Developer reveals plans for convent land
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/busines...477/story.html
Envisions ByWard Market-like blend of commercial, residential on heritage site
BY THE OTTAWA CITIZENFEBRUARY 1, 2010 11:03 PM
OTTAWA-Local developer Ashcroft Homes wants to create a “new community” that incorporates the best of the old in redeveloping property on Richmond Road once owned by Les Soeurs de la Visitation D’Ottawa, area residents heard Monday.
While development plans are only at the preliminary stage, Ashcroft will be “sensitive” to the concerns of Westboro residents, architect Rod Lahey said. The developer, he said, is committed to retaining the 100-year-old convent, including its high-ceilinged chapel, and integrating it into a development that will include both residential and commercial usage, as well as a “network” of plazas, courtyards, green space and pathways similar to those in the ByWard Market.
Les Soeurs de la Visitation D’Ottawa listed the property in August 2009. The cloistered nuns have occupied the site since in 1913. The five-acre property near Island Park Drive fronts Richmond Road and backs onto Byron Avenue.
Lahey told the 120 residents at the meeting that Ashcroft will respect any heritage designation the city imposes on the site. The company believes it can “integrate” the original convent, built in 1864, as well as two wings that were added into its plans for
a series of four- and possibly nine- to 10-storey buildings that will offer ground-floor retail space and residential, whether condominiums or retirement apartments for seniors on higher levels.
The project will be designed with a three-floor portico along Richmond Road so passersby can see the convent from the street, Lahey said. The convent itself might be used as commercial space, including, possibly, restaurants, spas and a community centre. All parking would be underground, although there’ll likely be parking access from Byron and Richmond.
Lahey assured the audience that the chapel’s floor, walls and vaulted ceiling will be retained, although the frescoes, carved doors, statuary and other religious objects have been or will be returned to France, where the nuns’ order is based. Some residents said it would be nice to have the chapel used as an arts court decorated with pictures of the artifacts.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Sounds very promising