593 Laurier Ave | 91m | 28f | Proposed

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

The north facing windows would have great views of the new library.

They will have no view of the library, the lot directly to the North is slated for two or three 25 story buildings if memory serves.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Harley613

They will have no view of the library, the lot directly to the North is slated for two or three 25 story buildings if memory serves.

I think 140 Bronson is owned by the city, and leased to the CCOC for affordable housing. I don't recall a development proposal for it.

https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/do...recplan_en.pdf

I have a feeling the developments facing the Library south of Albert/Slater will probably end up being institutional (like new bigger/better digs for the Good Companions Centre?) since residential access seems a bit tight on a busy arterial wedged against the escarpment. I know there are some people who feel that the escarpment should remain a visible natural feature that is not completely obscured, so maybe the land parcel resulting from shifting Slater won't be for tall buildings.

[J.OT13]

593 Laurier Public Consultation Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
6:00 PM 8:00 PM
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8355598329...90TWFBVlZiQT09
(map)

The City has received Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control applications to permit the construction of a 9-storey tower addition to the existing Alexander Fleck House at 593 Laurier Ave. Residents will have a chance to review the proposal and the applicant team will be available for questions and comments.

Please join the meeting by following this Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8355598329...90TWFBVlZiQT09

You can also access the meeting via cellphone or landline.
Meeting ID: 835 5598 3291
Passcode: 755786

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kci90oZaqM

https://www.catherinemckenney.ca/cal...tation-meeting

[J.OT13]

First on the list of today's Built Heritage Sub-Committee.

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

The Committee generally had some enthusiastic support for this one, comparing it to Friday's Roast Beef House (aka Grant House, aka Beckta's) at 150 Elgin.

They also spoke of the possibility of preserving heritage features inside the home, which is great to hear.

[rocketphish]

High-quality renderings:

[Harley613]

The renders look great at first glance but I feel like the reality would be a little cold and brutal on the exposure surrounding the heritage property. It looks like reality would be a whole lot of textured precast concrete, and the real windows won't be so flush and shiny. The barcode concrete effect isn't a nice juxtaposition for me.

[FutureWickedCity]

I just wish it didn't wrap around the house quite so much. It would be a pity for that wonderful turret to be hidden from view.

[Harley613]

I'd like to see the red brick go up two more floors on the two walls framing the house and all glass above, no grey concrete at all.

[OTSkyline]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I'd like to see the red brick go up two more floors on the two walls framing the house and all glass above, no grey concrete at all.

I feel the opposite. If the red brick would go up another 2 floors, then the house and tower would blend in together more. By having it in a different material and different colour, I find the house stands out more.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

The renders look great at first glance but I feel like the reality would be a little cold and brutal on the exposure surrounding the heritage property. It looks like reality would be a whole lot of textured precast concrete, and the real windows won't be so flush and shiny. The barcode concrete effect isn't a nice juxtaposition for me.

Execution is key, and as we've seen in Ottawa, often botched. Let's hope for the best.

Originally Posted by FutureWickedCity

I just wish it didn't wrap around the house quite so much. It would be a pity for that wonderful turret to be hidden from view.

The original proposal had a smaller footprint for the modern building, but it was quite a bit taller at 17 (?) floors. This was the compromise based on consultations with the community and Councillor. The overall floor space is smaller than the initial proposal, I believe.

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I feel the opposite. If the red brick would go up another 2 floors, then the house and tower would blend in together more. By having it in a different material and different colour, I find the house stands out more.

I agree.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I feel the opposite. If the red brick would go up another 2 floors, then the house and tower would blend in together more. By having it in a different material and different colour, I find the house stands out more.

Ok on second thought I agree. I think the heritage home should be the star of the show here, more like this 30 second Photoshop hack:

[IMG]fxUh7XX by harley613, on Flickr[/IMG]

[newinvestor]

No Parking???? For luxury units In Ottawa?
Is there even a supermarket within 1km?
-> Ottawa seems to think its NYC or Toronto with a vibrant downtown core including all the amenities and a transit system that is faster than using a car. However, that is not the case here.
-> Any real estate agent in Ottawa will recommend you only by a downtown condo that comes with parking. They say this for a good reason.
More importantly, I think this builder drank the no-parking cool-aid and thinks they can actually move these units... Good luck selling it to prospective buyers.

[bartlebooth]

Originally Posted by newinvestor

No Parking???? For luxury units In Ottawa?
Is there even a supermarket within 1km?
-> Ottawa seems to think its NYC or Toronto with a vibrant downtown core including all the amenities and a transit system that is faster than using a car. However, that is not the case here.
-> Any real estate agent in Ottawa will recommend you only by a downtown condo that comes with parking. They say this for a good reason.
More importantly, I think this builder drank the no-parking cool-aid and thinks they can actually move these units... Good luck selling it to prospective buyers.

I just bought a house with no parking. I think there's a market for it. This location is close enough to LRT and last I heard, there is a grocery store coming to Queen and Lyon. Even if not, there are plenty of car sharing lots nearby that can be used when needed.

I think you'd be surprised on how easy it is to live in central Ottawa without a car. I've done it for long enough now, I am never turning back.

[J.OT13]

Closest grocery store will be at Claridge Moon a little half a kilometer away.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by newinvestor

No Parking???? For luxury units In Ottawa?
Is there even a supermarket within 1km?
-> Ottawa seems to think its NYC or Toronto with a vibrant downtown core including all the amenities and a transit system that is faster than using a car. However, that is not the case here.
-> Any real estate agent in Ottawa will recommend you only by a downtown condo that comes with parking. They say this for a good reason.
More importantly, I think this builder drank the no-parking cool-aid and thinks they can actually move these units... Good luck selling it to prospective buyers.

There are stores on Somerset like Kowloon and smaller Asian grocery stores where one can go to buy groceries until a supermarket is built at Claridge Moon and possibly at Lebreton Flats (if anything happens). Despite that, there are apartments and condos in the area already with people living there without cars who still go grocery shopping, even if it's at Hartman's. It's actually pretty easy to live in downtown without ever having a car, and it is a good idea exclude parking here. Not to mention there is barely enough room on this property to provide parking garage, and it's location on the edge of a rocky cliff probably doesn't make accommodating parking worthwhile.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by newinvestor

-> Any real estate agent in Ottawa will recommend you only by a downtown condo that comes with parking. They say this for a good reason.
More importantly, I think this builder drank the no-parking cool-aid and thinks they can actually move these units... Good luck selling it to investors who want to flip property and make a quick buck.

There, fixed it for you.

[S613]

I thought I would give my two cents as I have lived in Centretown both with a vehicle and without. (On Lisgar Street for 6 years).

First off, I absolutely love driving, cars, etc and had a vehicle since high school (often two or three at a given time for my sole use). I grew up in a house in Downtown Ottawa and was the sole driver in my single parent family.

In 2019, I had sold my "summer car" as they had appreciated in value and I wanted to look for something else, at this same time my daily (for which I lease) came time to return. Due to my picky taste the dealership that I generally leased from had about a 5 month wait to pick up the next years (revamped model). So, given LRT was then up and running I chose to wait and see what transit was like in Ottawa.

In that time, I walked to the grocery store every second day...I would go to Hartmans, different small grocers in China Town, La Bottega in the market, etc. These walks did not feel like a "chore" and I do absolutely have a very demanding work schedule (not a 9-5). If, I did not feel like cooking then of course I had the option of ordering in.

Now for "evenings/weekends/road trips"...Montreal or Toronto I would simply take the train or fly depending if I wanted "time to work on the train...aka train caesars". For non city road trips I would simply use hertz (get a good credit card, be friendly and amazingly rates can be VERY LOW).

My girlfriend and I also bought and rehabbed three rental properties during that time in Old Aylmer, QC. Again was easy...rented a 8ft bed truck from hertz for the days that required material pick up which (if you schedule properly is very few).

Will I buy/lease another car while living downtown: YES most likely in 2023 when the pandemic is hopefully better under control. Do you "need one" while living in Downtown Ottawa: NO.

[silvergate]

Since we're on the subject, I used to live at Laurier and Bay without a car. That walk to Hartman's is a slog from there, especially in the winter, especially on the way back with all the bags.

I agree with S613 that it didn't quite feel like a chore, at least not to younger me. But it's a pretty significant time commitment for a weeknight, so a grocery store anywhere in north-west Centretown will be a huge boon for residents.

[S613]

@Silvergate totally agree...I think a "Claridge Moon" grocery store would be a wonderful addition and maybe a wine rack at minimum (happy to see a new LCBO at the Place Bell).

If we are really lucky 9 new shoppers drug marts will also open so we can get a normal Ottawa per capita instalment in West Centertown. hehe.