Residential building, 28 storeys, proposed for LeBreton Flats across from new central library

A new 28-storey residential building could be built across the street from the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch at LeBreton Flats, with a proposal for the Laurier Avenue site awaiting city approval.

A new 28-storey residential building could be built across the street from the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch at LeBreton Flats, with a proposal for the Laurier Avenue site awaiting city approval.  The $120-million project would consolidate two properties at 593 and 601 Laurier Ave., creating an irregularly shaped 2,840-square-metre lot on the corner of Laurier Avenue West and Bronson Avenue, according to Guy Whissel, president of Longwood Building Corp., which is part of the syndicate Heritage Investment, which owns the property. Whissel’s company is also the builder and project manager.  The company currently owns the property at 593 Laurier Ave, which is occupied by a heritage building called the Alexander Fleck House. According to the proposal, the new building will be constructed adjacent to the house. 

Whissel said his company is in the process of closing on the neighbouring property at 601 Laurier Ave.   Designed by architect Project1 Studio, the proposed building would include 320 rental units, from bachelors to two-bedrooms, plus three levels of underground parking that include bicycle storage and amenities such as a gym, social room and rooftop terrace, according to Whissel.  Whissel added the proposal was recently resubmitted to the city. If all goes well, he said the existing buildings will be vacated for demolition in April and construction will begin mid-summer. Construction will take 24 to 36 months, he said.  “We’re really excited about it and we’ve designed a very interesting geometry to the building, which will really stand out,” he told OBJ. “And (it will have) an excellent view of the (Ottawa River). On the second and third floors, because of the escarpments and the slopes of the land, you’ll get the best views.” It’s the location that Whissel said will be the selling point.  “There’s no doubt that it’s one of the prime locations in the city,” he said. “It sits by LeBreton Flats and we all know there’s going to be a lot of stuff going on there. It’s also very, very close to the working government buildings. And, of course, there are the parks and all the things that come with the downtown area, without being right smack in the middle of all that huff and puff.” While there is plenty of residential construction taking place all over the city, Whissel said the area around LeBreton Flats has, at least at the moment, untapped potential.  “There are some existing rental buildings in the area, but the bulk of the construction occurring in Ottawa right now is more in the Glebe area and as far as Barrhaven,” he said. “This particular area is not well-served, in my opinion. That is why we have decided to acquire this property and make a go of it. It’ll be prime at the end of the day. It’s all about location.” The property next to the heritage house  — which Whissel said his company will be closing on soon — is currently owned by the Dalhousie Housing Co-op and is occupied by two low-rise buildings containing 20 residential units. Although those buildings will be demolished, Whissel said his company is nearing completion on the construction of a new 42-unit building down the road on behalf of the co-op.