Lansdowne Park Redevelopment Phase 1 | Completed

[phil235]

Originally Posted by umbria27

I fully back the ski hill. Mount Soil Remediation could host the Winter X-Games.

I also think the lack of a hotel is a real shame. One of the condo towers should have been a hotel. On the other hand, maybe it creates an opportunity for another developer. Many suspect that the Bank Street LCBO will disappear once Lansdowne is built and Isabella is expanded. That site adjacent to Central Park would make a great location for a boutique hotel.

Where is the office space at Lansdowne?

Agree on the hotel (and your idea for the X-Games, obviously, as big events will be key to the ski hill's viability).

Your idea of a boutique hotel is interesting. Definitely a better use of that lot than overflow parking for La Strada, and something that Ottawa is lacking. I know there are economic factors at play, but I can't understand why there is still so much surface parking on prime Bank St. lots in the Glebe.

The office space at Lansdowne is in a 5-6 storey tower to the right of the Bank St. entrance, with retail at ground level.

[J.OT13]

It's too bad they built so many ugly residential buildings across the street from Lansdowne; those lots have so much lost potential.

As for the office building, it's on Bank Street aligned with the Civic Centre/North side bleachers.

[citydwlr]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's too bad they built so many ugly residential buildings across the street from Lansdowne; those lots have so much lost potential.

Definitely agree! Just did a street view of that strip and it already looks pretty dated, even though some of those buildings were built at least a decade ago.

I think the Hotel was a bit of a mistake as well, especially with teams/fans coming into town for games. They could have converted half of the condo to hotel space (like the Re, or Slater/Alt)...Sales on the condo though are pretty good from what I gather, so that won't happen.

I'm half expecting the Kettleman's to vanish off the corner of Bank and Holmwood eventually. It sits on a pretty large/prime lot, and I would imagine someone's going to want to develop something on that property. A hotel or low-rise condo might be just the thing (with street-level retail). Actually, they might even consider absorbing the Beer Store property too to make a more substantial development.

[JFFournier]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's too bad they built so many ugly residential buildings across the street from Lansdowne;

Careful, those Holmwood resident are very sensitive and ridiculously emotional.

[citydwlr]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

I don't know if this is news. The Trinity site lists tenants that I only knew as rumoured but not confirmed.

TENANTS
Ground Level
Sporting Life
LCBO
Joey
Il Fornello
Local

Second Level
Sporting Life
Whole Foods
Empire Theatres (10 screens)

I keep thinking there'll be some talk soon (in the next few months) of the rest of the retail tenants going in at Lansdowne. We've probably speculated long and hard on this to death already, but I felt like comparing the original Retail Leasing map (via CBC Ottawa) with what we already know from the Trinity listing and this OBJ article (Hey, it's a slow day on the forum today ). Based on their categories, here's what we've got so far (I'm missing 2 - I can't decipher them from this map):

(* Everything marked with a has been confirmed from the sources mentioned above)

Restaurants:
Il Fornello []
Local []
Jack Astors []
Wasabi Sushi
Joey []
Milestones []
Sunset Grill
South St. Burgers []

Retail Food:
Menchies
LCBO []
Laura Secord
Cake Shop
Whole Foods (Building H) []

Retail Store:
Sporting Life []
Puma
Lulu Lemon
Under Armour
Mrs. Tiggy Winkles
Restoration Hardware
Children's Place
Bootlegger
Claires
Fratelli (I think that's what it says - not the restaurant, apparently)
Sunglass Hut
Spence Diamonds
The Source
Wind Mobile (Probably not now)
something (can't read it) in building G1 (beside Bootlegger)
Vacant lot in Building I (on Bank)
Rexall (unlisted) []
Some 2nd Floor Tenant in Building B

Personal Service:
Joseph's Salon
Good Life Fitness
Something (can't read it) in building H (above LCBO)

Cinema:
Empire Theatres (Tentative - may be a Cineplex afterall) []

Banks:
TD Bank []
BMO []

I won't comment on the somewhat lacklustre retail offerings, but as I've mentioned before, the early map has been pretty accurate thus far even though they said it was a "rough guide" of the type of tenants they're pursuing.

Wind Mobile, though, I can't see moving in since they seem to be on the verge of being bought out. Puma closed it's store on Bloor Street in Toronto (and has now become a North Face), and they seem to be sticking to outlet malls as of late, so I don't know if that one will be in the mix either. I'm also pretty surprised that they've placed a BMO next to a TD Bank as well...

Anyway, there's the list as far as I can make out.

