Quote:
Originally Posted by J.OT13
The street grid was established before Ottawa became the capital. The Chrétien Government had a grand boulevard plan down Metcalfe, but it would have resulted in the demolition of dozens of historic buildings, along with large office blocks. That's the tragedy, but also partly what makes Ottawa unique, is the contrast between the old lumber town and the new world capital and how that all played out.
http://nccwatch.org/blunders/metcalfe.htm |
Interesting. So why didn't they just build the centre block 40 metres to the east in the first place?
It annoys me that they didn't but it's not a critical flaw. The Parliament buildings are visually oriented towards the river--it's not even clear why Parliament Hill is called that unless you see it from the river. Zibi, Lebreton Flats, and the tram ring will all make its orientation more obvious. Hungary's Parliament building is similar--one of the grandest I've seen but best appreciated from the river; this is as close as it gets to a framed-in, street-terminating view, and, in all honesty, there are lots of spots around Budapest with more impressive vistas.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5073...7i13312!8i6656