Claridge Icon [505 Preston St] | 143m | 45 fl | Completed

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Boxster

There is perhaps a reason there is currently no hotel in the area.....doubt there will ever be a demand from the business sector or the tourism side.

With Little Italy, Dow's Lake and the Tulip Festival and others, I think this would be a great place for a hotel, even more so if they opt to extend the O-Train to the airport. The demand for office space on the other hand might be stagnant for the next 5-10 years.

[Boxster]

Tourism in Canada is not enough to sustain a hotel unless you are for example in Niagara Falls, Quebec city or the BC Rockies.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

With Little Italy, Dow's Lake and the Tulip Festival and others, I think this would be a great place for a hotel, even more so if they opt to extend the O-Train to the airport. The demand for office space on the other hand might be stagnant for the next 5-10 years.

[rocketphish]

What parking costs

December 11, 2013. 10:35 pm • Section: City Hall
Posted by: David Reevely

Claridge’s Flash-based site for its big Icon tower at the foot of Preston Street defies linking, but in the FAQ section they say they’re charging $35,000 extra if you want your condo to come with a parking spot. They have an improbably deep garage to build first — nine storeys down — and that probably has something to do with it. Still … they think people will pay $35k for a parking spot.

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/12/11/what-parking-costs/

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

What parking costs

December 11, 2013. 10:35 pm • Section: City Hall
Posted by: David Reevely

Claridge’s Flash-based site for its big Icon tower at the foot of Preston Street defies linking, but in the FAQ section they say they’re charging $35,000 extra if you want your condo to come with a parking spot. They have an improbably deep garage to build first — nine storeys down — and that probably has something to do with it. Still … they think people will pay $35k for a parking spot.

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/12/11/what-parking-costs/

This is now a standard price all around town for a parking spot. Seems like they should be selling a bit cheaper than in the Market, but on the other hand the location means more people will have cars.

[Harley613]

If this area is built up the way the developers envision (Condo city, revitalized Preston, a possible 'Distillery District' clone) I can see these spots maintaining their value @ 35k. I don't think that it should be any cheaper here than in the market.

[ThaLoveDocta]

Originally Posted by Harley613

If this area is built up the way the developers envision (Condo city, revitalized Preston, a possible 'Distillery District' clone) I can see these spots maintaining their value @ 35k. I don't think that it should be any cheaper here than in the market.

Agreed, and that price isn't really off base.
Going rate 2-3 years ago was 29-31k.

Seems parking is a wise investment! HA!

[Boxster]

The count still stands at a huge 28 units.

Originally Posted by Boxster

LATEST SALES UPDATE



Total of 320 units
Sold 28 units (of which 15 are of the same Pacino model)
If the math is right, that is not quite 9%
Not impressive by all means.

With the revised fllor plans, there are only 46 units (excl Penthouses) over 1,000 sq ft!!!

The following provides all the details (best summary of availability/price I have ever seen):

http://claridgeicon.com/uploads/icon-availability.pdf

[lenderonabender]

Originally Posted by Boxster

The count still stands at a huge 28 units.

That was as of September/2013 month end (Source: PMA Brethour). There are apparently 8 more sales in place as of November/2013 month end

There is absolutely no doubt that this project will be in the marketing phase for a long time, however, Claridge likely has the wherewithal to see something play out at this particular site. They paid $9MM for the land so low-rise isn't really an option here (Source: http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/newsletters/2012/may2012.php)

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by lenderonabender

That was as of September/2013 month end (Source: PMA Brethour). There are apparently 8 more sales in place as of November/2013 month end

There is absolutely no doubt that this project will be in the marketing phase for a long time, however, Claridge likely has the wherewithal to see something play out at this particular site. They paid $9MM for the land so low-rise isn't really an option here (Source: http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/newsletters/2012/may2012.php)

God, it'll feel like loading a page online by the time it gets built. You're so excited to visit this website, you can't wait to see what it says. But it's taking forever to load... 10%. 12% 13%. By the time you get to 100% you're tired and so over it; you just say, "Whatever, I've moved on."

45-stories, yay! But by that point will people still care, especially if we have other, better buildings up?

[lenderonabender]

Originally Posted by defishel

45-stories, yay! But by that point will people still care, especially if we have other, better buildings up?

i'd revert back to S-Man's earlier post:

Originally Posted by S-Man

However, going tall in places and having architecture that 'rises above' fulfills another desire of urban living, which is that of 'presence' - visual markers/symbols that can be seen from a distance. People like walking along well-manicured streets, but they also like to have a skyline.

as far as "better" buildings (better designed? better priced? better located?) other than SOHO Champagne there isn't much actually being marketed in this area. there are a lot of new sites proposed, however, none are out of the gate and selling units. whether Claridge is catering to the market, or trying to create a market, only time will tell.

[AndrewSerre_RE]

While I love tall buildings and feel Ottawa needs more, the architecture needs to be right. And I find the tower to be a little overbearing which might be one reason people are hesitant to buy there.

[Boxster]

34 as of today based on their website. Guess they are really in need of speedy updates....unless they do not count conditional offers.

Originally Posted by lenderonabender

That was as of September/2013 month end (Source: PMA Brethour). There are apparently 8 more sales in place as of November/2013 month end

There is absolutely no doubt that this project will be in the marketing phase for a long time, however, Claridge likely has the wherewithal to see something play out at this particular site. They paid $9MM for the land so low-rise isn't really an option here (Source: http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/newsletters/2012/may2012.php)

[JackBauer24]

Builders usually don't include conditional sales in their numbers since they are, well, conditional and can fall apart.

Originally Posted by Boxster

34 as of today based on their website. Guess they are really in need of speedy updates....unless they do not count conditional offers.

[waterloowarrior]

from http://www.cgarchitect.com/members/view/matthewhallett

[EdFromOttawa]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

from http://www.cgarchitect.com/members/view/matthewhallett

Beauty. Get the shovels in the ground!

[Urbanarchit]

There's no colour in it, I noticed. I like the new renderings more - the podium looks like it works with the rest of the building now in design.

I would actually say this is one of the better-looking buildings in Ottawa, if this ever happens.

[rocketphish]

Better. They got rid of those extremely out-of-place 4-story tall columns that looked like they were holding the whole thing up. It has a better sense of whole now.

[Boxster]

Nice building BUT definitely a case of form over function when looking at the balconies.

The round shape makes it extremely difficult to put anything on them.

Originally Posted by defishel

There's no colour in it, I noticed. I like the new renderings more - the podium looks like it works with the rest of the building now in design.

I would actually say this is one of the better-looking buildings in Ottawa, if this ever happens.

[JackBauer24]

Balconies are almost always a waste of space. Unless it has a gas bbq outlet or it's large enough to put a patio set, there is really no reason for it. I get that it's convenient for smokers and some people just need to be able to access the outdoors, but when you can hardly put a couple of chairs out on most of them, my feeling is that the square feet would be much more effective if they were interior rather than exterior.

Originally Posted by Boxster

Nice building BUT definitely a case of form over function when looking at the balconies.

The round shape makes it extremely difficult to put anything on them.

[Boxster]

Agree with you that some balconies are too small to be usefull.

In this case, because of size, the 40th floor and up balconies could of been usefull except for the way they have them curving in and out.....

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Balconies are almost always a waste of space. Unless it has a gas bbq outlet or it's large enough to put a patio set, there is really no reason for it. I get that it's convenient for smokers and some people just need to be able to access the outdoors, but when you can hardly put a couple of chairs out on most of them, my feeling is that the square feet would be much more effective if they were interior rather than exterior.