Rideau Centre Expansion | Completed

[J.OT13]

The skywalks will be modernized. What I like about the plan is moving the food court, street level retail, Nordstrom's exterior design and Ogilvy. I hate the mis match of materials used all over the façades and I hate the way Ogilvy's façade is just hung on the wall like an after thought.

[archie-tect]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The skywalks will be modernized. What I like about the plan is moving the food court, street level retail, Nordstrom's exterior design and Ogilvy. I hate the mis match of materials used all over the façades and I hate the way Ogilvy's façade is just hung on the wall like an after thought.

It is however unfortunate that the Food Court is being replaced with the Shoppers. I agree the way that Ogilvy's is being used, there are enough level changes inside the mall that if that were the only reason they could have retained it. My guess is they wanted the space underneath for parking, although it is unusual to move/modify a heritage building to accommodate parking ... oh wait, never mind

As for the overpasses I think that something like a media mesh cladding would be great on top of glass. Really cool on Canada Day and other special events.

[mac_junkie1]

I don't think it'll just hang there though. Its being "rebuild" on the ground. It serves as a fully functional part of the addition with a restaurant on the first floor. Its not "in the structure". Its being built outwards so they can also solidify the top part with the cornices and stuff and the flag pole and all that. It'll also have those awnings and such. It'll be stable in the ground with the glass cube built behind it. I think what's taken so long to start is they heard the concerns about the floor sticking in the 3rd floor windows and I believe they're trying to do new plans to avoid that because it looks hideous. What we saw were "starter" drawings.

The original idea was to keep up to the 1916 part. I saw that in a 2001 report, but I guess over time, they preferred just keeping what was the first phase of the building. It'll be cool to see though.

It'll be done pretty much like they did with Caplans. Build the frame and then apply this on the front properly and solidify it once again. Its a heritage facade, so I'm sure for years to come it'll be properly taken care of, and should Rideau Centre be demolished, they can just keep that part and build something new around it, but I dont see that being a problem for atleast 50-60 years. This thing is being put back to stand for a LONG time. Anchoring the corner once again. The original look will return after its first construction 99 years ago. The idea of keeping what was there "as-is" was explored, but was too costly and not efficient, which is why it was taken apart in pieces to go back up as it was. Anchored.

We'll have to wait and see I guess...

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The skywalks will be modernized. What I like about the plan is moving the food court, street level retail, Nordstrom's exterior design and Ogilvy. I hate the mis match of materials used all over the façades and I hate the way Ogilvy's façade is just hung on the wall like an after thought.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The skywalks will be modernized. What I like about the plan is moving the food court, street level retail, Nordstrom's exterior design and Ogilvy. I hate the mis match of materials used all over the façades and I hate the way Ogilvy's façade is just hung on the wall like an after thought.

I like all the different materials being used on the Rideau facade. It'll be more like a boutique type of experience, like Bloor Street in T.O., with every store having it's own look and feel. It'll look 10 times better than the Yonge Street facade of the Eaton Centre. I hate the Eaton Centre along Yonge. It's definitely not a great shopping experience.

[Harley613]

I too like the different materials on the facade. WAY better than a uniform facade. It reduces bulk and creates more of a streetscape than a big black wall.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by mac_junkie1

I don't think it'll just hang there though. Its being "rebuild" on the ground. It serves as a fully functional part of the addition with a restaurant on the first floor. Its not "in the structure". Its being built outwards so they can also solidify the top part with the cornices and stuff and the flag pole and all that. It'll also have those awnings and such. It'll be stable in the ground with the glass cube built behind it. I think what's taken so long to start is they heard the concerns about the floor sticking in the 3rd floor windows and I believe they're trying to do new plans to avoid that because it looks hideous. What we saw were "starter" drawings.

The original idea was to keep up to the 1916 part. I saw that in a 2001 report, but I guess over time, they preferred just keeping what was the first phase of the building. It'll be cool to see though.

It'll be done pretty much like they did with Caplans. Build the frame and then apply this on the front properly and solidify it once again. Its a heritage facade, so I'm sure for years to come it'll be properly taken care of, and should Rideau Centre be demolished, they can just keep that part and build something new around it, but I dont see that being a problem for atleast 50-60 years. This thing is being put back to stand for a LONG time. Anchoring the corner once again. The original look will return after its first construction 99 years ago. The idea of keeping what was there "as-is" was explored, but was too costly and not efficient, which is why it was taken apart in pieces to go back up as it was. Anchored.

We'll have to wait and see I guess...

I hope your right about the re-design to deal with the concerns of floors in front of the windows and I hope they do maintain it properly for eternity. I agree that keeping the 1907 wall in situ during construction would have been inefficient, especially since they would of had to replace the 1940s brick with the 1916 (and if you're just going to have the 1907 façade, might as well rebuild to it's original look).

I still think (surprise, surprise) that they should have kept the whole 1934-1940s building. The level changes are not an issue for me; that was CF (who always had a part in the Rideau Centre) and Eaton's screw up in the early 80s, not Charles Ogilvy's so deal with it!

I think they demolished for the parking garage, as archi-tect suggested, and because they had it out for Ogilvy from day one.

I would have agreed with the different materials if they would have replicated a few of the heritage façades.

[thepeps]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The skywalks will be modernized. What I like about the plan is moving the food court, street level retail, Nordstrom's exterior design and Ogilvy. I hate the mis match of materials used all over the façades and I hate the way Ogilvy's façade is just hung on the wall like an after thought.

Is the food court still supposed to be moving upstairs where Sears used to be? I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by thepeps

Is the food court still supposed to be moving upstairs where Sears used to be? I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

It's supposed to be downstairs on the first floor.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

It's supposed to be downstairs on the first floor.

