440 Albert St - Old Ottawa Technical HS

[illusion121]

Does anyone know what is being done with this old high school? A great location, but pretty much abandoned (few night classes there?).

This would have been an ideal location for the new Ottawa Public Library, which is close to the new LRT (Lyon) and surrounded by already existing high-density residential.

[danishh]

Originally Posted by illusion121

Does anyone know what is being done with this old high school? A great location, but pretty much abandoned (few night classes there?).

This would have been an ideal location for the new Ottawa Public Library, which is close to the new LRT (Lyon) and surrounded by already existing high-density residential.

I havnt seen anything recent, but the long term plan has been to sell it off in pieces to develop (likely condos, mixed use)

https://ottawa.ca/en/escarpment-area-district-plan

[Urbanarchit]

I hope they keep the historical school building and those houses, and even the international style addition on Bay and the overpass. I forget his name, but he was an important but forgotten Modernist architect in Ottawa who did the Apple Tree office farther down at Bay&Slater, the origin ScotiaBank building on Rideau at Williams, I think also the music store farther down Rideau near King Edward. He may also have been the one to do one of the modernist house in Alta Vista.

They'd make a great podium (or even downtown school). The property south of Slater could be redeveloped as something nice, maybe getting rid of the parking lot and better integrated with the park.

In high school, we went to a franco-ontarien concert in that school. The auditorium was a suspended one on the upper floors, and was an important feature of the building.

[danishh]

Originally Posted by Urbanarchit

I hope they keep the historical school building and those houses, and even the international style addition on Bay and the overpass. I forget his name, but he was an important but forgotten Modernist architect in Ottawa who did the Apple Tree office farther down at Bay&Slater, the origin ScotiaBank building on Rideau at Williams, I think also the music store farther down Rideau near King Edward. He may also have been the one to do one of the modernist house in Alta Vista.

They'd make a great podium (or even downtown school). The property south of Slater could be redeveloped as something nice, maybe getting rid of the parking lot and better integrated with the park.

In high school, we went to a franco-ontarien concert in that school. The auditorium was a suspended one on the upper floors, and was an important feature of the building.

there's actually a picture of the auditorium on page 86 of this document: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/de.../con055253.pdf

all of the options discussed in that planning document seem to demolish the modernist additions though. Only the core auditorium may survive as a community amenity in some of the options. The problem is, with the Bronson Centre close by, I'm not sure what the demand for auditorium/theatre use would be.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by danishh

there's actually a picture of the auditorium on page 86 of this document: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/de.../con055253.pdf

all of the options discussed in that planning document seem to demolish the modernist additions though. Only the core auditorium may survive as a community amenity in some of the options. The problem is, with the Bronson Centre close by, I'm not sure what the demand for auditorium/theatre use would be.

That's too bad. Looking at the document, as long as they preserve the older school buildings (options 3 or 4), I guess it won't be too bad.

[illusion121]

Originally Posted by danishh

I havnt seen anything recent, but the long term plan has been to sell it off in pieces to develop (likely condos, mixed use)

https://ottawa.ca/en/escarpment-area-district-plan

Thanks for sharing this link!
At least they have somewhat of a plan drawn up!

[kwoldtimer]

Is the auditorium ever used for anything these days? Seems a shame to waste it.

[Arcologist]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Is the auditorium ever used for anything these days? Seems a shame to waste it.

It's a gorgeous looking auditorium!

I have no idea, but could they repurpose the space? If they were to make that section of redevelopment commercial, perhaps that area could become seating in a food court, or something of the likes...