Lansdowne Park Redevelopment Phase 1 | Completed

[cjones2451]

North side roof is supposed to be going in next week. I am surprised at how fast this is going in compared to Hamilton but they are both supposed to be ready for the 2014 CFL season.

[rocketphish]

Minto to get more Lansdowne business as work on Glebe redevelopment continues

Family company of OSEG partner already building residential and office space

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 29, 2013 4:06 PM

OTTAWA — Minto, the family property-development company of the city’s lead partner in redeveloping Lansdowne Park, should get more construction contracts on the project in order to keep it on time and on budget, city staff say.

The recommendation is included in a report to city council’s finance committee, a report that also says in the future such arrangements should be made without asking council’s permission because it could be too time-consuming.

The Lansdowne project, a $400-million joint venture between the city government and a group of property-development and sports businessmen called the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, is on a very tight timeline if it is going to be finished as scheduled by summer 2015 — already two years later than it was originally supposed to be.

Minto, which is chaired by OSEG’s most prominent partner, Roger Greenberg, already has the development rights to the residential and office buildings that are to help underwrite the massive project, rights it won by bidding in open competitions run by the city. Now it should also get the contract to construct retail buildings at Lansdowne, says the report. That’s a decision that’s technically in OSEG’s hands under the terms of the partnership, though the city could theoretically veto it.

The shops and restaurants are to be underneath the condos and offices Minto is already building. “OSEG notes that it is preferable from cost, engineering, construction and warranty perspectives to have one contractor instead of two different contractors build these portions of the Retail Base Buildings and the Residential and Office Buildings above them,” says the report.

“Minto would earn a fee for the construction of these Retail Base Buildings but the City has received assurances from Minto that the fee being earned is at or below current market rates for equivalent services,” the report says.

There’s a rush: The work OSEG wants Minto to do is slated to start within a month, so there aren’t a lot of easy alternatives. To avoid problems in the future, the report says, city council should give city manager Kent Kirkpatrick the authority to sign off on things like this, rather than requiring council votes. The finance committee is to vote on the idea next Tuesday.

At the same meeting, the committee is to sign off on spending an additional $2 million on unexpected cleanup costs at Lansdowne, which was a fairground for 100 years and has old buildings and some ground contamination from refrigeration plants and boilers. The money is for “urgent unanticipated environmental (asbestos abatement, etc.) issues at Lansdowne.”

The city’s communications office couldn’t immediately explain where the additional contamination was or why two reports on the state of the property before work began failed to catch it. It also wasn’t clear whether the extra $2 million would count in the city’s favour when the time comes to divvy up revenues from the redevelopment.

Finally on Tuesday, the city announced it is putting up its own last tender related to the redevelopment, for the new park in the southeast quadrant of the site close to the Rideau Canal. Four finalists are to put in bids for the work on a great lawn, performance stages, a playground, fountain and ice rink south of the Aberdeen Pavilion. That job is to start in July and be the last thing finished in 2015.

The announcement didn’t name the contractors and the city didn’t immediately respond when the Citizen asked for the list.

[email protected]

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Minto+...ntinues/8451034/story.html#ixzz2UjNdBZeJ

[ortelius]

which parts are supposed to be ready before the CFL season next year?

[JFFournier]

Originally Posted by ortelius

which parts are supposed to be ready before the CFL season next year?

I think all but the park portion.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

I think all but the park portion.

So they cannot start playing if the park is not finished.

[NOWINYOW]

Originally Posted by Boxster

So they cannot start playing if the park is not finished.

I believe "the park" in question is the public access, green space with fountain park. Not the playing field within the stadium.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by NOWINYOW

I believe "the park" in question is the public access, green space with fountain park. Not the playing field within the stadium.

I did not realize they would be playing in the stadium!!!

I thought "the park" would of made a great place to play "touch"...once the fountain is pushed aside. Its not as if there are going to be lot's of spectators.

[NOWINYOW]

Originally Posted by Boxster

I did not realize they would be playing in the stadium!!!

I thought "the park" would of made a great place to play "touch"...once the fountain is pushed aside. Its not as if there are going to be lot's of spectators.

ehehe...ok, you got me!

[JFFournier]

Originally Posted by Boxster

So they cannot start playing if the park is not finished.

The question was not what parts NEED to be finished for the team to play, but rather which are expected to be. That was my interpretation, anyway, based on the way it was worded.

"which parts are supposed to be ready before the CFL season next year?"

Supposed, not "required".

