[HALIFAX, NS] — The municipality’s Heritage Advisory Committee is recommending Halifax regional council proceed with plans to demolish the old Tip Top Tailors building on Barrington Street.
According to a report from the committee coming before council on Tuesday, the building, located at 1592 Barrington St. has deteriorated to such an extent that it has little to no heritage value left.
“(The building’s) character defining elements are significantly degraded and a structural assessment has indicated that there is little potential for viable re-use of the building, either in its present form or with additional floors added,” reads the staff report.
According to the report, the building is a prime example of Halifax’s post-war commercial structures of the 1950′s and 1960′s.
But due to the building’s disrepair, both staff and the heritage committee are recommending council goes ahead with the demolition. In its place, Lydon Lynch Architects have envisioned a 22 metre tall mixed-use building, enveloped by a contemporary “glass curtain” wall structure. Staff believe the proposed building fits within municipal planning rules.
Downtown councillor Dawn Sloane said Sunday the building will be a boon to Barrington Street, which has struggled for a number of years.
“I know that some individuals are (saying) this is a prime example of the, y’know, 1950′s to 70′s kind of building,” said Sloane. “But every city has to have an overturn of some their (less) prominent buildings … this is one of those buildings.”
If approved by council on Tuesday, the demolition proposal will still have to go through the public consultation process. The project has already been approved by the municipality’s Design Review Committee, but that approval is being appealed by the owner of the adjacent Tramway Building. Council is expected to hear that appeal on May 15.
