Opal Ridge incorporates an urban feel with pedestrian connections to existing parkland (Brownlow Park and Penhorn Lake), commercial, and transit amenities. The near-term plan consists of eight multi-residential buildings bounded by 45 townhomes as a transition to the existing low-rise neighbourhood of Manor Park. Future buildings will be mixed-use, incorporating commercial and office uses at the ground floors with residential above.
The proposed development concept for Opal Ridge was created to enable a complete community. In the past, these lands have primarily served as a commercial node for surrounding residential neighbourhoods. This function of the lands, in combination with a highly accessible transit node, is enhanced within the proposed development. Street layout, sidewalks, pathways, bike routes, building design, and building massing are designed to enhance the context of the site while enabling more residents to live within this area of HRM. Community assets surrounding the site, such as Brownlow Park and Penhorn Lake, are preserved with enhanced connections to the existing surrounding neighbourhoods and newly proposed developments within the site.
Open spaces and uses will emphasize and enhance the pedestrian environment. Buildings will have active streetwalls, and strategically located open spaces to break up large lots. Opal Ridge also proposes active connections within the site that support a pedestrian-friendly environment and promote interconnectivity between residences, private open spaces, public open spaces, commercial amenities, and public transit services.
Source: Clayton Dev
