Rideau Centre Expansion | Completed

[Shalaby]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Empire Theatres to close Rideau Centre location, reopen at Lansdowne

by Mark Brownlee, March 11, 2013

There will soon be a vacancy at one of Ottawa’s largest shopping centres as Empire Theatres announced Monday it will be leaving its space at the Rideau Centre before the end of March.

Rideau Centre officials declined to say what plans they have for the space once the theatre’s lease is up at the end of the month.

“We’re exploring our options and can’t really give you any sense of what direction we’re going in,” said Cindy VanBuskirk, the shopping centre’s general manager, in an interview.

The theatre will shut its doors at “the close of business” on March 21, wrote Kelly O’Brien, spokeswoman for Empire in an e-mail.

Empire will open another location at the newly redeveloped Lansdowne Park in late summer or early fall of 2014, she wrote.

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-reside...Centre-location%2C-reopen-at-Lansdowne/1

Holy crap, I didn't see that coming. Although, I guess I should- I don't know anyone who's seen a movie there in the last 5 years. Think another theatre will take its place? Or will this open up a whole lot of retail space on what would pretty much be a new floor of of the mall?

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by Shalaby

Holy crap, I didn't see that coming. Although, I guess I should- I don't know anyone who's seen a movie there in the last 5 years. Think another theatre will take its place? Or will this open up a whole lot of retail space on what would pretty much be a new floor of of the mall?

Do you think Rideau could sustain another floor of retail + the incoming addition? I think the space would be better suited for offices but will be interesting to see either way. Does the theatre have exterior walls that they can retrofit windows into?

[mac_junkie1]

Hi guys.

Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents on the Ogilvy's building. I was granted rare access to go thru it a few months ago and it was pretty cool.

I know everyone wanted to see the whole building stay, and also maybe at least just the 1907-1916 portions, but if you look at the sketch from the CBC, you'll notice how the 1907 portion is completely restored to its original state. That means taking the "ribbed" bricks from the back and putting them on the front, because the ribs on the front were taken off in the 1940s there about. Trust Barry and his crew. He'll do the building justice in restoring it properly. It'll serve a much better use now. I've always loved this building. Its architecture and its mystery. I was born in the late 80s and never really saw this building used, so it also interested me. I'm currently working on a book project regarding "Ottawa's Heritage Buildings", and decided to start with this one.

I've setup a facebook page for the building and post updates and such about it including new and older photos. A "Past/Present & beyond" type thing. I encourage you all to check it out and "Like It".

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Ogilvy-Ltd/532255866825018

Hope you enjoy what I post. Glad some of you liked the 4 floors photo

[gjhall]

I'm not surprised. I saw what appeared to be mall officials, etc with what appeared to be plans and such around the escalator up to the theatre.

My initial thoughts are what a fantastic space it would be for a big draw retailer like H&M. An enormous splash and would drive people into the centre of the mall, which could be very important once the LRT is installed and there is less reason to walk through.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

Do you think Rideau could sustain another floor of retail + the incoming addition? I think the space would be better suited for offices but will be interesting to see either way. Does the theatre have exterior walls that they can retrofit windows into?

I'm no real estate expert, but I definitely think the Rideau Centre could sustain another floor of retail plus the expansion. Even with the expansion, Rideau will still be small for a downtown mall, especially one that'll house the main downtown LRT station and is one of the more successful malls in Canada. I'm sure there's a list of retailers that would like to be at Rideau.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Even with the expansion, Rideau will still be small for a downtown mall, especially one that'll house the main downtown LRT station and is one of the more successful malls in Canada.

I agree that there is plenty of demand for space in the mall amongst retailers, but not sure about your comment that the Rideau Centre is small for a downtown mall. There are really only a couple of downtown malls in the country that are bigger, and with the expansion, Rideau will be pretty comparable to (and infinitely nicer than) the Pacific Centre in Vancouver.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by phil235

I agree that there is plenty of demand for space in the mall amongst retailers, but not sure about your comment that the Rideau Centre is small for a downtown mall. There are really only a couple of downtown malls in the country that are bigger, and with the expansion, Rideau will be pretty comparable to (and infinitely nicer than) the Pacific Centre in Vancouver.

I guess as a former Torontonian I'm used to the Eaton Centre. I expect downtown malls to be a lot bigger.

[Shalaby]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

Do you think Rideau could sustain another floor of retail + the incoming addition? I think the space would be better suited for offices but will be interesting to see either way. Does the theatre have exterior walls that they can retrofit windows into?

I most certainly think it could- if they attracted the right retailers. While I understand that this floor of the mall would in its current state be better suited for offices, I'm hoping this doesn't happen. It's our one shopping mall downtown and this is north america! It should be grandiose and all pleasure.

Originally Posted by gjhall

My initial thoughts are what a fantastic space it would be for a big draw retailer like H&M. An enormous splash and would drive people into the centre of the mall, which could be very important once the LRT is installed and there is less reason to walk through.

I feel like we've all hopped for this so many times. I think this is a great idea, but based on what other posters have said about H&M wanting their first store in the Ottawa market to have its own designated street access, I'm doubtful.

They've made the decision to move the food court into part of the space sears previously took up, correct? I think another good use of this space would have been a food court. High ceilings- maybe open them up for some light, access to the rooftop patio.