[kevinbottawa]

I'd like to see more clothing stores/boutiques. Not enough fashion in that mix in my opinion. Ottawa has yet to put together a great street for clothing shopping.

[nredding]

The banks were on Trinity's website at one time and then pulled. So they're probably out. When Tiggy Winkle's was on the website as a future tenant, Tiggy Winkle's put a notice in their shop window saying they weren't going to be in Lansdowne.
I imagine a lot of the tenants represent wishful thinking on the developer's part.

[JFFournier]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I'd like to see more clothing stores/boutiques. Not enough fashion in that mix in my opinion. Ottawa has yet to put together a great street for clothing shopping.

This is potentially faulty memory on my part, but I believe there was an agreement with the Glebe BIA to keep those kinds of stores at a low level (so as to avoid hurting business of pre-existing stores in the 'hood).

[citydwlr]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I'd like to see more clothing stores/boutiques. Not enough fashion in that mix in my opinion. Ottawa has yet to put together a great street for clothing shopping.

I was hoping to see that too! Though, I'm still holding out some hope for Sparks Street. I know Les has mentioned wanting super high-end shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc..., but I think they should make a street full of Canadian retail (Roots, Parasuco, Lulu Lemon or Lolë, Canada Goose, Domison, A revitalized Holts, a funky bakery like Art Is In, a chocolate shop in the vein of SOMA in Toronto, etc...), and the only exception: a Flagship Apple store (one of the ones with a theatre) But I digress...

The clothing options aren't plentiful at Lansdowne, and what is on schedule to go there isn't overly exciting. Kevin, I think you mentioned an H&M at one point, if I recall. I think that's a decent option for this place - it's an affordable store for sure. With it going in at Rideau and Bayshore, I don't know what the chances are for it to go here, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for something along those lines.

Also, I've been to Restoration Hardware...it certainly serves a certain niche market of furniture buyers, but it's not for everyone. A Design Within Reach, Crate & Barrel (as was originally planned), or CB2 would have been more ideal, I think - they all serve a wider demographic.

I doubt this would ever happen, but a Beau's Flagship brewery or bar could be kinda cool since they're one of the bigger names in the Ottawa craft-beer market. The original Lansdowne renders showed a brewery in the mix. Maybe we'll see a Big Rig move in instead?

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

This is potentially faulty memory on my part, but I believe there was an agreement with the Glebe BIA to keep those kinds of stores at a low level (so as to avoid hurting business of pre-existing stores in the 'hood).

Yes, I think I remember they made that kind of agreement. I really don't know why. How many clothing stores are there in the Glebe, less than five? I imagine they'd be more so hurt by restaurants at Lansdowne than clothing stores. Maybe OSEG or the City, whoever made the agreement, were desperate to get the BIA on board, because the mix of tenants is incomplete without a few clothing stores (not including the ones that sell sports related clothes). You need some stores to attract the female teenage crowd; the Beliebers, etc.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I'd like to see more clothing stores/boutiques. Not enough fashion in that mix in my opinion. Ottawa has yet to put together a great street for clothing shopping.

Originally Posted by citydwlr

I was hoping to see that too! Though, I'm still holding out some hope for Sparks Street. I know Les has mentioned wanting super high-end shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc..., but I think they should make a street full of Canadian retail (Roots, Parasuco, Lulu Lemon or Lolë, Canada Goose, Domison, A revitalized Holts, a funky bakery like Art Is In, a chocolate shop in the vein of SOMA in Toronto, etc...), and the only exception: a Flagship Apple store (one of the ones with a theatre) But I digress...

The clothing options aren't plentiful at Lansdowne, and what is on schedule to go there isn't overly exciting. Kevin, I think you mentioned an H&M at one point, if I recall. I think that's a decent option for this place - it's an affordable store for sure. With it going in at Rideau and Bayshore, I don't know what the chances are for it to go here, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for something along those lines.

Also, I've been to Restoration Hardware...it certainly serves a certain niche market of furniture buyers, but it's not for everyone. A Design Within Reach, Crate & Barrel (as was originally planned), or CB2 would have been more ideal, I think - they all serve a wider demographic.

I doubt this would ever happen, but a Beau's Flagship brewery or bar could be kinda cool since they're one of the bigger names in the Ottawa craft-beer market. The original Lansdowne renders showed a brewery in the mix. Maybe we'll see a Big Rig move in instead?

If the Sparks Street BIA pushed hard to try become the fashion destination in Ottawa (whether it's solely Canadian, famous outlets, or a mix), it would do wonders for the street and likely turn it around from being dead most of the time.