No it's supposed to be on the first floor of the old Sears, which is the second floor of the mall.

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by Harley613

No it's supposed to be on the first floor of the old Sears, which is the second floor of the mall.

To clarify, the floor that opens onto Eaton Court, where Second Cup is.

[gjhall]

Just saw that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony and press conference on the 26th...

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by thepeps

I like the plans so far - I would, however, love to see the overpasses either removed or modernized. They're hideous in their current state.

I would love to see the overpasses replaced with a single underpass just below street level linking the basement of the Bay with a (small) new level on the rideau below the area outside shopper drug mart. There could potentially be stores down there as well, along with a escalators and an elevator.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

I would love to see the overpasses replaced with a single underpass just below street level linking the basement of the Bay with a (small) new level on the rideau below the area outside shopper drug mart. There could potentially be stores down there as well, along with a escalators and an elevator.

That would be excellent because it would bring traffic to the incredibly dead useless basement clearance area of the bay which could be renovated for a better purpose, and it would retrofit the nasty shopper's entrance of Rideau which is really just a creepy dirty hangout spot, and a blight on the mall. I love the underground shopping concourse idea, it could really liven things up, and of course be connected to the subway station.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Just saw that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony and press conference on the 26th...

Full plans and quality renderings revealed I hope.

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by Harley613

That would be excellent because it would bring traffic to the incredibly dead useless basement clearance area of the bay which could be renovated for a better purpose, and it would retrofit the nasty shopper's entrance of Rideau which is really just a creepy dirty hangout spot, and a blight on the mall. I love the underground shopping concourse idea, it could really liven things up, and of course be connected to the subway station.

An insider at the Bay told me a while back about the renovation plans for the bay. I don't remember everything, but they included the updated skybridges (we know about these already), re-opening the upper floors of the bay (I think there is 6 floors) that are currently used for storage, offices, and a staff room, some major cosmetic changes to the main floor, and the basement would now be used for the offices and staff room. I agree that the tunnel would be an interesting option, but we have the bridges already so it doesn't make much sense to scrap them. What does make sense, though, is getting rid of that God-awful cladding and glass!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

An insider at the Bay told me a while back about the renovation plans for the bay. I don't remember everything, but they included the updated skybridges (we know about these already), re-opening the upper floors of the bay (I think there is 6 floors) that are currently used for storage, offices, and a staff room, some major cosmetic changes to the main floor, and the basement would now be used for the offices and staff room. I agree that the tunnel would be an interesting option, but we have the bridges already so it doesn't make much sense to scrap them. What does make sense, though, is getting rid of that God-awful cladding and glass!

The major advantage to the tunnel would be a direct connection to the subway. That said, the Rideau Centre plans include an elevator down to platform level (or was it concourse level) at the door of the main skywalk to HBC.

I agree, they should restore the George Street façade to the original masonry and windows, assuming they are still there.

[citydwlr]

I'd like the tunnel option, personally. I find the overpasses are a bit claustrophobic when I'm in that area - I'd love to see them removed. That said, I see their benefit/purpose, so I'd even be ok with removing just one of them (the smaller one closest to Sussex). They could cover the gaping hole where the overpass was with a giant Saks sign .

As per any plans the Bay may have to renovate, I'm wondering if that will come out on or shortly after the ground-breaking of the Rideau Centre (??). I'm kinda hoping for an O&B (Oliver and Bonacini) like Calgary is getting (according to a recent HBC Press Release) on the first level - though, I'd settle for one in the basement or any restaurant(s)/food markets on the upper floor (like they do in Europe - Italy's La Rinascente, for example).

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by citydwlr

I'd like the tunnel option, personally. I find the overpasses are a bit claustrophobic when I'm in that area - I'd love to see them removed. That said, I see their benefit/purpose, so I'd even be ok with removing just one of them (the smaller one closest to Sussex). They could cover the gaping hole where the overpass was with a giant Saks sign .

As per any plans the Bay may have to renovate, I'm wondering if that will come out on or shortly after the ground-breaking of the Rideau Centre (??). I'm kinda hoping for an O&B (Oliver and Bonacini) like Calgary is getting (according to a recent HBC Press Release) on the first level - though, I'd settle for one in the basement or any restaurant(s)/food markets on the upper floor (like they do in Europe - Italy's La Rinascente, for example).

I agree; take out the smaller skywalk and add either a Saks/Hudson's Bay logo in the gapping hole.

A restaurant would also be cool.

Note that the Calgary store is 450,000 sqft vs. Ottawa's 335,000 sqft. I'm not sure if that includes the Freiman Mall (par built in the 80s).

Retail Insider link to HB Calgary's plans;

http://www.retail-insider.com/2013/09/calgarys-downtown-hudsons-bay-to.html

Not on the right thread, but Vancouver is getting a Simon's;

http://www.retail-insider.com/2013/09/la-maison-simons-location-within-west.html

[Ottawa superman]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I like all the different materials being used on the Rideau facade. It'll be more like a boutique type of experience, like Bloor Street in T.O., with every store having it's own look and feel. It'll look 10 times better than the Yonge Street facade of the Eaton Centre. I hate the Eaton Centre along Yonge. It's definitely not a great shopping experience.

Sorry, I don't understand your point. That segment of Yonge is probably the most busiest of Yonge, and I could argue busier than Bloor. Yonge-Dundas is the first intersection to have received the pedestrian scramble.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Ottawa superman

Sorry, I don't understand your point. That segment of Yonge is probably the most busiest of Yonge, and I could argue busier than Bloor. Yonge-Dundas is the first intersection to have received the pedestrian scramble.

He's just referring to the façades; the Rideau Centre plan's show a mis-match of different materials on the façade as opposed to the Eaton's one design façade.