The retail and residential, if I remember correctly, should be finished by then. They aren't required, obviously, but they are supposed to be ready before the CFL season. The "front lawn" is being done last, again, if my memory is sound.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

The question was not what parts NEED to be finished for the team to play, but rather which are expected to be. That was my interpretation, anyway, based on the way it was worded.

"which parts are supposed to be ready before the CFL season next year?"

Supposed, not "required".

The retail and residential, if I remember correctly, should be finished by then. They aren't required, obviously, but they are supposed to be ready before the CFL season. The "front lawn" is being done last, again, if my memory is sound.

That's what I was thinking.

[brentgaulois]

Hopefully this is the place where I can post about their condos.

I went to visit their sales centre in the Glebe, and other than getting an information package, I wasn't exactly served? Another man came in and the guy who gave me the package went to help him and they disappeared into the "mall", perhaps there was a model suite? There was a sales lady helping another lady. So I had no questions answered.

The building and units seem nice, but quite expensive. That's mostly because of the location, as you overlook Brown's Inlet, the Rideau Canal, Old Ottawa South and the Glebe (although I'm not so keen on their shopping). You'll have whole foods, lots of restaurants and retail, and even direct views of the stadium field (the Rideau, which is the southern-most condo might even have a viewing box?). Vibe might even have a communal outdoor space on the eastern side.


The Rideau by Shel DeF on Flickr


The Rideau by Shel DeF on Flickr

The Rideau - 20 stories, 155 units
The Rideau is 20 stories, with 2 storey townhomes and has 155 units. The smallest is a one bedroom, 595 sqft (645 with outdoor space). It faces north. the largest is a 2 bedroom+den at 1292sqft (1360 with outdoor space). It faces southwest.

The smallest is between $328,900 and $367,900. I don't know the most expensive, but the largest unit is sold out. The next is 1141sqft, 2 bedroom+den at $710,900.

Parking is available at $35,000 for units over $355,000. Floor increments vary on views/ locations. Lockers are priced at $5000. Maintenance is $0.44, including building insurance, reserve fund contribution, common area upkeep, heating/ air conditioning (I guess water/electricity is the owner's responsibility). $40 for extra parking, $10 for extra locker.

Property taxes are 1.5%.

Occupancy is late 2014.

I'd say it looks like a nice building and a decent location for the amenities and everything. If you like sports, this is definitely for you, as you'll probably have views of actual games and practices. I feel it's better for older people (older being mid-30s and up), but that may just be the Glebe. While you could potentially bike or walk downtown, it would be better if they had more than the tiny buses to bring you in. Maybe they'll consider a street car?


Vibe - 13 stories, 79 units
Smallest unit is 582 sqft (not including balcony), one bedroom costing between $309,900 and $362,900. Largest is 1028 sqft (not including balcony) 2 bedroom+den, which is a southeast suite costing $508,400. The most expensive is also 2 bedroom+den, 945sqft, costing $509,900-$545,900.

For parking, storage, what maintenance fees are used for and property taxes, they're the same as The Rideau, but the condo fees are more expensive, at $0.49 per month. Occupancy is autumn 2014.


Vibe by Shel DeF on Flickr


Vibe by Shel DeF on Flickr

[MountainView]

Really cool looking models! Occupancy late 2014? They better start building this soon then...guess construction will be happening during the CFL's first season back!

This is a shot of the stadium I took on Friday afternoon.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by brentgaulois

Hopefully this is the place where I can post about their condos.

I went to visit their sales centre in the Glebe, and other than getting an information package, I wasn't exactly served? Another man came in and the guy who gave me the package went to help him and they disappeared into the "mall", perhaps there was a model suite? There was a sales lady helping another lady. So I had no questions answered.

The building and units seem nice, but quite expensive. That's mostly because of the location, as you overlook Brown's Inlet, the Rideau Canal, Old Ottawa South and the Glebe (although I'm not so keen on their shopping). You'll have whole foods, lots of restaurants and retail, and even direct views of the stadium field (the Rideau, which is the southern-most condo might even have a viewing box?). Vibe might even have a communal outdoor space on the eastern side.


The Rideau by Shel DeF on Flickr


The Rideau by Shel DeF on Flickr

The Rideau - 20 stories, 155 units
The Rideau is 20 stories, with 2 storey townhomes and has 155 units. The smallest is a one bedroom, 595 sqft (645 with outdoor space). It faces north. the largest is a 2 bedroom+den at 1292sqft (1360 with outdoor space). It faces southwest.