[JackBauer24]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

If the Sparks Street BIA pushed hard to try become the fashion destination in Ottawa (whether it's solely Canadian, famous outlets, or a mix), it would do wonders for the street and likely turn it around from being dead most of the time.

Although I am all for a "fashion district" in Ottawa, I think it would need more than that to revive Sparks. Since the NAC isn't too far, how about an arsty/fashion district - squeeze a theatre and a few studios in there, obvious a few restaurants and coffee shops, and your boutique fashion stores.

[JFFournier]

Pretty thorough update in the Ottawa Sun:

http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/08/18/lans...adlines-to-date-as-2014-cfl-season-looms

Bernie Ashe doesn't lose sleep over the Lansdowne Park redevelopment, mostly because his days are so hectic he's exhausted come nightfall.

That doesn't mean the CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group isn't nervous about the historic $300-million project along the Rideau Canal.

"I have a lot of concerns just in terms of my ability to execute, and my senior team's ability to execute, because we have a daunting task. We have a million things that have to get done in time to open a very highly visible, high-profile program," Ashe said.

"We're using every ounce of our brain matter to make sure we're planning well, to make sure we're staffing well, and we're executing in accordance with those plans."

Residents are finally getting some idea of the massing of buildings at Lansdowne. The south-side stands have taken shape and steel supports are going up in the retail and residential areas.

When the stadium opens in June -- and football fans will be happy to know it's on schedule for the CFL football season -- the exteriors of the retail buildings will be done, the Vibe condo tower at Holmwood Ave. and Bank St. will be enclosed, and the Rideau tower near the Bank St. bridge will be under construction. The hardscaping in the urban park should be complete to help move visitors through the property.

"It's an absolutely wild but exciting sight that's happening. It's all happening at once in a well-coordinated effort," Lansdowne construction manager Marco Manconi said.

"It really is fascinating. Every single day I walk the site I'm blown away how organized and how well the site is running."

Staff quarterbacking the business operations for OSEG are probably itching to move into office space at Lansdowne.

OSEG has set up a temporary executive and team operations headquarters on Industrial Rd. near the Trainyards. The company's marketing team has taken over an old liquor store at Shoppers City East on Ogilvie Rd. where it will open a "customer preview centre" next month for more than 10,500 football fans who have committed to buying Ottawa RedBlacks tickets for the 2014 season.

"We're going to basically walk them through all the excitement that's going to be happening at Lansdowne and specifically with the RedBlacks," Ashe said of the upcoming multimedia and merchandising extravaganza.

Around that time, OSEG plans to announce results of its selection process for a food and beverage operator. Ashe said all bidders gave OSEG important insight into what fans would be interested in seeing.

And as for one of the most important questions -- what kind of beer will fans be drinking? -- Ashe said it will all be revealed soon.

"We're dealing with the biggest players in that space," Ashe said, but he doesn't know yet if beer sales will include local offerings.

"Sponsorship right now is a big priority for me," he said. "It's normal in situations when you open a new building or new sports facility, the biggest opportunity for us as a business is to sell the naming rights to our stadium and to our site."

The market for sponsorships and naming rights is healthy in Canada, Ashe said, and he points to major deals involving Canadian Tire, whose name is now on the home of the Senators, and Tim Hortons, which recently bought the naming rights for Hamilton's new football stadium.

"We're very encouraged by the reaction we have received so far. What we have, we think, is truly unique. We have a destination within our city where this is more than a sports stadium or a hockey arena," Ashe said.

Another role of OSEG, besides being a sports franchise owner, is being a landlord for retail businesses. The company has been quiet lately about other retailers interested in leases, largely because businesses like to control the fanfare about new locations. Major retailers announced so far have included Whole Foods, Sporting Life and Empire Cinemas, which appears to be getting out of the movie business, but Ashe maintained "we're confident that will be fine."

"Our retail leasing program is on track and all being done within the guidelines approved by council," Ashe said.

Minto Group is "very pleased" with the sale of condo units and the developer has been shocked by the quick uptake, Ashe said. It's too early to talk about leases for the office space, but management is confident there will be strong demand, he added.

OSEG is hiring sales and marketing reps and a building general manager. Ashe said the company still has to hire 60-75 full-time employees and up to 200 part-time staff.

Ashe said further planning on how to get people to and from the site is high on his list of priorities. OSEG will bring on a staffer in January to specifically handle transportation issues but management is confident the plans formed to date will work.

"No matter how good that model is, you don't know until people start to actually arrive at the site," Ashe said.

Ashe is a big fan of one idea that continues to be kicked around: Water taxis bringing people to the park.

"I think it's brilliant if we can do it," Ashe said. "When I hear that I think it sounds so cool."