[JackBauer24]

Originally Posted by Shalaby

Holy crap, I didn't see that coming. Although, I guess I should- I don't know anyone who's seen a movie there in the last 5 years. Think another theatre will take its place? Or will this open up a whole lot of retail space on what would pretty much be a new floor of of the mall?

They should make it green space and parkland.
- Friends of Lansdowne.

[Shalaby]

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

They should make is green space and parkland.
- Friends of Lansdowne.

Don't give them any ideas.

[Harley613]

They should open this up to competition. Just because Cadillac Fairview owns the space doesn't mean they should be the only ones allowed to develop such an important national treasure.
-Friends of Lansdowne-

[citizen j]

^ (head explodes)

[AuxTown]

This one smells of sole-sourcing all the way. Sign our petition and support our cause here:

www.makeottawaterrible.org

[Kitchissippi]

What could be nice on the 4th level/rooftop would be a whole bunch of full service restaurants with indoor/outdoor access. I can imagine a half-dozen interconnected restaurant pavilions up there with patios, kind of like a mini-village. The Westin could also join in with an entrance and one of their eateries. I think it would really liven up that roof garden and put it to better use. There will definitely be demand downtown for more the well advertised big restaurant chains mostly found in the suburbs, like Montana's, Jack Astor"s, TGIF, Chili's, etc. and if you put 6 or so of these in one spot it would be a guaranteed draw.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

What could be nice on the 4th level/rooftop would be a whole bunch of full service restaurants with indoor/outdoor access. I can imagine a half-dozen interconnected restaurant pavilions up there with patios, kind of like a mini-village. The Westin could also join in with an entrance and one of their eateries. I think it would really liven up that roof garden and put it to better use. There will definitely be demand downtown for more the well advertised big restaurant chains mostly found in the suburbs, like Montana's, Jack Astor"s, TGIF, Chili's, etc. and if you put 6 or so of these in one spot it would be a guaranteed draw.

+1
Restaurants with patios would be a much better use of that space.

[McC]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

www.makeottawaterrible.org

Fished in!

(I clicked)

[Shalaby]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

What could be nice on the 4th level/rooftop would be a whole bunch of full service restaurants with indoor/outdoor access. I can imagine a half-dozen interconnected restaurant pavilions up there with patios, kind of like a mini-village. The Westin could also join in with an entrance and one of their eateries. I think it would really liven up that roof garden and put it to better use. There will definitely be demand downtown for more the well advertised big restaurant chains mostly found in the suburbs, like Montana's, Jack Astor"s, TGIF, Chili's, etc. and if you put 6 or so of these in one spot it would be a guaranteed draw.

I like this idea too.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by mac_junkie1

Hi guys.

Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents on the Ogilvy's building. I was granted rare access to go thru it a few months ago and it was pretty cool.

I know everyone wanted to see the whole building stay, and also maybe at least just the 1907-1916 portions, but if you look at the sketch from the CBC, you'll notice how the 1907 portion is completely restored to its original state. That means taking the "ribbed" bricks from the back and putting them on the front, because the ribs on the front were taken off in the 1940s there about. Trust Barry and his crew. He'll do the building justice in restoring it properly. It'll serve a much better use now. I've always loved this building. Its architecture and its mystery. I was born in the late 80s and never really saw this building used, so it also interested me. I'm currently working on a book project regarding "Ottawa's Heritage Buildings", and decided to start with this one.

I've setup a facebook page for the building and post updates and such about it including new and older photos. A "Past/Present & beyond" type thing. I encourage you all to check it out and "Like It".

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Ogilvy-Ltd/532255866825018

Hope you enjoy what I post. Glad some of you liked the 4 floors photo

Of everyone in this city, I'm probably the most disappointed to see a perfectly fine (structurally), architecturally stunning historic building torn down.

But anyway, I have to accept the inevitable, nothing I can do to save it now.

While we are here, I would like to ask a few questions. I’ll start with two;

1. In the mid-1980s, the building still had its original bird-cage/manual elevators. Are those still there?

2. Has anyone given a good reason to tear it down? BTW, Rideau expansion is not a reason; they could have expanded the Rideau into Ogilvy as originally planned in the 80s. Esthetical damage is also not a good reason, since the inside and outside damage is Cadillac Fairview’s fault (even when Viking Rideau owned it, CF had a say).

Regardless, I appreciate the Facebook link, thanks for that.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by Shalaby

I like this idea too.

That would be too good to be true. WOW great idea. The terrace is hardly used in its current state.

But remember this is Ottawa. They cannot think outside the box.

[JackBauer24]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

What could be nice on the 4th level/rooftop would be a whole bunch of full service restaurants with indoor/outdoor access. I can imagine a half-dozen interconnected restaurant pavilions up there with patios, kind of like a mini-village. The Westin could also join in with an entrance and one of their eateries. I think it would really liven up that roof garden and put it to better use. There will definitely be demand downtown for more the well advertised big restaurant chains mostly found in the suburbs, like Montana's, Jack Astor"s, TGIF, Chili's, etc. and if you put 6 or so of these in one spot it would be a guaranteed draw.

But what about the children!?!?!? Will they have room to play and frolic on the roof tops of downtown????