Reimagining Ottawa’s architecture

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by urbanforest

I'm almost a year late to the discussion above about Library and Archives moving from their Wellington St building, but wanted to jump in to say that, during Doors Open, I was told by staff there that they will be fully vacating that building once Adisoke is ready. Apparently the building is owned by PSPC (a frustrating landlord to have, according to them), and the folks I spoke to have no idea what will become of it.

It's such a spectacular building, it seems like a shame to not have it continue to be semi-publicly accessible.

That can't be right, new building has no space for the actual archives, it's all taken by parking. I think only customer-facing people will move to the library. The archives will stay in the old building.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

These are proposed in Calgary. Beautiful, love the 2 tower design, mostly glass, slightly different heights, lighting on the crown, step-down podium & plaza. Urgh, why can't we get anything this nice in Ottawa?

Curious, in your opinion, where would you envision a project like this in Ottawa?

Yeah, these are quite nice. Should make a huge impact on the Calgary skyline.

The obvious place for something like this in Ottawa would be LeBreton as part of the Sens Arena lands. Or 900 Albert if a developer who know what they're doing purchased it. I can't think of any other spot in Ottawa that call for such a high-level project. Not even Dow's Lake.

Originally Posted by urbanforest

I'm almost a year late to the discussion above about Library and Archives moving from their Wellington St building, but wanted to jump in to say that, during Doors Open, I was told by staff there that they will be fully vacating that building once Adisoke is ready. Apparently the building is owned by PSPC (a frustrating landlord to have, according to them), and the folks I spoke to have no idea what will become of it.

It's such a spectacular building, it seems like a shame to not have it continue to be semi-publicly accessible.

Originally Posted by zzptichka

That can't be right, new building has no space for the actual archives, it's all taken by parking. I think only customer-facing people will move to the library. The archives will stay in the old building.

That's what I was thinking. The archives space is Adisoke is miniscule compared to the archives building on Wellington. The whole thing is a bit confusing to me.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Yeah, these are quite nice. Should make a huge impact on the Calgary skyline.

The obvious place for something like this in Ottawa would be LeBreton as part of the Sens Arena lands. Or 900 Albert if a developer who know what they're doing purchased it. I can't think of any other spot in Ottawa that call for such a high-level project. Not even Dow's Lake.

It would look pretty nice on one of the lots along Elgin - where 66 Slater is perhaps? Or replacing the Rideau Centre parking?

I'd also like to see something high-quality at the south end of Centretown. Bank and Catherine, perhaps. Start to get something of a mid-town vibe going there along with the Brigil project.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

It would look pretty nice on one of the lots along Elgin - where 66 Slater is perhaps? Or replacing the Rideau Centre parking?

I'd also like to see something high-quality at the south end of Centretown. Bank and Catherine, perhaps. Start to get something of a mid-town vibe going there along with the Brigil project.

You're dreaming in technicolour if you think Elgin or even the Rideau Centre. I wouldn't mind 30 to 40 floors at the Rideau Centre, but even I would oppose that on Elgin, wanting to protect Parliament's prominence on the skyline (west of Kent, we can talk 40-45).

Centretown near Catherine though I'd be on board. A mini-manhattanization witht he talle-ish CBD and strip of residential, followed by low, human scale heritage district and then a midtown.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

You're dreaming in technicolour if you think Elgin or even the Rideau Centre. I wouldn't mind 30 to 40 floors at the Rideau Centre, but even I would oppose that on Elgin, wanting to protect Parliament's prominence on the skyline (west of Kent, we can talk 40-45).

Centretown near Catherine though I'd be on board. A mini-manhattanization witht he talle-ish CBD and strip of residential, followed by low, human scale heritage district and then a midtown.

I’m sure your’re right about Elgin, though I think the only realistic protection of Parliament is through viewplanes. Parliament is already shorter than Place Bell by a longshot, so not sure that taller and thinner would be worse.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

I’m sure your’re right about Elgin, though I think the only realistic protection of Parliament is through viewplanes. Parliament is already shorter than Place Bell by a longshot, so not sure that taller and thinner would be worse.

Place Bell and a few others are already taking away from Parliament's dominance, but some 40+ building right in front would be worse. Place de Ville area is far enough to make minimal impact.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

These are proposed in Calgary. Beautiful, love the 2 tower design, mostly glass, slightly different heights, lighting on the crown, step-down podium & plaza. Urgh, why can't we get anything this nice in Ottawa?

Curious, in your opinion, where would you envision a project like this in Ottawa?

Those two towers need to be knicknames "The Flatheads".

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

That can't be right, new building has no space for the actual archives, it's all taken by parking. I think only customer-facing people will move to the library. The archives will stay in the old building.

Yes, it's an expansion for the Archives, not a relocation.

[OTSkyline]

I agree the most logical placement would be Lebreton or Bayview, although the empty corner lot at Carling/Champagne or somewhere along the western skyline (Scott or Richmond) would also be nice.

[FrostyMug]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I agree the most logical placement would be Lebreton or Bayview, although the empty corner lot at Carling/Champagne or somewhere along the western skyline (Scott or Richmond) would also be nice.

The suggestions are all good ones. I'll toss in a couple more different locations. St Laurent @ 417 (lots of empty property on south side of 417) or Bayshore area. Both on O Train route and outside of height limited downtown core. These locations both already have numerous proposals in the area. This type of project would anchor the skyline in these areas.