Last year at this time, I was struggling to post even one thing a day. This year, there just seems to be more going on. Even if some of them are little, it’s good to see things happening/changing.
There is still work being done around the new Cantina Charlies. The building is painted blue and they will be switching the signs soon.
The walkway over the Niagara Parkway at the renovated Table Rock Place is coming along.
The renovations at Al Macs seem quite substantial
The Beef Baron on Centre Street is all boarded up…
…as they are undergoing renovations
The Build-A-Bear Workshop is supposed to be opening soon, but it still looks like there is a lot of work to do.
Here is the other “High Times” on Victoria Avenue
I’ve lost count of what floor they are on, but work continues on the Hilton. After the accident yesterday, things seem a little quieter around the site, but there are still workers there.
We’ve known for a couple of weeks now that Niagara Freefall is open
In case anyone is interested, the shark attack has been contained 
Actually, the original shark is still on the loose (why didn’t they take this one away?!)
Related posts
- Hilton construction update...
- Construction and development update - Part 2 of 2...
- Update to the “Beginning of May construction update”...
- Al Macs construction update...
- Construction and development update - Part 1 of 2...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Wow I really don’t like the look of Cantina Charlies! It’s very in your face bright. But I guess it fits in with the tackiness/fun of the area.
Table Rock is looking really great. I can’t wait to see the final product with The Fury, Clock Tower, and viewing area.
Al Mac’s seems to be undergoing construction more that I originally thought. Hopefully it will make that corner look more appealing. Right now it’s one of the most important intersections of the tourist areas and it’s not so easy on the eye.
The Build A Bear will fit right in just off Clifton Hill, and it’s good to see more retail in the area.
The Hilton has really grown over the past couple of months. This is one of the best hotel developments just because of it’s height makes it one of the tallest buildings in the country and the base will be more pedestrian friendly than the other hotels in the falls.
Is it just me or does the Hooters glass building look unfinished? Is that on purpose?
No matter the economy, Niagara is like the water going over the falls, it just keeps on going!
OH NO not the Beef Baron. I hope it re-opens by the 27th so i can eat there.
Well I have been away for a while and I am amazed at all the changes. I agree Graham as little they still are exciting.
The ones I am interested in are:
Table Rock - I am very excited to see the finish product. I enjoyed shopping there anyways it just furthers excitement.
Al Mac’s - Is a play we driving by frequently and plan on going but never do. I will certainly give it a try my next trip.
Beef Baron - Another place I plan to go and never do. I know people who rave about the place. Renovations are always a good thing.
HighTimes - Did not like it when it was at their old location and I do not like it now. Seems they moved to a more central location.
Places I would like to see renovations take place to keep up with the times would be the Skylon Tower but they don’t seem to be hurting at least the elevations to the observation Tower.
Well Two More weeks and my Cast will be off Yeah Me!
geez.. the Hilton is a GIANT!! i counted 17, anyone disagree?
dan…the niagara freefall pyramid does look unfinished, and i don’t know if its on purpose.
never even heard of Beef Baron.
That table rock house is gonna look amazing when its finished, inside and out!
i’m still against high times
Cantina charlie’s is coming along, but that bright blue colour…
Ripley’s shark attack… where is that? in the museum?
Al Mac’s will probably look brand new, based on the fact i can’t see any original walls in the picture!
and build-a-bear… stealing people’s well-earned money for 3 years!
i’m done
Shark is for Rainforest Cafe. They have a couple mini sharks that swin around. You can see them when you visit the Giftshop
Definitely agree that the skylon could use a few changes although there have been changes going on there for a while, when I started going their arcade looked like the dungeon of a basement with an unpainted cement floor, this made it look very run down and trust me it was way worse than it is now. But now it looks much better and it is painted to look like a decent arcade. Now if they would just open the eating places and staff the place a bit better it would be perfect, oh yeah, and refurbish that bridge and walkway, its very dangerous! I think there was some construction at the skylon going on last year too, not sure if they finished any of that or not. I cannot comment on the other parts of the skylon other than the parts on the main level, as I have never been to the top.
I think the skylon doesn’t change much because its a place people are going to go to no matter what, so they don’t really need to change because tourists will come no matter what the place looks like.
sara, you got a good point.
Skylon is niagara falls, Ont, and noone can beat it, except Hilton building’s height! lol
I think at some point the Skylon will be torn down, and the property wil be sold for more hotels. The novelty of the Skylon no longer exists, if all these hotels near it are taller than the Skylon itself. Does the city own the land the Skylon sits on? Or is it privately owned? Either way, imagine what that property would sell for.
