[Kitchissippi]

Unless those glass panels have the ability to appear and reappear on the same day (especially a Saturday), the third out of four photo has got to be a much older one.

[Danman]

Unless those glass panels have the ability to appear and reappear on the same day (especially a Saturday), the third out of four photo has got to be a much older one.
Yeah I slipped in an older pic...I couldn't get a good shot of the corner at that time of day, the sun blasting right into the lens.
I like that the glass is reflective, i was expecting the matt side to face out.
You can clearly see the reflection of surrounding buildings, which makes it way less imposing. The condo glass has a grey tint to it, making it seem somewhat opaque from the outside...

[Beatrix]

I watched an episode of Big City Broker on HGTV the other day and they were showing the opening sales night for this project. Apparantly the demand was quite high...

Those of you who are moving in are (hopefully) in for quite a treat. It is a beautiful building. :)

[Davis137]

Yeah, I saw that episode too, and Brad talked about what kind of market potential Ottawa has, and that it'd only make sense to try and spurr as many projects in the CBD as possible...

[waterloowarrior]

southfacing

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3282488174_1082f8d5e5_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3282487238_5efc18f197_o.jpg

[harls]

^ I've been waiting for that guy to make a flyby!

Here's a quick shot from this morning.. first time in a long time I've been early for work (first day back at work downtown since Feb 3!)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3290573926_3b00fdc542_b.jpg

[O-Town Hockey]

I'm so jealous that this Southfacing guy gets to fly around all the time and take pictures, much appreciated though. How many more floors until HP2 is topped out? Three more floors for Mondrian after this week. I think we need some new projects in the CBD as there won't be anything going on once 180 Kent, HP, and Mondrian are completed....I guess it's a sign of the times. It doesn't help when our ridiculous federal government has decided to start decentralizing into the 'burbs. It will get even worse if/when Harper starts moving entire departments to the West :(.

[harls]

More from this afternoon.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3290281371_6bfb7db668_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3290282865_4920d5dacd_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3291102104_4c87b3f665_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3290285135_6565161ba8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3290286459_8c4bb4a937_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3291105662_f35d526e74_b.jpg

[rocketphish]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3290285135_6565161ba8_b.jpg


Oooh, nice shot. How artsy!

[Davis137]

I had no idea that Mondrian was already past 20 floors...awesome...

Thanks for the updates everyone!

[ajldub]

The glass over the parking floors really lends itself to some kind of lit up advertising like Dundas Square or Times Square... would be a great way to keep condo fees down, too...

[hackunion]

Why would you want to smother a beautiful glass facade with advertisements??? The rotating billboard across the street is already enough, though I would like to see it go.

[ajldub]

A little in-your-face advertising could really make the intersection interesting, like Times Square but admittedly much smaller scale. Let's see how beautiful this teal glass looks when it's all done. We all know about the success we've had with teal glass on Rideau street so far. And I'm also interested to see how good a job it does hiding the parking lot. Not to bash the building, though - as a whole this one is a real beauty...

[jeremy_haak]

I cannot believe that some people, when faced with the questions of 'What more does this location need?' produced billboards and advertising as the answer. No thank you.

[Mille Sabords]

I cannot believe that some people, when faced with the questions of 'What more does this location need?' produced billboards and advertising as the answer. No thank you.

It's a matter of opinion. Last time I went to New York, I took hundreds of pictures of just neon signs, because I found them so creative and original. You can see some on a thread I posted: New York Neon (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=163246)

That rotating sign in front of L'Esplanade, to me, is a breath of fresh air, a confirmation that we are in a city, a subtle detail that validates commerce (which is after all one of the main purposes of cities).

[d_jeffrey]

I cannot believe that some people, when faced with the questions of 'What more does this location need?' produced billboards and advertising as the answer. No thank you.

I think that their answer is an urban gathering place. Since Ottawa doesn't have a pure urban gathering place, they are thinking about how great NY's time square and Toronto's dundas square are great. The neons and advertising is part of that charm.

[O-Town Hockey]

There's a stipulation in our contract that mentions something like they can put advertising along our podium at their discretion. Noticing that they haven't put the lowest level of glass around the parking, I wonder if that will be one big Shoppers sign? I don't really mind as long as our entrance along Laurier is a little more discrete and not surrounded with neon. Bank Street is pretty tacky already with no clear pattern or vision as far as achitecture so we might as well make it visually stimulating.

