Ideas/Visions for Ottawa, Canada's Capital

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

That would be an environmental disaster, and anything built there would become a sitting duck if a catastrophic flood event occurred...

I don't recommend any construction on the riverfront except in elevated locations as a result.

You mean Kitchissippi's idea would be a disaster? Do we ever have much flooding from the Ottawa river? I know we've had years where the water was abnormally low that you could walk out quite far from shore.

Maybe it wouldn't work in Ottawa or maybe it would. The waters in the St. Lawrence Seaway are much deeper, but in the '50s and '60s Montreal used their displaced soils from digging the metro and built the archipelago on which Expo 67 (now Jean Drapeau Park and La Ronde) and Habitation 67 sit.

[eemy]

The Ottawa River is dam controlled, which greatly reduces flooding risk. That's not to say it's impossible, but it is far less likely.

[Kitchissippi]

Here's another one of my photshopped fantasies...

I find it really unfortunate that the Chateau Laurier turns its back on Major's Hill Park. It's sort of a missed opportunity that they've put an ugly parking garage between the hotel and the park:



Most châteaux in France have a "domaine", and there could be a really nice symbiotic relationship between the Chateau Laurier and Majors Hill Park. All the parking would be put in a new underground garage and a new addition to the hotel built on top to finish its backside. The enclosed courtyard could have a nice outdoor pool and garden. The hotel would be allowed to slightly encroach on the park and in turn provide amenities and animate the space. There would be a terrace with sweeping views of the park and Parliament Hill, and restaurant/cafe patios that can be accessed from the park. I imagine a similar situation between the Chateau Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace in Quebec City.

[Richard Eade]

Kitchissippi, please forward that idea to some-one, nae, everyone at the NCC and Fairmont Hotels. (Or, which-ever company now owns the Chateau Laurier.) We need more hotel space in downtown and I have always thought that closing the box of the Chateau would be a great idea. I don't think of it as encroaching on the park, so much as creating a presentable face to it.

The parking needn't actually be below grade. It would be possible to have the first two floors of the addition as a re-designed parking structure with the 'hotel' above that. So, the podium you show, complete with the terrace atop, could contain parking.

And maybe we should be setting up that antique merry-go-round in Colonel's Hill Park to help animate the place between Canada Days. (I know, the park is named after the Major who came in to 'save the day', but it was once named for the Colonel who actually did the bulk of the work. I like to give credit where credit is due.)

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Here's another one of my photshopped fantasies...

I find it really unfortunate that the Chateau Laurier turns its back on Major's Hill Park. It's sort of a missed opportunity that they've put an ugly parking garage between the hotel and the park:



Most châteaux in France have a "domaine", and there could be a really nice symbiotic relationship between the Chateau Laurier and Majors Hill Park. All the parking would be put in a new underground garage and a new addition to the hotel built on top to finish its backside. The enclosed courtyard could have a nice outdoor pool and garden. The hotel would be allowed to slightly encroach on the park and in turn provide amenities and animate the space. There would be a terrace with sweeping views of the park and Parliament Hill, and restaurant/cafe patios that can be accessed from the park. I imagine a similar situation between the Chateau Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace in Quebec City.

Impressive vision there!

[MoreTrains]

Amazing photoshopping there! And this idea... vision must be realized! The terrace could hold an upscale cafe which would have the best views in the city. Adding in a removable canopy with heaters would make it possible to have those views year round. It would also, for say... 2017 provide much needed income to the owners, and much needed hotel spaces. And I am sure, with the number of government officials visiting from foriegn countries the additional rooms would be quite lucrative. Please tell me with was forwarded to the NCC and owners!

[Kitchissippi]

I just cut-and-paste available elements, but conceptually I was thinking of how the Château de Chambord has a very distinctive front and back that are equally impressive to enter. The Chateau Laurier should look like it "owns" that park instead of being a mere obstacle to walk around to get to and from Parliament Hill and the Byword Market.

[JM1]

Awesome idea Kitchissippi! I guess their parking would need to go underground. But I love it. My only quibble is that the terrasse should "lean out" a bit to improve the views of Gatineau (that pulp and paper mill won't be there forever).

The façade of the new wing of Chateau Laurier would never be built in the same style though. People now expect hotels to have bigger windows. But nonetheless, excellent work.

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Here's another one of my photshopped fantasies...

I find it really unfortunate that the Chateau Laurier turns its back on Major's Hill Park. It's sort of a missed opportunity that they've put an ugly parking garage between the hotel and the park:

Most châteaux in France have a "domaine", and there could be a really nice symbiotic relationship between the Chateau Laurier and Majors Hill Park. All the parking would be put in a new underground garage and a new addition to the hotel built on top to finish its backside. The enclosed courtyard could have a nice outdoor pool and garden. The hotel would be allowed to slightly encroach on the park and in turn provide amenities and animate the space. There would be a terrace with sweeping views of the park and Parliament Hill, and restaurant/cafe patios that can be accessed from the park. I imagine a similar situation between the Chateau Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace in Quebec City.

[J.OT13]

Well done on the photoshopping. A better relationship with the park and elimination of the parking garage (underground or in a well designed podium) would do wonders. I would however suggest a clean glass addition to avoid faux-historicism that has failed time and time again.

Bonus would be that the Château Laurier would once again be the largest in the city.

