The developer is proposing changes to the Centennial Building that some say would ruin its character

The developer is proposing changes to the Centennial Building that some say would ruin its character

A real estate development company is proposing changes to an iconic building in downtown Fredericton that are already proving controversial among some residents and a heritage advocate.

Centennial Heritage Properties has submitted an application to the City of Fredericton to revise the proposed facade for the Centennial Building compared to the facade for which it previously received approval in 2021.

The City of Fredericton has sent letters informing residents of the proposal, describing and outlining what the proposed changes to 670 King St. would look like.

“The previously approved facade design was based on a reconfigured curtain wall grid with vertical and horizontal mullions and inset balconies to mimic the original design,” the city said in its letter.

“The proposed façade design will replace the curtain wall with a new wall cladding system consisting primarily of metal panels and the balconies have been modified to protrude from the façade and be supported by columns as shown in the attached plans.”

A previous proposal from Centennial Heritage Properties called for the building to retain its distinctive vertical lines with recessed balconies.A previous proposal from Centennial Heritage Properties called for the building to retain its distinctive vertical lines with recessed balconies.

A previous proposal from Centennial Heritage Properties called for the building to retain its distinctive vertical lines with recessed balconies.

A previous proposal from Centennial Heritage Properties called for the building to retain its distinctive vertical lines with recessed balconies. (City of Fredericton)

It is not clear from the letter why the changes are being proposed.

They are the latest sign of progress for the Centennial Building, but are not welcomed by some neighbors, including Floyd Jackson.

“It's disappointing to see something so significant and timely destroyed and replaced with something that, in my opinion, is completely different,” said Jackson, who has lived across the street from the building on St. John Street for 40 years.

Floyd Jackson has lived on St. John Street across from the Centennial Building for 40 years and says he is disappointed with the proposed changes to the facade.Floyd Jackson has lived on St. John Street across from the Centennial Building for 40 years and says he is disappointed with the planned changes to the facade.

Floyd Jackson has lived on St. John Street across from the Centennial Building for 40 years and says he is disappointed with the planned changes to the facade.

Floyd Jackson has lived on St. John Street across from the Centennial Building for 40 years and says he is disappointed with the proposed changes. (Aidan Cox/CBC)

The Centennial Building was constructed in 1967 as part of a nationwide campaign to build infrastructure to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

It housed the province's halls of power for decades, housing offices for about 1,000 government employees and the premier.

In 2012, officials began moving out of the building to make room for renovations and the addition of a $76 million courthouse.

But Blaine Higgs canceled the project just months after becoming premier in 2018, saying the province did not need more government buildings.

It was then sold to Centennial Heritage Properties in 2019 for $4 million, but plans to convert the building into an apartment complex have not yet come to fruition.

The Centennial Building was constructed in 1967 as part of a series of infrastructure projects across Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation. It housed the province's officials and the premier's office before being sold in 2019.The Centennial Building was constructed in 1967 as part of a series of infrastructure projects across Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation. It housed the province's officials and the premier's office before being sold in 2019.

The Centennial Building was constructed in 1967 as part of a series of infrastructure projects across Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation. It housed the province's officials and the premier's office before being sold in 2019.

The Centennial Building was constructed in 1967 as part of a series of infrastructure projects across Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation. (Aidan Cox/CBC)

CBC News asked Centennial Heritage Properties principal Geoff Colter for an interview about planned changes to the building's facade. In an email, he said he would not be available until next week.

The proposed changes are scheduled to go before the Fredericton Planning Advisory Board on Jan. 15, and the city council will first consider the proposal at its Feb. 10 meeting, with a final vote at the following meeting.

“Big loss”

The Centennial Building was constructed at a time when Canadians had great pride and optimism for the country's future, said Jeremy Mouat, president of the Fredericton Heritage Trust.

Its smooth surfaces and vertical lines were typical of modernist buildings constructed around the same time.

With its owner's latest proposal, this character and the echoes of its time would be devalued, said Mouat.

“Their depictions of the North and Northeast [side of the building] is dotted with … balconies that really don’t fit with the … core of the building,” Mouat said.

“[What they’re doing now] is not a nod to the building's…original aesthetics. In fact, if it does not result in degradation or destruction, it certainly weakens what stood out about the…original building.”

A graphical rendering shows a proposed design for the Centennial Building in Fredericton that would include balconies protruding from the building's exterior.A graphical rendering shows a proposed design for the Centennial Building in Fredericton that would include balconies protruding from the building's exterior.

A graphical rendering shows a proposed design for the Centennial Building in Fredericton that would include balconies protruding from the building's exterior.

A graphical representation shows a proposed design for the Centennial Building in Fredericton. (City of Fredericton)

Tim Cunningham lives on St. John Street and received the city's notice of the proposed changes in the mail.

He said the depictions reminded him of structures built in areas that were under the rule or influence of the former Soviet Union.

“It just doesn’t fit the downtown core at all,” Cunningham said. “I just can't understand it.

“They are building a beautiful new justice building. We're building a brand new playhouse right next to it, the legislature is right there. And to put something that looks like this, I think, up there…” . It just doesn't fit.

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