The smallest is between $328,900 and $367,900. I don't know the most expensive, but the largest unit is sold out. The next is 1141sqft, 2 bedroom+den at $710,900.

Parking is available at $35,000 for units over $355,000. Floor increments vary on views/ locations. Lockers are priced at $5000. Maintenance is $0.44, including building insurance, reserve fund contribution, common area upkeep, heating/ air conditioning (I guess water/electricity is the owner's responsibility). $40 for extra parking, $10 for extra locker.

Property taxes are 1.5%.

Occupancy is late 2014.

I'd say it looks like a nice building and a decent location for the amenities and everything. If you like sports, this is definitely for you, as you'll probably have views of actual games and practices. I feel it's better for older people (older being mid-30s and up), but that may just be the Glebe. While you could potentially bike or walk downtown, it would be better if they had more than the tiny buses to bring you in. Maybe they'll consider a street car?


Vibe - 13 stories, 79 units
Smallest unit is 582 sqft (not including balcony), one bedroom costing between $309,900 and $362,900. Largest is 1028 sqft (not including balcony) 2 bedroom+den, which is a southeast suite costing $508,400. The most expensive is also 2 bedroom+den, 945sqft, costing $509,900-$545,900.

For parking, storage, what maintenance fees are used for and property taxes, they're the same as The Rideau, but the condo fees are more expensive, at $0.49 per month. Occupancy is autumn 2014.


Vibe by Shel DeF on Flickr


Vibe by Shel DeF on Flickr

Useful info.Thanks
The holmwood photo seems to show some (stacked?) townhouses. Was there any info on those?

[nredding]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Useful info.Thanks
The holmwood photo seems to show some (stacked?) townhouses. Was there any info on those?

Minto hasn't released pricing or other details on the townhouses yet. They've always been part of the plan.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Useful info.Thanks
The holmwood photo seems to show some (stacked?) townhouses. Was there any info on those?

Given that the prices excluded taxes, they are TERRIBLY expensive.

[nredding]

Originally Posted by Boxster

Given that the prices excluded taxes, they are TERRIBLY expensive.(

True, but the value will skyrocket once they are completed. Right?

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by nredding

True, but the value will skyrocket once they are completed. Right?

Not sure skyrocket is the right term but they will go up.

[JackBauer24]

Originally Posted by Boxster

Not sure skyrocket is the right term but they will go up.

Sky Rocket? Doubtful.
Increase? Yes, but in general, Ottawa real estate increases by 6%.

My opinion, the prices are way too high for what you are getting. Yes, it's a great location, but if Lansdowne is going to be as vibrant as they claim (and with a new soccer and football team, on top of all the shopping, I can't see why it wouldn't be) I can imagine myself getting very tired of the constant action - and I'm only 30. Their target demographic (especially for the prices of the Rideau) are Baby Boomers - I would imagine their tolerance for the on-going action/noise would be less than mine.

I actually had a suite on hold their, but once I found out the true price (I think this is the only project in Ottawa that doesn't include HST into their prices) and their deposit structure (25% down over 6 months), I had one foot out there door. The final push for me was that I wasn't allowed to design my suite so that the living room windows looked at the field instead of Bank St bridge, they weren't open to making floor plan changes and I wasn't into hosting soccer/football gatherings in my master bedroom.

[alecz_dad]

Gee. I seem to recall existing residents objecting to the imposition of a theme park on their neighbourhood.

I have wondered how the sort of folks that can afford the units at Lansdowne (i.e. older and wealthier) will feel about the drunken shouting louts streaming in and out of the stadium, arena, etc. day in, day out?

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Sky Rocket? Doubtful.
Increase? Yes, but in general, Ottawa real estate increases by 6%.

My opinion, the prices are way too high for what you are getting. Yes, it's a great location, but if Lansdowne is going to be as vibrant as they claim (and with a new soccer and football team, on top of all the shopping, I can't see why it wouldn't be) I can imagine myself getting very tired of the constant action - and I'm only 30. Their target demographic (especially for the prices of the Rideau) are Baby Boomers - I would imagine their tolerance for the on-going action/noise would be less than mine.

I actually had a suite on hold their, but once I found out the true price (I think this is the only project in Ottawa that doesn't include HST into their prices) and their deposit structure (25% down over 6 months), I had one foot out there door. The final push for me was that I wasn't allowed to design my suite so that the living room windows looked at the field instead of Bank St bridge, they weren't open to making floor plan changes and I wasn't into hosting soccer/football gatherings in my master bedroom.

[kwoldtimer]

How do the sq ft costs compare to other buildings coming on stream in town?