General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[rocketphish]

There's a tower crane on the grounds of the Chinese embassy on St. Patrick St. in Lowertown right now. Has anybody heard about what's going on?

So far, I've only come up with this:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_...ssionid=73A45434AE34BA5C1987D115E1E3C62E

[Luker]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

There's a tower crane on the grounds of the Chinese embassy on St. Patrick St. in Lowertown right now. Has anybody heard about what's going on?

So far, I've only come up with this:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_...ssionid=73A45434AE34BA5C1987D115E1E3C62E

Not sure about what will take place. However, I was surprised that they had not renovated the embassy at all to project their new found wealth, prestige and power to the West and the World as the Chinese Communist Party loves to do.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

There's a tower crane on the grounds of the Chinese embassy on St. Patrick St. in Lowertown right now. Has anybody heard about what's going on?

So far, I've only come up with this:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_...ssionid=73A45434AE34BA5C1987D115E1E3C62E

Work started there last week when they cut down most of the trees at the eastern end of the property. This morning they were digging up the ground there.

[MoreTrains]

I wonder how many beer bottles they found from when I lived just across the street... Also, I have no idea where they're going to park their cars now, or where the dragons cave will move to.

[rocketphish]

It's official!

Former Quality Hotel set to become U of O residence

Robert Bostelaar, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: March 18, 2015, Last Updated: March 18, 2015 11:48 AM EDT



The University of Ottawa has confirmed it will open a student residence in the former Quality Hotel at Rideau Street and King Edward Avenue.

The 207-room residence will open in September with features not normally seen in student housing, including en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, double beds and flat-screen televisions in every room, the U of O said Wednesday.

The building has been empty since its sale in 2014 after previous owner InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust received what it said was an unsolicited offer on the property from an undisclosed buyer. The U of O denied at the time having any involvement in the purchase. On Wednesday, the university said it has a long-term agreement to lease the building.

The residence will house 414 students, most of them in first-year programs, the school said.

The U of O has been pushing to increase student housing and recently converted a former seniors’ home on Friel Street into a residence that now accommodates 400. Another 176-place residence is being built on Henderson Avenue.

[email protected]

twitter.com/robt_bostelaar

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/former-quality-hotel-set-to-become-u-of-o-residence

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

It's official!

No kitchenettes? Too bad as the Metro is just across the street.

This is also awfully close to the Market.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by Boxster

No kitchenettes? Too bad as the Metro is just across the street.

This is also awfully close to the Market.

Awfully close? Or pleasantly close? I guess the answer depends on whether you're a student in the new building or a resident of the market. Either way it will provide for more people on Rideau Street, which everyone seems to agree is good for its livelihood and safety.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Awfully close? Or pleasantly close? I guess the answer depends on whether you're a student in the new building or a resident of the market. Either way it will provide for more people on Rideau Street, which everyone seems to agree is good for its livelihood and safety.

More people all the better....but not students!

[MoreTrains]

Originally Posted by Boxster

More people all the better....but not students!

Well, thank god this isnt a permanent thing. Will only be until the University goes bankrupt or finishes its upgrades. lol

Im also curious if they expect those TVs to remain in the rooms for more than the first year?

[Radster]

Originally Posted by Boxster

More people all the better....but not students!

You do realize that if you eliminate all students in Ottawa (and Outaouais), we would be about halfway to ghost-town status? We have 2 big universities, a couple large colleges plus many other educational institutions, add to that the CEGEPS, UQO etc... Students here make up a HUGE portion of the population and local economy and most importantly they are key in giving this city the little street life that it has.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

With two residences on Rideau Street --albeit leased, not owned--and 800 students, I guess one can say that the uOttawa Campus has extended to Rideau Street. Plus a uOttawa Family Medicine and Specialities Clinic at 316 Rideau Street. Part of UO Health Services.

Here is the official university announcement and what they say about the new digs.

One, two, three! uOttawa to open a third new student residence


OTTAWA, March 18, 2015 — In keeping with its goal of increasing the number of places available in student housing, the University of Ottawa is pleased to announce that it will be opening a new 414-place residence in September 2015.

The former Quality Hotel, located at the intersection of Rideau Street and King Edward Avenue, will be converted into a new student residence featuring 207 double rooms. The new residence will be similar to regular student housing, but with additional features, such as air conditioning, double beds, full ensuite bathrooms and flat screen TVs in every room.

Located a few minutes’ walk from campus, this residence will be managed solely by the University and will welcome mostly first-year students. Residents will enjoy the unique experience of living in residence at the University of Ottawa, but will also benefit from the programs and support that the Housing Service offers in all residences, including advisors on every floor, study groups, and reception desk and security services. Students will also have access to all the campus-based resources available at the University, including mentorship, counselling and academic support services.

