Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service 1.0

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by McC

Once upon a time this was to be Place de Ville Phase III, planned for 3 19-storey office towers. Brookfield put that plan on ice when they put forward the proposal to replace the PdeV Podium building with a 19-storey tower (which is now also on ice.). So far as I know, that lot is still owned by Brookfield.

Ahh. You are correct. According to Wikipedia:

Brookfield also owns a large surface parking lot taking up half a block across Kent Street from Place de Ville phase I that could see construction of over half a million square feet of office space. The parking lot will be partially closed during the construction of the Confederation Line to allow the builders to use the lot as a staging area and a central point from which to dig the downtown subway portion of the system.

I am not sure why replacing an existing (albeit small) building would take priority over building on a practically vacant lot, but I guess much of the Podium is unused because of the theatre inside it.

[PHrenetic]

Good Day.

Caution as to which parking lot we are discussing -

the lot across Queen from 235 Queen (C.D.Howe bldg), across Kent from PdV Ph.1,
where the present C-Line access shaft and staging area is located, which was going to have been PdV next phase until <insert proviso here>.

.vs.

the L-shaped lot beside GluePotPub abd Barbarella's, the northern corner of which has the new western entrance for Lyon stn., across Lyon from the Delta Hotel , and the rest of the parking lot is off Albert, which indeed has someone owning it with plans for a tower (which has altered several iterations since purchase, but I believe not PdV),
(which had been going to be used for the construction shaft and staging for the original C-Line along Albert/Slater, but all got re-configured).

Aware!

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by PHrenetic

Good Day.

Caution as to which parking lot we are discussing -

the lot across Queen from 235 Queen (C.D.Howe bldg), across Kent from PdV Ph.1,
where the present C-Line access shaft and staging area is located, which was going to have been PdV next phase until <insert proviso here>.

This is the one we have been discussing.

I found an interesting video of a walk through of the Place de Ville underground shopping complex which shows the hording covering the Lyon station east entrance. I suspect the LRT station will pump new life into the complex. I actually wasn't aware that you can gain access to the mall from the Delta Hotel across the street. I will have to do some exploring of my own sometime.

• Video Link

.vs.

the L-shaped lot beside GluePotPub abd Barbarella's, the northern corner of which has the new western entrance for Lyon stn., across Lyon from the Delta Hotel , and the rest of the parking lot is off Albert, which indeed has someone owning it with plans for a tower (which has altered several iterations since purchase, but I believe not PdV),
(which had been going to be used for the construction shaft and staging for the original C-Line along Albert/Slater, but all got re-configured).

I did mention this one as well. I believe Claridge Homes plan to eventually build something here that will be integrated with the LRT station, but that might have changed.

[OtrainUser]

Originally Posted by roger1818

This is the one we have been discussing.

I found an interesting video of a walk through of the Place de Ville underground shopping complex which shows the hording covering the Lyon station east entrance. I suspect the LRT station will pump new life into the complex. I actually wasn't aware that you can gain access to the mall from the Delta Hotel across the street. I will have to do some exploring of my own sometime.

• Video Link



I did mention this one as well. I believe Claridge Homes plan to eventually build something here that will be integrated with the LRT station, but that might have changed.

Last time I was there it was a few years ago during the day and it was busy then

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by roger1818

This is the one we have been discussing.

I found an interesting video of a walk through of the Place de Ville underground shopping complex which shows the hording covering the Lyon station east entrance. I suspect the LRT station will pump new life into the complex. I actually wasn't aware that you can gain access to the mall from the Delta Hotel across the street. I will have to do some exploring of my own sometime.

Good Day.

yep - just making everybody sure.

And yes - the Delta access is on the Queen St. side, behind the Tim's, an escalator and staircase sloping eastward down to the tunnels under Queen.
The Marriott also has an elevator bank (and a staircase behind innocuous doors) accessible from the underground level to their lobby.

EnJoy exploring.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by OtrainUser

Last time I was there it was a few years ago during the day and it was busy then

I suspect it is busy during the day when those working in the attached towers (the captive audience) are on their breaks but shuts down once they all go home, as there is nothing to draw them to the mall. The LRT will attract people into the mall at all times of day (including evenings and weekends), making it worthwhile for existing retailers to extend their hours and attract new, better retailers. With more and better retailers in the mall, it make it more attractive, drawing more people to it.

It won't become a Rideau Centre or anything like that, but it can't help but liven up a part of town that currently goes to sleep at 5:00.

[Vixx]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I suspect it is busy during the day when those working in the attached towers (the captive audience) are on their breaks but shuts down once they all go home, as there is nothing to draw them to the mall. The LRT will attract people into the mall at all times of day (including evenings and weekends), making it worthwhile for existing retailers to extend their hours and attract new, better retailers. With more and better retailers in the mall, it make it more attractive, drawing more people to it.

