ARTEFACT [100 Argyle Ave] | 38m | 12f | U/C

[m0nkyman]

As brought to my attention by Reevely on Twitter

http://ottwatch.ca/devapps/D01-01-18-0011

[FutureWickedCity]

Ugh, that web site takes forever to load...can you just tell us what this is? how many floors, etc?

[J.OT13]

Twenty-one floors. Integrating the current building's façade. Design is very blah.

[Spoonsy]

Development Application on Ottawa.ca

Site in question:


Renderings/Elevations (as of Nov27/2018):

[OTSkyline]

Is this not Art's Court?

[danishh]

is this rental? The planning rationale says it's prepared for Colonnade Bridgeport.

I'm not opposed to institutional investors building more commodity housing stock. The location isn't too prominent or ideal for TOD and this doesn't seem like it will damage museum of nature sightlines too much.

[JHikka]

More height for the Queensway corridor through Centretown.

[J.OT13]

Developer reduces height of proposed apartment building near Museum of Nature

OBJ, September 23



A prominent Ottawa developer has significantly revised its plans for a residential highrise near the Canadian Museum of Nature, shrinking the proposed building from 21 storeys to 10.

In documents recently filed at City Hall, Colonnade BridgePort says it decided to dramatically reduce the height of the Argyle Avenue project it originally proposed back in 2018 after consulting with city planning and heritage staff, Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney and local community representatives.

The property at 100 Argyle Ave. – located between Metcalfe and Elgin streets, north of Catherine Street and the Queensway – is directly adjacent to the Ottawa Police Service headquarters. It’s currently occupied by a surface parking lot and a historic two-and-a-half-storey office building that’s home to Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Co. and other businesses.

Colonnade BridgePort says the new building will include 99 apartment units and two levels of underground parking with space for 56 vehicles.

Under the proposed development, the façade of the heritage building would be preserved. The property is currently zoned for a maximum height of 18.5 metres, and the builder is asking for the limit to be raised to 38 metres.

The surrounding area has seen several high-profile developments in recent years, including Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corp.’s Beaver Barracks project on Metcalfe Street and Lamb Development’s Soba Ottawa condo tower on Catherine Street.

https://obj.ca/article/real-estate/r...ng-near-museum

[J.OT13]

The proposal was discussed at the Heitage sub-committee this week. This one, of course, a case of facadism, but honestly any heritage protection on this one is dubious IMO.

The facade will be moved slightly to the west and lowered so that the door is at street level.

The presentation had some better renderings. Very blocky, but not terrible. Beige. You know, standard RLA.

• Video Link

Zoning (or CDP) calls for 9 floors, so 21 was quite a leap. Ten is seen as more in keeping with the area.

McKenney supports the project.

[RogueNacho]

As far as RLA designs go, I don't think its terrible. It's still a bit bland but I do think it's a good height and fit for this area.

[Harley613]

Oh neat, RLA found the Colour Palette in AutoCAD! 'Shades of Dirt' are the new 'Shades of Gray'! Very avant-garde!

[OTSkyline]

Although the black/white/grey version was a copy/paste of every other tower going up in Ottawa at the moment, I would've much preferred that height and design at this location than this stubby beige mess..

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Although the black/white/grey version was a copy/paste of every other tower going up in Ottawa at the moment, I would've much preferred that height and design at this location than this stubby beige mess..

The idea was to not overshadow the Museum of Nature. The design is so-so, but the height is fine IMO.

EDIT. Here's an overview of the Centretown CDP from a decade ago. We can expect the City will go off-script at various sites, but preserving the domination of the Museum in that corner is an easy win.


https://www.urbanstrategies.com/project/city-of-ottawa/

[Harley613]

I think it would be a real shame to box the museum in and hide it from view from the Queensway. It's one of the few interesting things you see as you pass through our city on the highway.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I think it would be a real shame to box the museum in and hide it from view from the Queensway. It's one of the few interesting things you see as you pass through our city on the highway.

Arguably, 10 floors is too high as it would likely do just that. We should have considered a height limit in line with the beautiful Windsor Arms apartment building for the area.

Really, it's sad to see such a bland block added to a collection of amazing gems in the area. Even Beaver Barracks is far better than this proposal IMO.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I think it would be a real shame to box the museum in and hide it from view from the Queensway. It's one of the few interesting things you see as you pass through our city on the highway.

I didn't realize this was a sticking point.

The museum looks great from the surrounding streets and I don't think i've ever looked at it from the Queensway - probably because I spend more time looking at tall buildings or trying not to get into an accident from the merging onramps and offramps on that section of road.

[Glenlivet Ave]

oh no, this just looks really sad.

If you look at other big cities, museum districts typically attract more interesting buildings because people are willing to spend more to live near world class amenities.

It's unfortunate that they turned part of the park surrounding the museum into surface parking. Big miss in my opinion.

[UrbOttawa]

I'm on the fence about this one, it really depends on what brick they use to 'match' the museum. If its something similar to Minto beechwood then it could be pretty nice, but it also has the potential to be a disaster and end up like east flats.





Thankfully a condition of the approval is that they must supply material samples for feedback, so hopefully that results in a good choice.

[J.OT13]

Moderators, could you update to 10 fl and approved?

Kate Porter
@KatePorterCBC

Replying to
@KatePorterCBC

Already approved: 10-storey, 99-unit high-rise apartment building at 100 Argyle, behind the Museum of Nature and Ottawa Police HQ. #ottcity #ottnews


10:16 AM · Feb 11, 2021·Twitter Web App

https://twitter.com/KatePorterCBC/st...83926223921157

[postingaboutottawa]

https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applica...1-0130/details

New submission, new - slightly taller - design