“The long-term lease we have signed with the building’s new owner allows us to meet our goal of adding some 1000 beds in residence for our students,” said Marc Joyal, the University of Ottawa Vice-President, Resources. “This new residence will allow us to provide more services to a greater number of uOttawa students, along with the structured and enriching experience of living in residence, which greatly eases the transition to university life and fosters academic success.”

But this is not the first time the University has transformed an existing facility into a residence: over the past several months, uOttawa has successfully converted a former senior’s home on Friel Street. The first 400 student residents, who were welcomed in September 2014, are very satisfied with their living arrangements.

With the recent opening of the residence on Friel Street, the opening of the new residence on Rideau Street in September, and the current construction of a new 172-place residence on Henderson Avenue slated to open in the fall, the University will have raised the number of places in student residences to 4,000 places, an increase in housing capacity of nearly 33% in one year.

[Boxster]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

With two residences on Rideau Street --albeit leased, not owned--and 800 students, I guess one can say that the uOttawa Campus has extended to Rideau Street. Plus a uOttawa Family Medicine and Specialities Clinic at 316 Rideau Street. Part of UO Health Services.

Here is the official university announcement and what they say about the new digs.

Where is the second on Rideau St.?

[silvergate]

Originally Posted by Radster

You do realize that if you eliminate all students in Ottawa (and Outaouais), we would be about halfway to ghost-town status? We have 2 big universities, a couple large colleges plus many other educational institutions, add to that the CEGEPS, UQO etc... Students here make up a HUGE portion of the population and local economy and most importantly they are key in giving this city the little street life that it has.

There are ~100,000 students here. Really the more the merrier

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by Boxster

Where is the second on Rideau St.?

Friel Residence--on the corner of Friel and Rideau.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

There's a tower crane on the grounds of the Chinese embassy on St. Patrick St. in Lowertown right now. Has anybody heard about what's going on?

So far, I've only come up with this:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_...ssionid=73A45434AE34BA5C1987D115E1E3C62E

Photo by me
March 19, 2015

[rocketphish]

Claude Lauzon's former Our Lady schoolhouse on Murray St. is now just a supported façade:


Photo by me
Mar 19, 2015

[citydwlr]

Noticed a few things on my outing in the Market today:

1) Empire Grill has new branding, and I think renos may have been done on the interior (can this be confirmed?).

2) Beside Empire Grill (where Timothy's Coffee was), there seems to be a new burger/shake joint called "The King Eddy".

3) Decorléans is moving into the old Phillip Van Leeuwen store.

4) The old Expedition Shoppe on York is currently being outfitted with a "Mr. Smoke" shop, selling Shishas and probably some vaping merch.


And, here's a couple things happening on Elgin:

1) The Wendys is closed and the signs have been painted black. (According to Reddit, it looks like they closed back in December)

2) The store "@Home" is now closed.

3) Izakaya closed out and a new restaurant is opening in it's place: The Waverley.

From Twitter:

The time has come. Thank you to everyone for all the support. I truly hope to see you for one last night at Kaya...

7:42 AM - 12 Mar 2015

4) Interior construction work seems to be going on above El Camino (I believe this space was formerly occupied by a spa). The space beside El Camino (formerly occupied by eRa Nightclub - i.e., 380 Elgin Street) is boarded up.

[kwoldtimer]

Is there a thread for the small condo going up at 174 Glebe Ave? Demolition on the site started this week.

[canabiz]

Originally Posted by citydwlr

Noticed a few things on my outing in the Market today:

1) Empire Grill has new branding, and I think renos may have been done on the interior (can this be confirmed?).

2) Beside Empire Grill (where Timothy's Coffee was), there seems to be a new burger/shake joint called "The King Eddy".

3) Decorléans is moving into the old Phillip Van Leeuwen store.

4) The old Expedition Shoppe on York is currently being outfitted with a "Mr. Smoke" shop, selling Shishas and probably some vaping merch.


And, here's a couple things happening on Elgin:

1) The Wendys is closed and the signs have been painted black. (According to Reddit, it looks like they closed back in December)

2) The store "@Home" is now closed.

3) Izakaya closed out and a new restaurant is opening in it's place: The Waverley.

From Twitter:


4) Interior construction work seems to be going on above El Camino (I believe this space was formerly occupied by a spa). The space beside El Camino (formerly occupied by eRa Nightclub - i.e., 380 Elgin Street) is boarded up.

I had no idea about this place (guess I should get out of Barrhaven more . Always sad to see a local business shutting down but I guess I didn't miss much, based on Urbanspoon reviews

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/250/1661935/restaurant/Centretown-Downtown/Izakaya-Ottawa

[mykl]

I live ten steps from Izakaya / future home of The Waverley. Izakaya was never terribly busy. I think Asian fusion is a dated concept, especially with their half-assed traditional Canadian brunch menu. All a bit thrown together.

The new restaurant will be by the same owner though, so hopefully they will have more success. Its certainly a great location! I'm looking forward to trying it out.