I disagree. The Minolta is a smaller tower but of curse it now has a hotel. I think they would add something before tearing it down. Like many posted above Skylon Tower is a major attraction. The Arcade stores and food court may not alway look busy but how many times have you gone to the observation tower not crammed in like sardines. Many go up there even more during the fireworks. (But actually I find a better view right in front of the Tower.
i disagree, niagara, skylon is niagara falls, and nothing can take that away! second, how many people would really want to stay o the top floor of a hotel that high?
third, noone wants the skylon to get torn down, and i’m sure if that would happen there would protesters and people with petitions.
I just think its prime land in an area where the higher a hotel is the more $$$ it will bring in. The novelty isnt what it was before the hotels were at the heights they are now.
I really don’t think they would tear down the Skylon, I don’t know the rules in Canada but it would likely be granted landmark status here, as I have found out a local church has been granted that status and now it cannot be knocked down because it is considered a landmark.
The Skylon, like all of the Niagara area is much busier in the summer, you get a different experience if you go there during the summer than you get during the winter when its dead.
The Skylon won’t get knocked down, because that would mean there is development on the property
lol, this is VERY true.
Look, the Skylon doesn’t need to do any development as people keep coming. It’s like the Maple Leafs. All you hear on the radio are complaints about how terrible the team is, but the Air Canada Centre is filled every night at any price. What motivation does the Skylon have to do any development when the people keep coming?! The only way for the general public to force change is to “vote” with their wallets. I for one still love the view and will continue to recommend it to others. Even when the hotels are built, they aren’t going to have observation decks for tourists. The Skylon will still have a purpose.
Well the tower itself does business, I’m not so sure about the other 10 acres of land of so.
I am sure they make $$ hand over fist. I also agree the view is great, but I guess I look at the potential $ they lose by not investing into the attraction and see that as a missed opportunity. With all the development on that end of town thats gone on, it just seemed like something that may be talked about at somepoint, but just speculation.
I have no problem with the speculation. That’s part of the fun. But people keep wondering why no development is going on. Well, it costs big $$, and it might take years (a decade?) to make that money back. There just isn’t that motivation right now for them. Perhaps as the Fallsview area continues to get built up, and the hotel from Canadian Niagara Hotels gets built, they’ll be forced to do something. I do expect it to continue to exist for many years though (they aren’t going to tear it down.
No, I never thought anything would happen anytime soon. If I gave that impression, I apologize. There is no way it would happen for several years. I meant over a longer period of time. I’m really suprised (in a GREAT way) to see so many projects being worked on/started over this off-season in NF;especially with all the question marks regarding tourism. The Skylon speculation on my end was part of a long term thinking. .
One of my pet peeves in general are the number of announced projects out there that aren’t being built (or at least not yet). There is always great fanfare about the new developments, but then nothing happens. The Crowne Plaza is an eyesore. The Skylon Tower is supposed to build a hotel. What about the aquariums or HOCO’s amusement park? CNH is slowly heading towards the Jolley Cut hotel, but what about the gigantic hotel on Falls Ave? Let’s not even talk about Marineland…
I know there are economic challenges, but if many of the operators had gone through with their plans, then they’d be in a better position today to weather the storm. There would be bigger/better attractions and hotels that would be attracting people.
I wonder if many of the projects you mentioned will not be put together until after June ‘09? I try to stay optimistic about the effects of the WHTI, but I really have my doubts. How large of a role do you think this is playing into the stall in completion on some of these things?
I have a few questions.
I periodically check the Niagara Falls New Development page and there was a couple that left questions as I do not always go near these.
Al Mac’s Deluxe Bar & Grill - Stated Construction started 2/1/08 and is Located in the Canadiana Inn - My question is where is this Inn and did Al Mac’s take over the Inn area to enlarge the Restaurant.
Michael’s Crafts - Coming to the Niagara Square mall states End Of Spring 2008 - Any updates on this. I would go look just to see if prices for crafts are any different. Or maybe the variety is different.
And a funny observation.
If says Pilgrim Inn Contruction started 1/1/08 - States Renovations to Existing Inn. I knew that seemed wrong.
Al Mac’s is on the corner of Ferry St. and Stanley Ave. They are expanding towards an empty lot, away from the motel
Michael’s has all the steelwork and insulation up, and looks like it is on schedule for late spring opening.
The Pilgrim? Renovations is one way to put it
BTW, when they had the accident at the Hilton, the news reports stated that they were on the 20th floor. Can’t figure out how they count.
good observation, drafty, where exactly are the other 3/4 floors they are “adding” on to the count? or maybe they’re just exaggerating?
marineland… ya, by way things are going, and based on how long it took them build topple tower, its gonna be a while, no doubt (2011? 2013? i dunno…)