As for Manconi, he's trying to finish the job without causing Glebe residents too much pain.

"I'm really trying to be a good construction neighbour to our neighbours on Holmwood Ave. and Bank St.," Manconi said, adding he understands why some residents might be irritated by the work.

"There are 500 workers who show up every day. We're trying to do this in a manner that's not overly imposing to residents," Manconi said.

What's been done so far?

All components of the redevelopment under construction.
The Horticulture Building was relocated on the site within three millimetres of its design.
Urban park contractors are moving dirt.
Steel beams for the residential and retail buildings are being assembled.
The superstructure of the south-side stands is nearly finished and work on the north-side stands roof is ongoing.
Two cranes on the site are expected to be taken down in the coming days.

Is the redevelopment on schedule?

Everything looks good for the stadium to open as planned next June.
It will be the first building to open in the redevelopment, just in time for the Ottawa RedBlacks to move in.
Mixed-use buildings are scheduled to be finished by fall or winter 2014 and the urban park will be complete by summer 2015.

[umbria27]

"Ashe is a big fan of one idea that continues to be kicked around: Water taxis bringing people to the park.

"I think it's brilliant if we can do it," Ashe said. "When I hear that I think it sounds so cool." "

Ashe undermines his credibility when he says things like this. Anybody who has thought about it for more than a moment knows that canal speed limits renders the water taxi idea dead in the water.

[JFFournier]

Originally Posted by umbria27

"Ashe is a big fan of one idea that continues to be kicked around: Water taxis bringing people to the park.

"I think it's brilliant if we can do it," Ashe said. "When I hear that I think it sounds so cool." "

Ashe undermines his credibility when he says things like this. Anybody who has thought about it for more than a moment knows that canal speed limits renders the water taxi idea dead in the water.

Not at all. I did it in 2003. I believe it was Paul's Boat Lines then too and it was catered by The Marbleworks. We left from near the Rideau Centre, got let out at Lansdowne and returned the same way. It was a great time.

[J.OT13]

From the Sun;

Staff quarterbacking the business operations for OSEG are probably itching to move into office space at Lansdowne.

How much space would administrative operations take in the building assuming not only OSEG, but the NBAC and the NASL teams establish themselves in there? And how much space is actually in that building?

Also;

Around that time, OSEG plans to announce results of its selection process for a food and beverage operator. Ashe said all bidders gave OSEG important insight into what fans would be interested in seeing.

And as for one of the most important questions -- what kind of beer will fans be drinking? -- Ashe said it will all be revealed soon.

I don't care about the beer, but the soft drink contract better go to Coca-Cola and not Pepsi!

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

Not at all. I did it in 2003. I believe it was Paul's Boat Lines then too and it was catered by The Marbleworks. We left from near the Rideau Centre, got let out at Lansdowne and returned the same way. It was a great time.

In fact, Paul's Boat Lines are excited to do it again:

Paul's Boat Lines ‏@PaulsBoatLines 14 Aug

Can't wait for the @REDBLACKS to start up! Watching the stadium grow bigger everyday. We'll be bringing fans by the boat load to the games.

You know that old saying, getting there is half the fun? Not everything is about speed. JFFournier is right on, this could be a great time. Sort of like the Ottawa version of tailgating!

Part of the point of the Lansdowne redevelopment is to make game day about more than racing to the stadium in your car then leaving the game early to beat the garage traffic out of the site then racing home again...we already have one venue like that, and they're trying to be more like this too.

In short, breathe deep, relax, and enjoy.

To me, it would seem natural to run them from Carling station/Dow's lake and from Rideau and uOttawa/Campus station/8 Locks Flat areas.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

To me, it would seem natural to run them from Carling station/Dow's lake and from Rideau and uOttawa/Campus station/8 Locks Flat areas.

Serve three metro stations, that would be awesome!

The scale of this project is absolutely huge. It's even more impressive considering the speed in which this will be built.

We haven't seen this kind of huge one shot builds since the Museum of Civilization or Place de Ville phase I (phase II would have been in there if it wasn't for the waste of space Podium or the full height proposals).

[umbria27]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

Not at all. I did it in 2003. I believe it was Paul's Boat Lines then too and it was catered by The Marbleworks. We left from near the Rideau Centre, got let out at Lansdowne and returned the same way. It was a great time.

A river cruise boat with a catered meal is a great idea, but it is not a water taxi.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by umbria27

A river cruise boat with a catered meal is a great idea, but it is not a water taxi.

Paul's boats are not currently set up to serve meals. The design of the boats does not easely accomodate this very well.