It won't become a Rideau Centre or anything like that, but it can't help but liven up a part of town that currently goes to sleep at 5:00.

I'd say that's accurate. I remember two occasions (which were quite awhile ago now) when I was there, once in the early afternoon and it was plenty busy. Another time I was there in the early evening and it was an absolute deadzone.

Hopefully some new life will be breathed into the area when LRT is up and going and the place can get a facelift.

Also, this might be unpopular opinion, but I really don't mind the design of the RBC building on Sparks. I agree the street interaction is very poor, but I can think of far uglier buildings downtown then the RBC one.

[AndyMEng]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I suspect it is busy during the day when those working in the attached towers (the captive audience) are on their breaks but shuts down once they all go home, as there is nothing to draw them to the mall. The LRT will attract people into the mall at all times of day (including evenings and weekends), making it worthwhile for existing retailers to extend their hours and attract new, better retailers. With more and better retailers in the mall, it make it more attractive, drawing more people to it.

It won't become a Rideau Centre or anything like that, but it can't help but liven up a part of town that currently goes to sleep at 5:00.

Not to be cynical, but the hypothetical conversation in my head went something like this:

Kanata, 5:30pm, Spring, 2019:
"Honey, why don't we hop on octranspo and head downtown to the mall?"
"Sure, dear, sounds like fun!"
1.5 hours, one car drive, and three transfers later
"Oooo Honey, this underground tunnel mall sure is good for after-work hours shopping, I'm so glad we came all the way downtown for the pharmacy and flower shop! Shall we have Subway for dinner *wink wink* pun intended?" - said nobody ever.

The only thing this 'mall' has going for it is that the tower workers will now walk through it 100% of the time, instead of only during the winter. At 5:30 this will eternally be a ghost town until the government and city get their act together and start mixed-using the neighbourhood. There is literally nothing in the vicinity of this train station that will attract people outside of business hours, unless you're staying at the Delta and wanted to travel to the Gloucester Centre, definitely itself a hive of touristic attractions.

OR if you live at Tunney's Pasture and wanted to visit Baton Rouge for a steak before heading to either Swizzles for karaoke or Barbarellas (depending on your persuasion) on Saturday before tapping out before midnight so you don't miss your transfer home. I suppose a pizza joint open in the 'mall' would come in handy in this situation. (Note that I've listed 100% of the open for business on weekends businesses in the area).

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Vixx

I'd say that's accurate. I remember two occasions (which were quite awhile ago now) when I was there, once in the early afternoon and it was plenty busy. Another time I was there in the early evening and it was an absolute deadzone.

Hopefully some new life will be breathed into the area when LRT is up and going and the place can get a facelift.

Also, this might be unpopular opinion, but I really don't mind the design of the RBC building on Sparks. I agree the street interaction is very poor, but I can think of far uglier buildings downtown then the RBC one.

I don't think the building is ugly either, just the street interaction could be much better. Unfortunately, how can this ever be fixed?

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by AndyMEng

Not to be cynical, but the hypothetical conversation in my head went something like this:

Kanata, 5:30pm, Spring, 2019:
"Honey, why don't we hop on octranspo and head downtown to the mall?"
"Sure, dear, sounds like fun!"
1.5 hours, one car drive, and three transfers later
"Oooo Honey, this underground tunnel mall sure is good for after-work hours shopping, I'm so glad we came all the way downtown for the pharmacy and flower shop! Shall we have Subway for dinner *wink wink* pun intended?" - said nobody ever.

The only thing this 'mall' has going for it is that the tower workers will now walk through it 100% of the time, instead of only during the winter. At 5:30 this will eternally be a ghost town until the government and city get their act together and start mixed-using the neighbourhood. There is literally nothing in the vicinity of this train station that will attract people outside of business hours, unless you're staying at the Delta and wanted to travel to the Gloucester Centre, definitely itself a hive of touristic attractions.

OR if you live at Tunney's Pasture and wanted to visit Baton Rouge for a steak before heading to either Swizzles for karaoke or Barbarellas (depending on your persuasion) on Saturday before tapping out before midnight so you don't miss your transfer home. I suppose a pizza joint open in the 'mall' would come in handy in this situation. (Note that I've listed 100% of the open for business on weekends businesses in the area).

A dose of realism here.

The old fashioned 'upper town' portion of downtown really has little to offer to keep people there in the evenings. Maybe, a restaurant scene will develop, but it will be hard to compete with the market and Elgin which already has the advantage of being surrounded with condos, apartments and homes.

