The Duchess [833 Richmond Rd] | 37m | 11f | Completed

[Jayday23]

The City of Ottawa has received a Site Plan application to permit the development of an 11-story residential building on the eastern portion of the site, with approximately 130 residential units and two levels of underground parking.

Application summary: http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Im...12-17-0135.PDF

Renderings:
http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Im...12-17-0135.PDF

[roger1818]

So they are twinning the building at 851 in the parking lot that is to the north-east of it?

[Jayday23]

Originally Posted by roger1818

So they are twinning the building at 851 in the parking lot that is to the north-east of it?

Sounds like it. The structure will be sited immediately to the east of the existing residential building, replacing the eastern surface parking lot.

[J.OT13]

Did they just dust off the original plans from the 70s and called it a day?

[rocketphish]

Development application:
https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans...appId=__AT03JE

Streetview:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.37951...7i13312!8i6656

Architect: Rod Lahey

Siteplan:




Renderings:

[Arcologist]

My god, it's hideous!

[kevinbottawa]

If they wanted that shape they could've at least done something like the LIV apartments. They have a blank canvas and still came up with something less creative and physically appealing.

[Marcus CLS]

Site plan was approved last March. Construction fencing is put up this past week. Looks like this is starting. Lord Richmond phase 2 I guess by Homestead.

[Marcus CLS]

More than 50% of the piles are done. Looks like construction is on hold for now because of LRT Stage2 utility work along Richmond Road. I suspect the permit was issued prior to the restrictions put in place so once the Utility work is done it should start up again.

[J.OT13]

I wouldn't mind if the project was scrapped all together. What a dismal design.

[Marcus CLS]

Tower Crane base is installed. Excavation is complete.

[bartlebooth]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Another shot of the Byron tunnel construction.


https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/st...73302654570499

What's the construction project with the crane in the background? Is that LRT related or something else?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by bartlebooth

What's the construction project with the crane in the background? Is that LRT related or something else?

It's a modern take on the 70s slab tower.

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Development application:
https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans...appId=__AT03JE


Renderings:

Full thread here: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...light=richmond

[p_xavier]

Ottawa has probably the ugliest skyscrapers in all of Canada, geez that's bad.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by p_xavier

Ottawa has probably the ugliest skyscrapers in all of Canada, geez that's bad.

Another RLA masterpiece.

[GeoNerd]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's a modern take on the 70s slab tower.

Another RLA masterpiece that we have been blessed with. We’re so lucky to have such a talented starchitect in this city.

[Richard Eade]

Hmmm. . . . not very generous today, are we?

This new building is, basically, the companion tower to 851, and it has been waiting to be built for many, many years. As a member of the ‘851-family’, it needs to look as if it belongs to that family; and this new tower certainly does. The look takes many elements from the original, but is identifiably different. I think it fits in well on the property. I am much happier having a new building look as if it belongs rather than getting a Starchitect’s Dream which shows no regard for the area.

Since the signs are advertising ‘Luxury Apartments’, I expect that the interior of the new building and its units will be markedly different from the old 851 tower – which was definitely NOT luxury.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Hmmm. . . . not very generous today, are we?

This new building is, basically, the companion tower to 851, and it has been waiting to be built for many, many years. As a member of the ‘851-family’, it needs to look as if it belongs to that family; and this new tower certainly does. The look takes many elements from the original, but is identifiably different. I think it fits in well on the property. I am much happier having a new building look as if it belongs rather than getting a Starchitect’s Dream which shows no regard for the area.

Since the signs are advertising ‘Luxury Apartments’, I expect that the interior of the new building and its units will be markedly different from the old 851 tower – which was definitely NOT luxury.

Not looking for starchitecture, just something that doesn't look 1970s. I'll reserve my full judgement for when it's complete.

"Luxury" apartments doesn't mean much nowadays. They slap that label on anything.

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Credit to Harley for photographing these condo units before they disappear from public view forever. The units to the lower right and left of the inside of Claridge plaza. I'm thinking these are going must be a tad dark and claustrophobic at this point? Good for people working the nighshift at Cafe Dekcuf.

And I mean, a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g.


https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/committees...lter-1.5332089

[gjhall]

"Luxury," as far as I can tell, means dishwasher and in-suite laundry.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

"Luxury," as far as I can tell, means dishwasher and in-suite laundry.

I doubt the Tabor "Luxury" apartments even have that.

For 851, it might look ok if done well. Glass railings, a simple, clean cladding. Hard to tell with these mid-2000s looking renderings.

My biggest disappointment is the lack of retail. Even a small coffee shop or corner store would have been an improvement. At the moment, that stretch of Richmond doesn't offer much.

On a positive note, it removes a surface parking lot.