By Pepper Parr
May 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There are a number of tall construction cranes in the downtown core and at the edges of the city as well – the kind of thing that keep the bankers and the politicians happy.
The Melodia – It just never managed to work – despite the Performing Arts Centre right across the street.
Across the street from the back of city hall a restaurant that thought they had it figured out is meeting the hard blows of the wrecking ball – the Melodia is being taken down to make room for an event larger Saxony condominium development.
A more modern look – sharper edges – the structure now fills the site at Locust and Elgin
The developer had hoped to be able to use all of the site on the corner of Locust and Elgin but the owners of the restaurant didn’t like the look of the original offer that was made. There were a number of real estate people sniffing around that site trying to make something happen.
Saxony eventually decided they would just build around Melodia. The got the Wiggsville structure off the property and went along with the wishes of the community for a four storey building when the bylaw would have allowed five storeys.
Then the owners had a change of heart and decided they would sell – that gave the developers the opportunity to develop the site to its fullest potential.
The first version of the Saxony – had more of a classical look.
Unable to strike a deal with the owners of Melodia the Landform group decided to build around it.
Along the way they appear to have had a change of heart and moved from what was classical in design and moved to a more modern look – there will be a small theatre in the ground floor of the building – that will certain add to its cachet.