How do we kick-start that sterile area? Obviously, building more condos will help. We need more destinations between Elgin and Bronson. I imagine that Parliament and Lyon stations will be pretty dead after 6 p.m.

[OtrainUser]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

A dose of realism here.

The old fashioned 'upper town' portion of downtown really has little to offer to keep people there in the evenings. Maybe, a restaurant scene will develop, but it will be hard to compete with the market and Elgin which already has the advantage of being surrounded with condos, apartments and homes.

How do we kick-start that sterile area? Obviously, building more condos will help. We need more destinations between Elgin and Bronson. I imagine that Parliament and Lyon stations will be pretty dead after 6 p.m.

Place Du Portage is already like this but the difference is it goes dead after 2pm which is absurd i find since i like using that mall since its walking distance from where i live. I guess government workers matter more then the rest of us to these people.

[Vixx]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I don't think the building is ugly either, just the street interaction could be much better. Unfortunately, how can this ever be fixed?

Good question, there is no simple solution and there won't be for a very long time, if ever.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by OtrainUser

Place Du Portage is already like this but the difference is it goes dead after 2pm which is absurd i find since i like using that mall since its walking distance from where i live. I guess government workers matter more then the rest of us to these people.

I guess they are bulk of the business right now. There are not enough local residents to keep the place active later in the day.

[OtrainUser]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I guess they are bulk of the business right now. There are not enough local residents to keep the place active later in the day.

Which is weird since it is also open on Saturdays when there are no government workers working on the weekends.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by AndyMEng

Not to be cynical, but the hypothetical conversation in my head went something like this:

Kanata, 5:30pm, Spring, 2019:
"Honey, why don't we hop on octranspo and head downtown to the mall?"
"Sure, dear, sounds like fun!"
1.5 hours, one car drive, and three transfers later
"Oooo Honey, this underground tunnel mall sure is good for after-work hours shopping, I'm so glad we came all the way downtown for the pharmacy and flower shop! Shall we have Subway for dinner *wink wink* pun intended?" - said nobody ever.

The only thing this 'mall' has going for it is that the tower workers will now walk through it 100% of the time, instead of only during the winter. At 5:30 this will eternally be a ghost town until the government and city get their act together and start mixed-using the neighbourhood. There is literally nothing in the vicinity of this train station that will attract people outside of business hours, unless you're staying at the Delta and wanted to travel to the Gloucester Centre, definitely itself a hive of touristic attractions.

OR if you live at Tunney's Pasture and wanted to visit Baton Rouge for a steak before heading to either Swizzles for karaoke or Barbarellas (depending on your persuasion) on Saturday before tapping out before midnight so you don't miss your transfer home. I suppose a pizza joint open in the 'mall' would come in handy in this situation. (Note that I've listed 100% of the open for business on weekends businesses in the area).

I suspect that will change with the opening of the LRT.
More residential units will get opened near the LRT.
More restaurants will locate downtown and take advantage of not needing parking.

Ottawa might finally act like a large city. (like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver)

[acottawa]

Why do we expect the food court of an office building to be vibrant after hours? Most office building food courts in most cities are dead outside of office hours.

[OtrainUser]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Why do we expect the food court of an office building to be vibrant after hours? Most office building food courts in most cities are dead outside of office hours.

There are lots of condos in the same area and there are people like me who live close by.

Place Du Portage does get busy on Saturdays even though there are no government workers working that day

Now if Place de Ville had more residential and condo units nearby like Place du Centre at Place du Portage does then it would be busier beyond regular office hours.

[bikegypsy]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

I suspect that will change with the opening of the LRT.
More residential units will get opened near the LRT.
More restaurants will locate downtown and take advantage of not needing parking.

Ottawa might finally act like a large city. (like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver)

Being that Confederation will be one of Canada's busiest rapid mass transit lines, I think that most people will be shocked on day 1. The way that the Transitway was structured with hundreds of buses going through downtown every hour didn't convey the feeling of a large city for the user.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I don't think the building is ugly either, just the street interaction could be much better. Unfortunately, how can this ever be fixed?

Controlled demolition, mostly.

Although, yes, as bad to me as the DaRBCy McGee building is, the Manulife thing on the other side of Queen... yeesh. All opaque mirror and loading docks.

[OtrainUser]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Controlled demolition, mostly.

Although, yes, as bad to me as the DaRBCy McGee building is, the Manulife thing on the other side of Queen... yeesh. All opaque mirror and loading docks.

It doesn't need to be demolished. Cities like Toronto or even New York have even bigger buildings than that one and I never hear about anyone complain about them like people do about our buildings