Former Brooklyn Warehouse restaurant, other Halifax buildings come down to make way for proposed 112-unit building

An excavator tore through the former Brooklyn Warehouse restaurant in Halifax this week, prepping the site and some neighbouring properties for a new apartment building.

Demolition permits had been issued for the old site of the popular eatery, along with the building that housed the Gold Barbershop. Both structures also contained apartments, and another building next to the barbershop appeared to be all apartments.

The properties are owned by Sigma3 Inc. The entire site is across Almon Street from the Halifax Forum.

Several social media users posted messages of sadness at the Brooklyn Warehouse building’s demise, expressing their appreciation for the food at the restaurant or the character of the building, which at one time housed Ross Burner and Electric.

Others expressed unhappiness at the losses, suggesting it was another blow to the charm of Halifax for the sake of another large apartment building.

There was also surprise that the restaurant was closed, although it shut down last year.

After announcing the closure in early 2025, owner George Christakos said he was shutting down partially because of lease renewal costs but also so he could concentrate on his other restaurant, Battery Park, in Dartmouth. He said at the time that trying to run both meant he wasn’t able to look after either the way he wanted and that was a demoralizing feeling,  but being able to shed some responsibilities and focus on one location was the right decision.

He started the restaurant with his late father, Leo, in 2007, and chose the building it was in because of the character it had, he said last year.

They started it with just a lunch menu but, as customers continued to ask when they would be opening for dinner, they changed their focus.

According to demolition permits, the buildings are being taken down to make way for a seven-storey, 112-unit apartment building with two underground parking levels. HRM spokeswoman Sarah Brannen said the municipality has received a development permit application for the project that is under review.