St. John’s City Council has voted 6-5 to allow Sonco Group to develop the AP Parking Garage in downtown St. John’s.

A 4-storey hotel will be built on top of the garage; ground level retail and office space will be added, and 21 spaces of parking relief will go ahead at 1 Clift’s Baird’s Cove.

The development sparked a divide in public opinion. Some liked the design and the proposed facelift, with many seeing it as one of the ugliest buildings in the city. Others have said the height increase and building overhang does not fit in with the character of the area.

Council appointed a commissioner to conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendments, and she recommended acceptance.

Application Divides Opinion of Council

Councilor Hope Jameson voted against the development. Jameson says public feedback is clear that there is no desire for increased building heights that will wall off the harbourfront and alter the view.

Mayor Danny Breen voted in favour.

Breen says the Atlantic Place Parking Garage has been an eyesore on the harbourfront. He says this is an opportunity to repurpose and update the aesthetics of the parking garage.

Air rights related to the overhang of the development will need to be revisited in Council at a later date, and public consultation on the matter is complete.