A St. John’s developer has been granted approval in principle to construct a $7 million residential condominium building on property formerly occupied by the Standard Manufacturing company in the city’s east end.

But the general manager of the Fairmont Newfoundland hotel is objecting to development, saying it will “seriously damage” business. St. John’s city council voted in favour of the proposal by well-known developer Paul Madden during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The brick building will be constructed on property located between Water and Duckworth streets, just west of Temperance Street. It will rise four storeys above Duckworth Street, feature up to 30 condominiums, with a starting price of roughly $300,000 and will include indoor parking for the same number of vehicles on the ground level.

The city’s planning department recommended approval, since the proposal satisfies the requirements for residential density and limits on maximum building height.

But in a letter to council, Armand Agabab, general manager of the Fairmont Newfoundland, expressed strong opposition to the proposed development, saying it will block views of St. John’s harbour and The Narrows from the Cabot Club dining room, as well as many of the hotel’s guest rooms.

“Our hotel has served as a landmark in this community for over half-a-century,” Agabab wrote. “Our location on the former site of Fort William overlooking the harbour is essential to what we are – a known landmark which is a key destination of visitors to our community and to the local citizens.”

Agabab said the development will “seriously impair” an existing business to accommodate a new one. “This loss would have a major impact upon both the dining room and guestroom business,” Agabab said.

Some councilors expressed regret that the view from the hotel will be blocked, but said there wasn’t much they could do. The city’s development regulations are intended to protect public views, but it is not the practice of the city to protect private views.

“I’m very disappointed the hotel is going to lose its viewplane, but it is beyond council at this point. It’s zoned for that,” Coun. Sandy Hickman said. Hickman said it was a “fine project” and praised Madden for his previous developments, which includes Spa at the Monastery and Suites on Patrick Street, the former Irish Christian Brothers monastery.

“The project could have been something that was quite unsightly, built with concrete, steel and glass, but here we have a heritage type of building that’s going to enhance the neighbourhood,” Hickman said.

The Water Street side of the property is zoned industrial general (IG), while the Duckworth side of the property is commercial central mixed (CCM). CCM zoning allows dwelling units to be located in the second or higher storey of a commercial building. under this zoning, a building height cannot exceed four storeys, or 15 meters. This zone allows dwelling units on the ground floor of a building as a discretionary use.

Coun. Shannie Duff, who chairs the planning and housing committee, said the building will reflect the character of other buildings in the area, including Devon Rowe, a nearby designated historic building. “It meets all our zoning requirements for the area, so I would have to say it’s an attractive development,” said Duff, who also chairs the heritage advisory committee.

“The only issue I have with it, and there’s nothing anybody can do about it as far as I can see, is that because it’s situated on the old Matchless Paint site, it will block views from the hotel public rooms and probably some of the higher rooms. “When people see that, there’s going to be disappointment because that’s one of the major feature of the Fairmont,” she explained.

Duff suggested that hotel could have done more to protect its views, since the Standard Manufacturing property was on the market for several years. “I’m sorry the hotel didn’t have more foresight in perhaps moving in at that point and perhaps negotiating some protection of its own views in exchange of development rights,” Duff said.

City staff have met with the developer and his architectural consultant, and have determined “there is no practical way to minimize obstruction of private views from the hotel.”

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Madden said he was thrilled to get approval for the project and predicted construction could begin in the next 30 days. He said interest among prospective buyers is very high.

“I’ve had calls from as far away as Yellowknife and Fort McMurray from people wanting to buy condos overlooking the harbour,” he said.

He said the building will cover only a fraction of the two-acre site. He also has plans to build a hotel, and perhaps more condominiums. “It’s going to be one fabulous development. It will be great for the east end of St. John’s,” Madden said.

Terry Roberts, The Telegram, Wednesday, May 25, 2005.