope on design by installing a double-sided fireplace between the master bedroom and the main living room,” Norman said. “It’s a rather unexpected design feature, and it’s stunning.”DetailsSuites at King’s Wharf start at $199,900. For more information, please visit www.kingswharf.ca. 2009-11-04T13:22:24+00:00