General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa] - Page 207

RTWAP · #**4121** Posted **Nov 25, 2014, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

But the necessary land is under federal control. The new hospital will be the bone thrown to Ottawa for voting Tory.

Likely also a wedge issue as it is doubtful that the NDP would support loosing the green space. No idea where the Grits would sit on this - unless it was named the Harper or the Baird rather than the Civic.

"Going to get a colonoscopy at the Harper" has a certain ring to it.

waterloowarrior · #**4122** Posted **Nov 27, 2014, 2:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by citydwlr

Another Ottawa Beer Store article...This one for the location at 515 Somerset Street across from Dundonald Park.

Ottawa Community News is reporting that...the Beer Store on Somerset West will likely remain in its 1-story form. Though it will occupy some (if not all) of the current parking lot that is currently there now.

Thomas McVeigh, president of the Centretown Citizens Community Association, thinks that location is not being used to its full potential, and should ideally be a mixed use residential building around 4-stories.

approved at the OMB
http://www.omb.gov.on.ca/e-decisions/pl140346-Nov-12-2014.pdf

harls · #**4123** Posted **Nov 28, 2014, 12:46 AM**

What is the project behind Trailhead in Westboro (with the two huge cranes?)

Last weekend I was at the Gear Garage store on Madison..there was a site proposal sign in the window for a condo development. I think utit wasn't too large...can't remember the exact amount of floors.

rocketphish · #**4124** Posted **Nov 28, 2014, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

What is the project behind Trailhead in Westboro (with the two huge cranes?)

Last weekend I was at the Gear Garage store on Madison..there was a site proposal sign in the window for a condo development. I think utit wasn't too large...can't remember the exact amount of floors.

The two cranes beside Trailhead belong to Westboro Connection:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168551

The Expedition Shoppe's Gear Garage will be demolished to make way for this Domicile project:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=213051

harls · #**4125** Posted **Nov 28, 2014, 1:00 AM**

Cool, thanks!

Urbanarchit · #**4126** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 1:32 AM**

Does anyone know what's happening with the building at Elgin and Gladstone? It's empty and there's construction, but I don't remember if it was just a rumour that it was going to be replaced with a condo building or something.

Elgin/Gladstone by Shel DeF on Flickr

Harley613 · #**4127** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 1:37 AM**

Whoah...El Camino is in that building and it's the hottest restaurant in the city right now...When you say 'empty' surely you mean the top floor, right?

Urbanarchit · #**4128** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 2:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Whoah...El Camino is in that building and it's the hottest restaurant in the city right now...When you say 'empty' surely you mean the top floor, right?

Nope, they were starting with the stores in the pit. I didn't stay on that side of Elgin to look in or ask the workers, but several months ago I think I heard that El Camino was moving to the opposite corner where the cornerstore was. It looks like there was caution tape across the steps though.

waterloowarrior · #**4129** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 2:24 AM**

The salon on the top floor moved to MacLaren and the top floor is currently being listed for lease
http://ottawacitizen.com/life/fashion-beauty/the-loft-urban-salon-is-at-your-service
http://www.primecorp.ca/listings/retail/380-elgin

Urbanarchit · #**4130** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 2:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

The salon on the top floor moved to MacLaren and the top floor is currently being listed for lease
http://ottawacitizen.com/life/fashion-beauty/the-loft-urban-salon-is-at-your-service
http://www.primecorp.ca/listings/retail/380-elgin

Ah, so no demolition then? I guess they were just renovating.

Uhuniau · #**4131** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 3:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by defishel

Does anyone know what's happening with the building at Elgin and Gladstone? It's empty and there's construction, but I don't remember if it was just a rumour that it was going to be replaced with a condo building or something.

Elgin/Gladstone by Shel DeF on Flickr

That property has been a revolving door for as long as I can remember.

kwoldtimer · #**4132** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 3:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

That property has been a revolving door for as long as I can remember.

I was going to ask how Ottawa's "hottest restaurant" could be in such a "not hottest" location?

Acajack · #**4133** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I was going to ask how Ottawa's "hottest restaurant" could be in such a "not hottest" location?

It's actually a really good location but for some reason that building has always seemed to be jinxed. It's been like that for decades.

Harley613 · #**4134** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 1:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I was going to ask how Ottawa's "hottest restaurant" could be in such a "not hottest" location?

I know, it's very surprising. El Camino has been in the Urbanspoon 'Talk of the Town' since it opened and it's ALWAYS busy.

m0nkyman · #**4135** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 2:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's actually a really good location but for some reason that building has always seemed to be jinxed. It's been like that for decades.

Perhaps not having anything street level might be the problem? Stairs up, stairs down isn't a recipe for success.

OTSkyline · #**4136** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 2:39 PM**

I walk by there all the time El Camino IS still open and very much busy. The few times I've tried to go there there was always a 1.5-2h wait for a table..

But I do agree a complete revamp or new building would be well warranted in this spot.

J.OT13 · #**4137** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 5:39 PM**

Weird that Elgin (south of Nepean Street) is the only major urban main street that hasn't seen any new construction. Bank, Richmond, Wellington West, Beechwood, Preston, Rideau... The've all seen significant redevelopment, but nothing on Elgin.

kevinbottawa · #**4138** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Weird that Elgin (south of Nepean Street) is the only major urban main street that hasn't seen any new construction. Bank, Richmond, Wellington West, Beechwood, Preston, Rideau... The've all seen significant redevelopment, but nothing on Elgin.

I was thinking the same thing the other day when I was driving down Elgin.

teej1984 · #**4139** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 6:52 PM**

I like that it has maintained its vibe... not everything needs to be shiny and new!

Urbanarchit · #**4140** Posted **Dec 2, 2014, 9:32 PM**

I've thought about this as well. I think the reason we don't see anything proposed for Elgin has to do with it being an established commercial strip, one that is arguably the most consistent and successful in terms of street-walls and businesses lining it. While all the buildings are lowrises, save for one, there is only one building that has a parking lot (TD Bank). In order to build, developers would have to evict popular businesses and demolish small buildings on small lots in order to build something that would be no taller than six stories.

These new buildings wouldn't add much in terms of vibrancy to the street, as Elgin is already a very vibrant restaurant row. Not to mention there are some sizable (parking) lots within a few blocks that would be cheaper to developer (no demolition) and are perfect for taller buildings to absorb this growth. As well, these other properties would be less controversial than Elgin.

The other main streets on the other hand are not in such a favourable position. Rideau, Bank, Somerset-Wellington-Richmond, Main are not as developed as Elgin. There are a lot of large, vacant lots creating gaps along the street in neighbourhoods where developers probably feel they stand a better chance of selling units (well, not Somerset), and if storefronts are occupied they're not necessary the sort of businesses that make an area exciting. Kitchissippi does not have the density Centretown has, yet being so desirable developers can create more housing for people interested in living there. As well, they wouldn't have to demolish much other than a small automechanic building or gas station. Bank Street has larger lots on or near enough that a new building would fill gaps with stores and more people, making it much more vibrant (the condos building in the last 5 years have really helped to transform the dingy strip).

That doesn't mean we won't see something being built on Elgin, as we do have some spots that could be demolished to make way for something else. But considering there are better options elsewhere and Elgin is already great, no need to mess with what works. I'm fine with a lowrise street like Elgin, and you wouldn't want to anger Knox Church again.