Relevé Ottawa [400 Albert St] | 78/98m | 23/29f | Completed

[todayistuesday]

They're taking the tower crane down this weekend. Albert will be closed between Lyon and Bay from From 7pm Friday, June 28 to 9pm Sunday, June 30. (It will actually be open a little to allow bidirectional traffic between Bay and the parking garage entrance on the north side of Albert.)

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by todayistuesday

They're taking the tower crane down this weekend. Albert will be closed between Lyon and Bay from From 7pm Friday, June 28 to 9pm Sunday, June 30. (It will actually be open a little to allow bidirectional traffic between Bay and the parking garage entrance on the north side of Albert.)

Thanks for the update, and welcome to the forum!

Oh, and today is Monday

[Davis137]

These towers are such a standout from the 60's-90's buildings that surround them...I wonder if we can expect more like this in the coming years...

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Davis137

These towers are such a standout from the 60's-90's buildings that surround them...I wonder if we can expect more like this in the coming years...

The entire area provides an amazing contrast, from 1800s houses and Anglican Cathedral, to an early 1920s educational institution, and 70 years of tower developments.

[urbanforest]

Excuse me sir, you can’t park in the bike lane

Crane teardown is beginning. Photos taken today, June 28.

[ponyboycurtis]

Those are some great shots! Always kinda of sad to see a tower crane come down in a way. We had/have so many in this area is was quite the sight to look towards downtown from Lebreton last year.

Anecdotally speaking. I was walking by here two days ago and this couple was on the sidewalk kinda walking slowly and kept looking up at Releve and talking among themselves. Naturally I popped my earbuds out and walked up to them and asked what they were thinking. They were a younger couple mind you, perhaps 30.

I was surprised to hear them say they didn't really like it. Thought it was weird. Strange looking for an apartment building. So I don't really know what the bar of expectations is for the average person in this city. If it wasn't for the balconies you wouldn't be able to tell me it isn't an office building I'll give them that.

In an effort to placate them, I admitted that the units would likely be small and overpriced compared to the building we were standing in front of. 400 Slater. A friend of mine used to live there. MASSIVE 2 bedroom apartment with a sunken living room. Probably 900 sq ft with a very usable kitchen.

Apples to oranges I guess.

I just thought it was interesting the style of Releve wasn't overall appealing to them. Remember... these people were maybe 30 at the oldest.

[urbanforest]

That’s interesting, and surprising. Most times when I walk by there, I spot someone stopping to stare or even taking photos, which I presume is because they think it’s attractive.

[zzptichka]

[Admiral Nelson]

Originally Posted by urbanforest

That’s interesting, and surprising. Most times when I walk by there, I spot someone stopping to stare or even taking photos, which I presume is because they thinking it’s attractive.

Yeah, I think it's a breath of fresh air in the downtown core. Bring on more curves like this to break up the boring lot line to lot line monoliths.

[ponyboycurtis]

Here is a bit of an update with the actual balcony form.








Quick photo of the render from the streetside signage.

Its curious.. that they didn't have the same horizontal treatment for the other sections. AKA... the 'continuous' aluminum.

I guess in the habitable section of the building, they are all EIFS? Makes sense to me.

I suppose it remains to be seen if the balcony glass will be clear or tinted.

Otherwise this is giving us a pretty good idea of the overall treatment. I appreciate the continuity of form.

[SL123]

The balcony Form looks pretty sleek, Love it!!! thanks for the updates

[ServiceGuy]

Has anyone heard anything about the ground floor commercial spaces yet? I have heard so many different rumors about who has leased but most seem to be a food based business. Would a Dollar Store, Bulk Barn, or Giant Tiger work here? Not sure how the commercial is divided up but a small Home Hardware would be interesting. Even if they don't have something in stock they can order in anything within the week. If I am at World Trade Center and need some painters tape and a small roller... I gotta travel for a ways right now.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ServiceGuy

Has anyone heard anything about the ground floor commercial spaces yet? I have heard so many different rumors about who has leased but most seem to be a food based business. Would a Dollar Store, Bulk Barn, or Giant Tiger work here? Not sure how the commercial is divided up but a small Home Hardware would be interesting. Even if they don't have something in stock they can order in anything within the week. If I am at World Trade Center and need some painters tape and a small roller... I gotta travel for a ways right now.

Haven't heard anything. I doubt the building would get a food store that offers near or full service groceries since Moon across the street is getting a Food Basics (based on the most recent info). Not to say Dollar Store, or Giant Tigre would have an issue, since they have a wider range of stuff. Bulk Barn is a very different kind of food store. I believe Dollar Store or Giant Tigre might be too down market for the building though. I'm hoping for a hardware store.

[ServiceGuy]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Haven't heard anything. I doubt the building would get a food store that offers near or full service groceries since Moon across the street is getting a Food Basics (based on the most recent info). Not to say Dollar Store, or Giant Tigre would have an issue, since they have a wider range of stuff. Bulk Barn is a very different kind of food store. I believe Dollar Store or Giant Tigre might be too down market for the building though. I'm hoping for a hardware store.

I occasionally work at about 8 different buildings within a 10 block range of this area and retail is disparately needed. There are many food places open during "business hours", some restaurants open later, a few hair salons, a car rental place, a car detailing place, dry cleaner, tailor/seamstress, etc. General retail is sorely lacking to serve the local community. The retail that will work best is anything geared to foot traffic customers. It may be there but I haven't seen a pizza delivery place and certainly no where to buy basic hardware. Assigned a new office and want to hang a few diplomas and certificates? Head to Home Depot on Innes Rd. I guess. Fortunately no Shoppers Drug Marts but there is a Rexal in Minto Place. One doesn't really see retail until they hit Bank St. and a little further south.

[SL123]

July 19 Update

[ponyboycurtis]

It's too bad they couldn't find a way to use that continuous horizontal banding from the balconies to the rest of the building.

I realize they are two different types of cladding.

Minor nitpick I guess. Given how big of the feature the balconies are I'm happy to see it as built.

I just thought of this now... I wonder what the building would have looked like without the vertical slats on the balconies. If it was just the horizontal band covering the slab edge and then glass railing. The two open balcony floors part of the way up on the southern tower are looking pretty juicy.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

It's too bad they couldn't find a way to use that continuous horizontal banding from the balconies to the rest of the building.

Agreed. Still a fantastic project.

[SL123]

August 5th update

[Davis137]

These buildings look like something you would expect to see in Mississauga or Richmond Hill, not Ottawa...the finished product is turning out very nicely!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Davis137

These buildings look like something you would expect to see in Mississauga or Richmond Hill, not Ottawa...the finished product is turning out very nicely!

Pretty pathetic that this is what we would expect from suburban communities, not the Federal Capital of over a million people.