Relevé Ottawa [400 Albert St] | 78/98m | 23/29f | U/C

[J.OT13]

I'll try to attend the consultation. Very interested to know more. I sincerely hope this one gets approved and goes up fast before we hit another housing slump.

[Admiral Nelson]

Any reaction from someone who attended the session?

[Harley613]

Well if it was anything like any other Centretown community consultation then I would imagine it was a group of very wealthy and very old citizens whining and bitching about shadows...

[danishh]

yeah, that.

they had different main and main staff consulting on different issues (ie sustainability, retail, landscape design, architectural design, etc.

I was pleased with what they said about sustainability, but in the end this is a purpose-built rental that will eventually be sold to investors, probably institutional, or kept in main & main's portfolio. They're going to be looking at lifecycle costs which means they'll build a good building.

On retail, obviously the area needs food the most, but talking with the retail rep it sounds like an urban CDN tire is a real possibility. She has worked with CDN tire on Toronto urban stores. She also acknowledged that Claridge was putting in grocery, so I wouldnt be surprised if they skip that. Pharmacy is another priority. I hope there's food that stays open past 5pm as well.

I didnt really care about the landscape design.

Architecturally, the architect explained the lack of balconies as an energy/building performance feature, which i'm fine with. I dont think they'll have rental problems - lack of balconies is a bigger issue for condo buyers. I also asked about possible underground links to claridge/lyon station and constitution square but i got the impression that is not going to be considered.

I told councillor mckenney i support the project and it should be built immediately. I also overheard one of you guys telling her that every building in the city is 27 stories, so I know I wasnt the only SSPer there.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by danishh

yeah, that.

they had different main and main staff consulting on different issues (ie sustainability, retail, landscape design, architectural design, etc.

I was pleased with what they said about sustainability, but in the end this is a purpose-built rental that will eventually be sold to investors, probably institutional, or kept in main & main's portfolio. They're going to be looking at lifecycle costs which means they'll build a good building.

On retail, obviously the area needs food the most, but talking with the retail rep it sounds like an urban CDN tire is a real possibility. She has worked with CDN tire on Toronto urban stores. She also acknowledged that Claridge was putting in grocery, so I wouldnt be surprised if they skip that. Pharmacy is another priority. I hope there's food that stays open past 5pm as well.

I didnt really care about the landscape design.

Architecturally, the architect explained the lack of balconies as an energy/building performance feature, which i'm fine with. I dont think they'll have rental problems - lack of balconies is a bigger issue for condo buyers. I also asked about possible underground links to claridge/lyon station and constitution square but i got the impression that is not going to be considered.

I told councillor mckenney i support the project and it should be built immediately. I also overheard one of you guys telling her that every building in the city is 27 stories, so I know I wasnt the only SSPer there.

Did you get a feel for what McKenney's position might be on this project?

[danishh]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Did you get a feel for what McKenney's position might be on this project?

Not really, I think she wants affordable commitments, I argued we just need units fast. Normal centretown politics.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by danishh

Not really, I think she wants affordable commitments, I argued we just need units fast. Normal centretown politics.

So nothing against the height or design. Just the need for affordable units. That sounds fair. I doubt they will put any affordable housing in that building, but if the City could negotiate a contribution for affordable housing in exchange for the extra height, then I'm all for it. Similar to 900 Albert.

I do think the City should have in place a policy where any new development needs to have 5%-10% affordable housing (25% McKenney's pushing might not be realistic) for any new build, that is ANY, including suburban sprawl. Though I'm unsure they have that authority, but we could demand it from the province; it would be a relatively cheap policy to implement, fast-track the construction of affordable housing and reduce the burden on governments.

I don't believe purpose-built affordable housing is good policy. It increases crime rates in areas with high number of social housing and causes further social inequality issues. It's time for a modern approach.

Diane Holmes would have opposed it purely on the fact that it is over 12 floors. 12 floors: the 2000s' 27!

[FutureWickedCity]

I for one am SUPER excited about the prospect of a downtown Canadian Tire (btw I do remember the old one on Kent St but it was dingy and claustrophobic)

[phil235]

Originally Posted by FutureWickedCity

I for one am SUPER excited about the prospect of a downtown Canadian Tire (btw I do remember the old one on Kent St but it was dingy and claustrophobic)

Likewise, particularly given that Canadian Tire looks to be entirely abandoning urban Ottawa with the move from Carlin’s to Lincoln Fields.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Diane Holmes would have opposed it purely on the fact that it is over 12 floors. 12 floors: the 2000s' 27!

That's a name I've (thankfully) not heard in a long time....

[silvergate]

Originally Posted by phil235

Likewise, particularly given that Canadian Tire looks to be entirely abandoning urban Ottawa with the move from Carlin’s to Lincoln Fields.

That was not an urban location by any stretch of the imagination.

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by Harley613

That's a name I've (thankfully) not heard in a long time....

Haha, I assume you were channeling Obi Wan:



Other than Trinity Bayview, this is the most important proposed project in Ottawa. Any idea when we will find out if it gets the green light? Why did it take so long for our city to realize 40 storeys is not going to result in mass suicides or extinctions?

[AuxTown]

Just thought I would throw these into a classic Ottawa skyline vantage. I know it's not perfect but I think gives some idea the height and size of this project. Can't wait!



credit to https://www.flickr.com/photos/asifali1985/ for original shot

[FutureWickedCity]

Wicked!!! They will really stand out, almost clash, with the other tall buildings, but variety is good. Hopefully this will stimulate more interesting proposals. So happy that the tallest building we see will no longer be the big brown POS.

[AR-OTT]

Claridge Moon will also add some diversity to the skyline from this angle. Hopefully its above their usual standards in terms of quality.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by silvergate

That was not an urban location by any stretch of the imagination.

No, just an urban format store in a location that could possibly at some point maybe become more urban. It was the most accessible store for people most living in the core, soon to be replaced by a big-box format store even further out.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by phil235

No, just an urban format store in a location that could possibly at some point maybe become more urban. It was the most accessible store for people most living in the core, soon to be replaced by a big-box format store even further out.

I wouldn't say it's moving "even further out." It's moving to Carlingwood which is a transit hub and should be easier for people living in the core to get to.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by AR-OTT

Claridge Moon will also add some diversity to the skyline from this angle. Hopefully its above their usual standards in terms of quality.

I wouldn't hold your breath for that. Those towers are going to end up looking like Andaz and the lower building will not have those cool slanted supports. I can almost guarantee it because Crapridge pulls this shit time and time again. I hope to be proven wrong...

[phil235]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

I wouldn't say it's moving "even further out." It's moving to Carlingwood which is a transit hub and should be easier for people living in the core to get to.

Well, Carlingwood is geographically further from the core for those driving. And as someone living in the centre of town, I can't say that it would ever remotely register as a location that is easily accessible by transit coming from downtown.

There is a real need for a CT type store in the central part of town. It makes no sense to me that they haven't jumped on the opportunity to get into one of the new developments.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by phil235

Well, Carlingwood is geographically further from the core for those driving. And as someone living in the centre of town, I can't say that it would ever remotely register as a location that is easily accessible by transit coming from downtown.

There is a real need for a CT type store in the central part of town. It makes no sense to me that they haven't jumped on the opportunity to get into one of the new developments.

If you're right in the core, the one on Coventry is closest and is the most accessible by transit via Tremblay Station and the Max Keeping Bridge. Hoping this development will include a true urban store though.