History Ottawa (Live Nation venue) [47 Rideau St] | U/C

[phil235]

Mid-sized concert venue?

[huntclub]

Better be a concert venue in the 1,500-2,500 range. I’m tired of driving to Montreal and Toronto constantly to see concerts.

[rocketphish]

Event space in former Chapters would make ByWard Market a ‘more active district,’ group says

David Sali, OBJ
January 26, 2024 3:59 PM ET

A proposed events centre at the former Chapters bookstore on Rideau Street could be a springboard to revitalizing the downtown core and making the neighbourhood a more “active district” for visitors, the head of the new organization that oversees the ByWard Market says.

The National Capital Commission, which now owns the building at 47-57 Rideau St., said Thursday it is negotiating with a group in the “hospitality and entertainment industry” that wants to lease the 60,000-square-foot space at the gateway to the Market and convert it into an events venue.

While NCC chief executive Tobi Nussbaum offered few specifics about the potential tenant or the proposal because talks are still ongoing, the idea of turning the vacant, two-storey heritage building into some sort of a public gathering space has struck a chord with downtown business advocates.

“From our perspective, I think it’s a strong signal that people are interested and do see value in the future of this district,” Zachary Dayler, the executive director of the ByWard Market District Authority, said Friday.

<more>

https://obj.ca/event-space-would-mak...ct-group-says/

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by huntclub

Better be a concert venue in the 1,500-2,500 range. I’m tired of driving to Montreal and Toronto constantly to see concerts.

Isn't that the capacity of the NAC? Mere steps from there. TD Place is larger but can of course host most of those events as well. A more nightclub format could attract different acts but even 52 events a year for that seems optimistic. As if NCC is considering that anyway.

[huntclub]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Isn't that the capacity of the NAC? Mere steps from there. TD Place is larger but can of course host most of those events as well. A more nightclub format could attract different acts but even 52 events a year for that seems optimistic. As if NCC is considering that anyway.

NAC is a very elegant venue that doesn’t really hold concerts unless it’s for an old band. Ottawa needs a venue like History in Toronto that Drake just built. Night club style venue that has 2,000-2,500 people that could attract shows similar to the History venue in TO or even MTELUS in Montreal. Bronson Centre is a good venue for the 900-1000 range. But Ottawa is greatly lacking in downtown concert halls in tons of capacity sizes.

[rocketphish]

Maybe they want to resurrect Le Hibou in a larger venue?

https://capitalhistory.ca/arts-and-c...cafe-le-hibou/

[SL123]

Would be nice to have a Time Out Market in that location.

[movebyleap]

Originally Posted by SL123

Would be nice to have a Time Out Market in that location.

You beat me to it! I was just about to suggest a Time Out Market! I've been to many cities where dilapidated parts of town have been brought back to life and totally revitalized thanks to a Time Out!

A theatre or small concert venue is a good idea too, but perhaps not on this corner. This would mean that the place would only be open at night or whenever there was a gig happening. Otherwise it would be shut to the street. (Much as the ex-Chapters is right now).

[phil235]

Originally Posted by SL123

Would be nice to have a Time Out Market in that location.

Great idea also. We kind of need both a food hall like that and a concert venue.

[bambam92]

Originally Posted by phil235

Great idea also. We kind of need both a food hall like that and a concert venue.

Or something like Seven Dials Market in London! If we can't get the branded version..

[movebyleap]

Originally Posted by phil235

Great idea also. We kind of need both a food hall like that and a concert venue.

We need so, so, so many things in this city!

[Badyouken]

I want a Singapore-style hawker centre! (Hey, a man can dream!)

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Badyouken

I want a Singapore-style hawker centre! (Hey, a man can dream!)

Like a lot of suggestion these are things we already have, just done better (properly). No reason we can't have that in current market space instead of low rent trinkets. NAC could be busier and more diverse. etc.


That said a new space can make the difference in a new paradigm.

[OTownandDown]

With the footprint being so large and 2 stories, there is space for at least two distinct venues, if not three.

On the Rideau Side you have an established coffee shop, which could be converted to a full scale restaurant or brewery, removing part of the 2nd storey floor and creating a balcony/loft style area. Although we seem to have lots of these already.

On the Sussex side/coming in from Sussex and opening up to George (including the nasty loading dock), you already have an open floor plan where the escalators are situated. This can be revised and opened even more, rearranged into a small amphitheater or a balcony style for shows, with the stage and back of house areas along the north-east 'wing' where all the kitchy books and kindles were marketed from, and where the load-in area already is. A bar and kitchen where the checkout and Chapters back-of-house was already located. There's just a lot of potential dead space on the 2nd floor.

How about just pickleball courts?

Honestly the combination of Inside Edge and the NCC landlording these properties doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. Their other forays into capital projects and being selective with tenants just administrates itself into a schleppy process that ends up in a heavy mess of taxpayer-borne cost and RFP requirements.

What the heck is wrong with the free market, that the government needs to strong arm themselves into our 'iconic' properties? Just butt out and let the free market reign. Although, we Ottawans have already proven that we can't carry a 2000 seat indie music venue on our own, we need the government help to carry the overhead cost, lol

[harls]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Isn't that the capacity of the NAC? Mere steps from there. TD Place is larger but can of course host most of those events as well. A more nightclub format could attract different acts but even 52 events a year for that seems optimistic. As if NCC is considering that anyway.

TD place (the arena) is like what... 6500? Most concerts and events there never quite sell out. They curtain off sections when ticket sales are low to give the illusion that it is more packed.

NCC and Nightclub in the same sentence sounds laughable.

[Badyouken]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Like a lot of suggestion these are things we already have, just done better (properly). No reason we can't have that in current market space instead of low rent trinkets. NAC could be busier and more diverse. etc.


That said a new space can make the difference in a new paradigm.

We should start by pedestrianizing the streets around the Market building (and York St around the AWATTO sign)... and yes, seek to attract better vendors.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Badyouken

We should start by pedestrianizing the streets around the Market building (and York St around the AWATTO sign)... and yes, seek to attract better vendors.

Yeah that would make the patios very attractive increasing food options but it doesn't seem like it will happen as the businesses on the other side prefer there drive up customers to a successful market that would raise all boats.

[Badyouken]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yeah that would make the patios very attractive increasing food options but it doesn't seem like it will happen as the businesses on the other side prefer there drive up customers to a successful market that would raise all boats.

There needs to be some sort of education campaign. It would be better for them...

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Badyouken

There needs to be some sort of education campaign. It would be better for them...

Certainly the furniture store, Fish Market and really all the food shops on that side are probably better off with parking. The city needs to take the inititive. There are lots of places you can pull in and buy cheese in town. That's of little value to tourists or even residents.

[Badyouken]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Certainly the furniture store, Fish Market and really all the food shops on that side are probably better off with parking. The city needs to take the inititive. There are lots of places you can pull in and buy cheese in town. That's of little value to tourists or even residents.

I don't know if they're better off with parking, honestly... The furniture store, maybe, but the food shops? That's the kind of stuff you see in (successful) pedestrian high streets all over Europe...

Anyway, I agree that the city needs to just take the initiative.

Every time I walk on York St. with out-of-towners I'm a little embarrassed at that open-air parking lot...