The city’s planning committee Tuesday approved a recommendation to send the latest design for a planned extension to the Château Laurier back for more revisions.
Last week, the built heritage sub-committee called for the owners of the iconic downtown hotel, Larco Investments, to work with city staff to come up with a more suitable look for the proposed seven-storey, 164-suite addition.
The subcommittee specifically asked for further integration of limestone in the new build and that it draw other elements from the existing Château structure “to enhance its bond” with the original building.
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The most recent designs, submitted last month, did include more limestone materials to appease complainants that said previous iterations were incongruous with the heritage-designated structure. Though the attempt won over city staff, Heritage Ottawa denounced the designs.
Under the recommendation approved Tuesday, the city’s general manager of planning, Stephen Willis, will have the final say over the hotel design. A site plan application for the project will also need to be submitted to the planning committee to ensure the design meets heritage conservation guidelines.
The issue will now go to full council for approval on Wednesday.