Quote:
Originally Posted by J.OT13
I've never been to Calgary but from what I have seen on Google Maps and pictures, it already looks well kept compared to Ottawa and Montreal (shitty reclad jobs, poor street interaction, so on and so forth). Was it confirmed exactly which ones would be renovated? As far as I know only the TO flagship and Vancouver have been overhauled so far. Any news on that eyesore in Edmonton or the Winnipeg store or Montreal for that matter?
I hope that based on the three reasons mentioned, they will go all out with Ottawa; rip out the orange panels on George, gut the interior while keeping any historic detailing or materials (ever seen the windows and hard wood floors on the top floor), make it less choppy, have Saks (if the will of a store in Ottawa exists) take up its own building between Chapters and the main Freiman Building (taller, narrow portion) so that it is sort of its own store...
And to give my version of answers to eternallyme;
a) It would hurt the chances of Sparks becoming a high class retail destination but give it a chance to become another restaurant/bar district/entertainment district. It might also kill Holt Renfrew if they can't find space on Rideau. On a positive note, it could encourage more people from the CBD to go shopping after work by having a shopping district that rivals (somewhat) the other big cities. The subway will also have a part in a new culture of not heading home after work.
b) Short walk from the Rideau shopping district and the subway, it could be a prime spot to catch a show in one of many theatres after work. The "theatre district" will also benefit from an increased population living in condo towers and depending on the quality of these new developments (Claridge Plaza or Beth Shalom), we may also see the shopping district head further down Rideau.
I said it before and I'll say it again, burying truck traffic under King Edward would do wonders in making Rideau "usable" and attractive for quality redevelopment all the way down to the Cummings Bridge and up and down King Eds.
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I agree there, the CBD would definitely lose out on middle to upper-level shopping, especially on Sparks Street (although the restaurants would still be very popular both with tourists and employees in the area - it's a pretty long walk from Rideau Street to the western part of the CBD), and some of their retailers might just decide to move to lower Rideau (i.e. east of King Edward) if a rent deal is made. Presumably rents would be lower, at least initially, on the eastern part of Rideau as well. I would definitely expect Holt Renfrew to relocate or close, there is just no way it would survive at 240 Sparks. Many other similar-level retailers in the area would have the same fate. Sparks Street would basically be a western extension of Elgin Street in a sense (between the government-focused Wellington and the mixed government/business buildings on Queen, Albert, Slater and Laurier).
Bank Street may not be hit as hard, since very few retail chains exist along it and the retail scene there is a lot more specialized, especially south of Laurier.
The truck tunnel would be a HUGE improvement and make it highly attractive, I agree! Also if they ever build a light rail subway under Rideau Street, that would also go a long way towards development opportunities.
As for Sussex Drive? I think they would actually benefit, especially if signed well. They would be just around the corner and would provide their own specialty - and locally-owned - businesses. Maybe a retail mecca would start at the National Gallery, work around Rideau Street and back to King Edward (splitting apart there)?
The biggest loser? The suburbs. I think suburban regional malls would take a serious hit if everything sets up around Rideau Street. They will simply put be squeezed out between the super-regional Rideau area and the community shopping areas/malls.
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