Envie [256 Rideau St] | 2x85m | 2x29f | Completed

[Harley613]

I like the design a lot... I just don't like the location and height. The Great Wall of Ottawa continues! Imagine what it would be like living INSIDE the wall once these are sandwiched between CPIII/IV and whatever else is built on the other side.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I like the design a lot... I just don't like the location and height. The Great Wall of Ottawa continues! Imagine what it would be like living INSIDE the wall once these are sandwiched between CPIII/IV and whatever else is built on the other side.

I like the PIC!!!

[jitterbug]

Assuming these towers actually get built, their exterior reeks of CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. My fear is this part of Ottawa will someday be a mid-rise slum — occupied mostly by renters contributing to the coffers of overseas slum-lords.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by jitterbug

Assuming these towers actually get built, their exterior reeks of CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. My fear is this part of Ottawa will someday be a mid-rise slum — occupied mostly by renters contributing to the coffers of overseas slum-lords.

It might be mostly occupied by U of O students.

[S-Man]

It might be mostly occupied by U of O students.

I've heard this crowd destroys communities...forever!

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by S-Man

I've heard this crowd destroys communities...forever!

Is that sarcasm?

[drawarc]

Meh, but design wise looks better than the junk next door.

[J.OT13]

Exterior styling is totally different from anything else in the City and much more aligned with the standards Rideau Street should have. I like it.

I do agree that 20 and 34 floors would be much better, but it's not going to happen. Federal height restrictions are protected at any cost, just like the experimental farm and the greenbelt. Gatineau Park on the other hand...

As for the interior layout, I don't give a damn. They trying to do to much with little space, but it ain't my problem. Still think they should wait until they can purchase the parking lot next door.

[Fatty McButterpants]

Originally Posted by drawarc

Meh, but design wise looks better than the junk next door.

Holy cripes I'm usually first in line to criticize but even I can recognize this as a huge leap for ottawa. It's different, man. Different!!!!

[umbria27]

Originally Posted by Fatty McButterpants

Call me crazy but I kinda like these. They're different at least (visually, not vertically).

I agree. I quite like this. It's not revolutionary, but for Ottawa it's quite a step. It's interesting how little it takes, some different colours on the cladding and some alternating blocks of balconies with more mass to create visual interest.

[jitterbug]

In a recent issue of Vanity Fair was an interesting article about the booming condo construction in New York City. The trend there is for very tall and very slim towers (think 75+ storeys with a 60 ft. wide footprint), typically clad in all glass (and no balconies). These icons to the "1%" are truly stunning, though beyond the reach of the average buyer who would need to fork out millions for a typical unit. (Many units occupy half a floor or even the entire floor.)

You can see a similar trend in the two other condo hot-spots, Toronto and Vancouver. So I guess when I see run-of-the-mill designs like 256 Rideau -- and most condo buildings in Ottawa -- it's difficult to get excited. In fact, quite the opposite.

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by jitterbug

In a recent issue of Vanity Fair was an interesting article about the booming condo construction in New York City. The trend there is for very tall and very slim towers (think 75+ storeys with a 60 ft. wide footprint), typically clad in all glass (and no balconies). These icons to the "1%" are truly stunning, though beyond the reach of the average buyer who would need to fork out millions for a typical unit. (Many units occupy half a floor or even the entire floor.)

You can see a similar trend in the two other condo hot-spots, Toronto and Vancouver. So I guess when I see run-of-the-mill designs like 256 Rideau -- and most condo buildings in Ottawa -- it's difficult to get excited. In fact, quite the opposite.

I would rather see urban living for the middle and working classes than massive testaments to the wealth of the upper class.

[jitterbug]

Originally Posted by Beedok

I would rather see urban living for the middle and working classes than massive testaments to the wealth of the upper class.

Indeed, and many folks in NYC, Toronto and Vancouver say the same. The problem with towers for the super rich is that most of the time the units are dark -- the owners grace their lofty units with their presence only occasionally when they happen to be in town. But what I'm talking about here is architecture and style. We could have better buildings here too if only we (i.e. city council) demanded it. As for the price points of units, the Ottawa market would ultimately determine that.

[drawarc]

Originally Posted by Fatty McButterpants

Holy cripes I'm usually first in line to criticize but even I can recognize this as a huge leap for ottawa. It's different, man. Different!!!!

It's a unique design for sure, but I'll wait until its built to see if end product resembles what was envisioned.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Imagine what it would be like living INSIDE the wall once these are sandwiched between CPIII/IV and whatever else is built on the other side.

I imagine it's something for the residents of such a dwelling to be worried about, and absolutely no one else.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

I imagine it's something for the residents of such a dwelling to be worried about, and absolutely no one else.

And obviously not even them. There's a market for units facing other buildings, just as there's a market for "rooms with a view".

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

And obviously not even them. There's a market for units facing other buildings, just as there's a market for "rooms with a view".

Yes for blind people or former Manhattan residents.

[Harley613]

I looked at the Oct. elevations..it IS 146 metres...above sea level. The ground floor is at 60 metres. Total is 86 metres...IDENTICAL to CP III/IV. The wall continues...

[waterloowarrior]

Property sold, now planned as student rental apartments
http://ottwatch.ca/devapps/D02-02-15-0080

[rocketphish]

UPDATED:

The proposal features a 26-storey (76-metre) mixed-use building with retail and residential uses. A total of 320 square metres (3,444 sq. ft.) of retail space is proposed at grade, with 279 residential rental apartment units on the upper floors. The building will feature onebedroom and two-bedroom units, with University of Ottawa students as the anticipated residents. As such, the entire second floor and the majority of the third floor, totaling 1,736 square metres, are proposed as programmable amenity space for students.

Pedestrian access to the residential component of the building will be provided from Rideau Street and from Besserer Street. Access to the commercial unit will be provided from Rideau Street.

On-site parking spaces will not be provided for residents. Vehicular access to the development will be provided from Besserer Street, which will include four (4) short-term parking spaces near the centre of the property. Two (2) of the spaces will be designated barrier-free spaces. A total of 219 bicycle parking spaces (211 in a garage and 8 at grade) will also be provided in the development.

New development application:
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__0W3WC6


Revised rendering:




Typical Floorplan: