By Peter Ferguson
This will be a busy year for the development of properties in Lowertown. Rideau Street from King Edward east to the Cummings Bridge will see a burst of activity that should add much-needed student, apartment and condo accommodation to help revitalize the area. There will also be new development activity on Rideau west of King Edward that will fill in the vacant lots and improve the economic viability of the neighbourhood on both sides of the street. There will also be some practical infill activity to enhance the attractiveness of our community. The LCA Planning Committee has participated in the city-mandated planning process for all of the projects described below.
The repurposing of the former government building at 305 Rideau on the corner of King Edward is underway, with a completion date set to accommodate university students for the fall of this year. The University of Ottawa banner is now attached to the building, indicating that the private developer has reached an agreement with the university to provide student accommodation under conditions that are acceptable to the university. The variety in the apartment-style accommodation and amenities has been well thought out and the adjustments to the original “Brutalist” style of architecture should make this an exciting structure at the one of the busiest intersection in Lowertown.
Further east on Rideau Street at Chapel, the LCA understands that Trinity Development will continue with its plans to develop the site. At this time last year we were informed by Councillor Fleury that the previously approved plan would be modified so as to reduce its retail footprint, and that the contemporary-style residential towers would be built in two phases rather than one. We await notice from the City that the project is moving ahead, hopefully in 2019. It will add much needed new commercial and residential accommodation to the neighbourhood.
At the northeast corner of Rideau and Cobourg, the Chenier Group will build a nine-storey apartment building to be known as 541 Rideau. It will have some retail space on the ground floor. The contemporary architectural style will contrast effectively with the reconstruction of the original house that currently sits on the property and that will be situated on the Cobourg side of the property. The reconstruction reflects a commitment made by the developer, Gaetan Chenier, to preserve the structure, which dates from 1873, and to provide the community with a reminder of its original heritage. The expectation is that there could be shovels in the ground as early as April of this year.
A block further east and across the street at the corner of Rideau and Charlotte, Richcraft will be opening a sales office to attract interest in its proposed condo development at 560 Rideau Street. Ground floor retail accommodation will form part of this development.
Smaller developments are also proceeding within the community. Planning is underway for three townhouses at 101 Wurtemburg Street. This is a challenging build in that the steep embankment leading down to the Rideau River needs to be reinforced. Tree removal to permit the reinforcement activity occurred in mid-December. Hopefully the shoring up of the river bank will proceed in the spring with final approval then to be given by the Committee of Adjustment.
At 33 Heney Street, the footings and foundation have been completed for a small apartment building that will contain 11 units of various sizes. The structure will conform to R4 zoning requirements,meaning that, structurally, it will fit into the neighbourhood where existing buildings have a similar zoning designation.
There are other proposals in the pipeline at various stages of review. Throughout 2019, the LCA Planning Committee will continue to be vigilant, in each instance, to ensure that our significant heritage is respected but also that a new vitality can be brought to our community.