Historic Halifax Streetscapes

Description

The story of the historic buildings and those who lived in them in old Halifax has been told before by others who concern themselves with history, heritage, and architecture. Yet in 2016 it is still possible to add something new to those stories, in the ever-evolving downtown landscape that is old Halifax.

One needs only to look back to 1988 and the block on Barrington Street that held the St. Mary’s Young Men’s Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, the City Club, the Church of England Institute, Tip Top Tailors, and the Tramway Building to see the transformation. The St. Mary’s building is currently being rebuilt with only the façade remaining. The City Club has already been repurposed and has joined with Neptune Theatre. The Church of England Institute is on the road to repurposing. The little cubist Tip Top Tailors building no longer exists, and in its place is a new building. Then the Tramway Building, minus its turrets, has been purchased and awaits its fate.

The goal is to tell you the story of these transformations and to give each of you an opportunity to walk these streets with this convenient Guide in hand, whether you are an experienced Haligonian or a visitor interested in history and urban development.

This is the city where many live, and what happens in this place is vital to each of us, as well as to our families and friends. It is hoped that it will prove to be of of special interest to visitors, who live in other places that are also changing. Did we get it right? Did we choose our civic politicians, planners, developers, architects, and builders with enough care? What will the many visitors take home to add to their understanding of this historic city, as well as of their own streetscapes? We must continue to be interested, to be curious, so that Halifax will continue to be the city we all love.

And what will you find inside?

Three distinct walking tours, each with accurate colour-coded maps and codes end pages similar to what one would find in most famous cities/capitals of the world. Included in its 113 pages, which cover 96 distinct locations in the old city, are 103 essays and 126 photographs, all amply credited with bibliographic references should readers want to know more about any location or site.

Do it in smaller bites to get the most our of your walks, perhaps with lunch included in one of the fabulous restaurants and cafes in the old city.