[kevinbottawa]

I thought I was good at photoshop. That's some amazing work, Kitchissippi! Your visions for the city over the past few years have been amazing. Still remember the one along the canal next to the old Union Station.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Well done on the photoshopping. A better relationship with the park and elimination of the parking garage (underground or in a well designed podium) would do wonders. I would however suggest a clean glass addition to avoid faux-historicism that has failed time and time again.

Bonus would be that the Château Laurier would once again be the largest in the city.

I feel even a glass box would compromise it. Why not extend the park in between the building, sort of like Trinity College at UofT (except it wouldn't be enclosed on all sides)? This would be a good outdoor space for people staying or even for hotel functions, and could tie it into the greener of the park.

That being said, amazing photoshopping skills!

[Urbanarchit]

This proposal is for Somerset Square and the property east of it. I could not disable just the two blocks, so you have to imagine that Somerset Square is expanded out to the western edge of the building.

My understanding is the lots on Bayview could allow three 6-storey buildings or two plus a 9-storey building at the intersection if it's declared a "gateway intersection"

My proposal is similar to the Landmarks Building designation, except the developer would be given a height increase in exchange for:

1. Giving up freedom over chosing architect
2. Giving public square over to city

The design of the building would truly be a landmark building, as it would be open to an international design competition where the most interesting design would be chosen. The developer would have a vote, as would the city and residents on the 3 best options. The designs would not just include the tower, but Somerset Square as well (which the city would be responsible for building, maybe using Section 37 funds). There would be several restrictions:

1. Ground-floor retail on most sides, perhaps including the 2nd floor
2. Tower-on-podium articulation with minimum of 1 setback (podium can be 3-4 stories, tower would be slimmer)
3. Car parking would be reduced to 25-33% of units, 2-3 bike parking spaces
4. Vehicular access would be limited to Wellington or Bayview
5. No visible mechanical roof
6. Sustainable design

The podium would contain retail and office space, which could allow for real-estate, dentist/doctors offices, pharmacy, banks on upper floors.

Parking would be unnecessary for this project due to it's location. It is within a 5-minute walk to Bayview LRT station, #2 right outside the front door, hopefully segregated bikelanes at some point, and within a highly-walkable neighbourhood that should see developments a stone's throw away. This could reduce traffic associated with this project and make it more pleasant for people passing by.

Instead of allowing the developer to choose how the public square will be designed and restrict its usage, the developer has to give it over to the city to design and build so that it is free to use by everyone. The Gilmour/O'Connor proposal would see a "public" space resemble that of Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel and Residence which is really just a parking lot and drop-off zone. The space given to the park would be from the western wall behind Dirienzo's automotive shop. Spadina would be closed and the square would be enlarged and redesigned to be more open, comfortable/ enjoyable, and more interesting. This space would be completely publicly-owned.

The building's main entrance could even open onto the park itself.

Height would be maximum 25, but ideally 20 floors - which is represented in the above image. It would be in good company with existing and proposed buildings nearby, as well as with the redevelopment of Bayview, City Centre, Scott, Tunney's Pasture, and the warehouse site.

I think these reasons would be more favourable to potential developers to build a great addition to their portfolio and its location would be easier to sell. This would be a good opportunity to improve the public realm of Hintonburg and improve on a park that has a lot of potential while intensifying the neighbourhood with excellent examples of exciting, contemporary architecture.

[Trans Canada]

Wow that's an awesome Chateau Laurier vision.

Anyone have any info on the proposal to expand the hotel in 2000?

Château Laurier Hotel: a 100-year timeline
OTTAWA CITIZEN 05.24.2012
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Ch%C3%A2teau+Laurier+Hotel+year+timeline/6679721/story.html

2000: Expansion that would have added 160 rooms to the rear of the building overlooking Major’s Hill Park is cancelled.

[Urbanarchit]

I couldn't figure out the actual height limits for each property, so I went with ideal heights or with what was currently in the area. I would hope most of these buildings would be residential with retail at the base.

The Kent/Queen building would be the new library with rooftop garden, and some residences beside it.

I'm really into the idea of the parking garage between Slater and Laurier to be two, slim residential towers. The laneway from the current parkade to Laurier would be a pedestrian zone with retail along it, opening onto a redeveloped public plaza in front of the Slater.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Here's another one of my photshopped fantasies...

That's lovely!

Too bad in Ottawa it'd be shouted down because of "overlook".

[J.OT13]

Thanks defishel. Nicely done! The addition of a little more height than the current restrictions would do wonders to the current skyline.

[Arcologist]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Here's a totally frivolous but fun concept (so don't be hatin'). The idea of freeing the Chaudieres Falls has been bandied about in the past. It probably would wreak havoc with the river levels and take out the the power generating functions, so building a weir type dam farther back and channelling the water could sort of restore the natural look of the falls while retaining the current spillways.

I've also regurgitated the fun idea of expanding Lemieux island for permanent amusement park like La Ronde, and moved the arena into LeBreton along with some dense development

Great concept, thanks for sharing!!

I still think the CTC would fit better if it were sitting overtop of the Bayview O-Train / Confederation Line transfer station.

[Arcologist]

I never read this thread until this morning, and love all the ideas/concepts people have posted!

(I wish I was that good with Photoshop!)

One thing I think Ottawa needs more of are fountains. There are so few in Ottawa...

[J.OT13]

Fountains go a long way to make a bland park and/or public space into something more enjoyable.

[Buggys]

Too much maintenance for our cold winters.