General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[J.OT13]

O.K, so is it's to give the future Carling streetcars access to the Belfast Yards? Or to secure land for the possibility of a Carling main Light Rapid Transit route? Or likely to secure the possibly of both scenarios? But it won't be for actual rail yards cause they will all, main LRT or streetcars, use the Belfast yards?

[waterloowarrior]

Urban Capital purchases James Street Feed Company

http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/ms_april2012.htm
Another significant land transaction is the purchase of 390 Bank Street. Urban Capital (James Street) Inc. acquired the property from 176929 Canada Inc. for $3,000,000 or $261/sf. It is improved with the James St. Pub, a single-storey restaurant, but was purchased for land value. The purchaser intends to redevelop the site with a nine-storey condominium apartment building.

[Nepean]

Windmill Developments, responsible for the condo building on top of the new Great Canadian Theater Company and for leading the great Cathedral Hill project, is looking at another site in Hintonburg for a mixed-used mid-rise. I really like this developer so hopefully they can move ahead with an interesting project.

_____

Update: I just noticed the McC post on this very subject on June 18. Apologies for repeating this news.

[McC]

Compendium of development news in the 'Burg
http://hintonburg.com/devwatch.html

[J.OT13]

Richcraft is in fact the largest residential landowner in the city according to OBJ. The stats are in hectares, including suburban hectares.

1.Richcraft; 244.7 hectares
2.Urbandale; 227 hectares
3.Minto; 189.2 hectares
4.Mattamy; 124.1 hectares

But I imagine that Minto would be #1 in terms of units or sqft of actual building floor space.

[amanfromnowhere]

Broccolini just moved this baby into currect projects:

Location : Slater Street, Ottawa (Ontario)
Size : 250,000 sq.ft.
Contract : Design-Build
Year : 2012

The Slater is a sophisticated 21-storey tower that will comprise of private condominium residences and a Boutique Hotel. Located in the heart of Ottawa’s thriving downtown business district directly off Bank Street, The Slater is destined to become a landmark addition to the skyline at the centre of urban life.

Designed by Richard Chmiel Architects and Associates, the Slater's refined aesthetic and clean lines create a contemporary interpretation of classic modernist architecture. Condominium suites range in size from small one bedroom units to spacious double height penthouses with stunning views of the city. Renowned design firm IIBYIV Design has been commissioned to create the interior spaces. They will apply their unique style to the lobby, corridors and amenity spaces. Suites will feature an exceptional selection of contemporary finishes, 9 ft ceilings and an amenity and lounge areas with an oversized terrace perfect for entertaining.

This highly anticipated development is set to launch to the public Fall 2012 with a presentation gallery and model suite.

http://www.broccolini.com/Broccolini_Project_Detail.aspx?ProjectID=203&All=No&Green=No&Current=Yes

I assume that this is 199 Slater project...


but not sure... Could somebody confirm that?

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by amanfromnowhere

Broccolini just moved this baby into currect projects:




http://www.broccolini.com/Broccolini_Project_Detail.aspx?ProjectID=203&All=No&Green=No&Current=Yes

I assume that this is 199 Slater project...


but not sure... Could somebody confirm that?

Yes it is....and I'm loving the redesign! From crappy office building to pretty sweet-looking condo and hotel.

[gjhall]

Renders on their website updated, shows "alt" over the front door ...assuming that means it will be an "alt" hotel by Le Germain

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Renders on their website updated, shows "alt" over the front door ...assuming that means it will be an "alt" hotel by Le Germain

Which rendering are you looking at? I didn't see that.

[rocketphish]

So, we ARE getting a beach along the Canal!

Read "The construction of the Rideau Canal beach continues apace" on OpenFile

[rocketphish]

I've been wondering for some months now what was going on behind the fenced-off Supreme Court of Canada lawn... now I know.

Read "Supreme Court of Canada lawn fenced off until 2014 for major tunnel rebuild" on OpenFile

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Renders on their website updated, shows "alt" over the front door ...assuming that means it will be an "alt" hotel by Le Germain

Also not seeing it

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Also not seeing it

They must have put it up then removed it...it was there I swear! Knew I should have captured it, dang...

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

They must have put it up then removed it...it was there I swear! Knew I should have captured it, dang...

No worries, we believe you.

[rakerman]

From Urban Capital's Facebook page.

Neighbourhood Party

They are listing 11 businesses on "Who We Are":

• Thimblecakes
• Herb & Spice
• Miele
• Saab
• LCBO (it says there's an LCBO in Central 1?)
• Shoppers (Central 1)
• Starbucks (Central 1)
• The Whalesbone
• Tommy & Lefebvre
• Black Squirrel Books
• Ada's Diner

Will be interesting to see how it goes as there is a competing "Shut Down South Central" anti-launch party at the same location and time.

[McC]

but with a couple of the most beloved businesses in the area involved, how many people do you expect would be motivated to mobilize against this (ghastly-named) initiative?

[Nepean]

I really don't understand those who are outraged by the development of Bank. The area around Gladstone and Bank was an eyesore for years, while the corner of Catherine and Bank was even worse. I for one am glad that Urban Capital and Brad Lamb are rushing to develop this part of town.

Some of the comments on the OpenFile article that rakerman linked to talked about how the liked the "seedy" feel of Bank street, as if keeping the area looking like garbage was a virtue. I guess these people are thrilled about the fact that Somerset House is a derelict, boarded up mess. But hey, the place is seedy, so it must be great.

I agree that the name South Central is terrible. In fact, I emailed Urban Capital to say that I thought they had chosen a bad name. But just because you use a name doesn't mean it will stick. People will call things whatever the want. Case in point, the McGill student union building is the Shatner building, after William Shatner, even though that is not its official name.

At the end of the day, what is important is that Bank is finally moving forward after years of neglect, and that life is being breathed into this part of town. For me the label, name, brand or trademark of the neighbourhood is unimportant, nor is it something to really get upset about.

[jaydog0212]

Originally Posted by Nepean

I really don't understand those who are outraged by the development of Bank. The area around Gladstone and Bank was an eyesore for years, while the corner of Catherine and Bank was even worse. I for one am glad that Urban Capital and Brad Lamb are rushing to develop this part of town.

Some of the comments on the OpenFile article that rakerman linked to talked about how the liked the "seedy" feel of Bank street, as if keeping the area looking like garbage was a virtue. I guess these people are thrilled about the fact that Somerset House is a derelict, boarded up mess. But hey, the place is seedy, so it must be great.

I agree that the name South Central is terrible. In fact, I emailed Urban Capital to say that I thought they had chosen a bad name. But just because you use a name doesn't mean it will stick. People will call things whatever the want. Case in point, the McGill student union building is the Shatner building, after William Shatner, even though that is not its official name.

At the end of the day, what is important is that Bank is finally moving forward after years of neglect, and that life is being breathed into this part of town. For me the label, name, brand or trademark of the neighbourhood is unimportant, nor is it something to really get upset about.

When people say they like the seedy feel what that says to me is there worried about change they like things as it is.

[McC]

Originally Posted by jaydog0212

When people say they like the seedy feel what that says to me is there worried about change they like things as it is.

Thank you for interpreting, I was unsure that when people say that they like things as they are, what they really mean is that they like things as they are.

[waterloowarrior]

David Wex was glittered, protester arrested, fire alarm pulled


https://twitter.com/jaimiek/status/222824421721772032