This might be a little much though:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mAtuABPmU5A/SSSK5CQkyaI/AAAAAAAAAJM/Vf1AkRaooTE/s400/BILD0046.JPG

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

I would love to see an Ottawa version of Dundas Square. In fact, I posted my own plans for such a square a while back. I'll see if I can find it.

[harls]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed it, but I have noticed that Bank Street, in it's design, is not that much different than Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. Before you all jump on top of me let me explain.. it resembles Toronto in the way that it is built.. wide sidewalks, same store frontage (especially the new Telus building).. it's just an observation I've had.

I'm talking more the business district of Toronto, not Yonge/Dundas. Like Adelaide to Front. It feels similar, minus the enormous height of the buildings.

maybe I'm just off my rocker..

[Radster]

I think some neon and/or avant-garde colourful advertising in good taste using some new technology would be great there. Unfortunately Ottawa is over-run with NIMBYs, and people who are against any type of significant change to the urban landscape in downtown Ottawa, as can be seen in some of the last posts on this page. Ottawa will never become a true city this way. Look at pictures from real cities around the world (or visit them in person), including cities Europe, Asia, South America and Australia, and see how big electronic advertising doesn't take away anything good, instead it makes the city more vibrant, in touch with technology, alive and a pleasure to walk/drive through. No wonder many people who visit Ottawa leave with an impression that we are just a sleepy government town.

[Mille Sabords]

I think some neon and/or avant-garde colourful advertising in good taste using some new technology would be great there. Unfortunately Ottawa is over-run with NIMBYs, and people who are against any type of significant change to the urban landscape in downtown Ottawa, as can be seen in some of the last posts on this page. Ottawa will never become a true city this way. Look at pictures from real cities around the world (or visit them in person), including cities Europe, Asia, South America and Australia, and see how big electronic advertising doesn't take away anything good, instead it makes the city more vibrant, in touch with technology, alive and a pleasure to walk/drive through. No wonder many people who visit Ottawa leave with an impression that we are just a sleepy government town.

You can't make a city progress if you only ever plan in function of possible NIMBY reaction. If there is a good idea, it has to be put out there so that it has a chance to develop a "yes" camp. It's mathematically impossible to please everyone. The bigger a city gets, the less it's possible to make everyone happy. But just by looking forward and building a core of support for ideas that are a logical progression in the maturing of a city, there will also always be people who are not just in favour, but wondering what took so long.

[ajldub]

Radster - while I agree with you, Ottawa is a very real city as it stands. There are 1.2 million people living and working within commuting distance of Parliament Hill.

[k2p]

Radster - while I agree with you, Ottawa is a very real city as it stands. There are 1.2 million people living and working within commuting distance of Parliament Hill.

There are gobs of cities much smaller than 1.2 million that are much more real than Ottawa. A test of a real city isn't population. It's people on sidewalks with pleasant things to look at. Real cities don't ban hot dog sales, recoil at anything taller than five storeys or have Diane Holmes & Clive Doucet as leading spokespeople on urban planning.

[ajldub]

Hmm sounds like an entirely arbitrary and somewhat ridiculous definition of a real city to me.

[fireicedog]

There are gobs of cities much smaller than 1.2 million that are much more real than Ottawa. A test of a real city isn't population. It's people on sidewalks with pleasant things to look at. Real cities don't ban hot dog sales, recoil at anything taller than five storeys or have Diane Holmes & Clive Doucet as leading spokespeople on urban planning.

Not sure how you derived your definition of a real city or if your claims of a hot dog ban are true.

Despite all the challenges this city faces with being the nation's capital, height restrictions, small minded, petty and incompetent city councillors and a number of overlapping government agencies with their own plans for the city, the city of Ottawa has achieved to being more of a "real" city than any other cities of comparable size. I think the definition of a "real" city should come from the residents.

Being a centretown resident, this city compares very well with other cities in terms of quality of life, urbanity, beauty, entertainment and general amenities.

This is quality of life is not soley downtown, but in the glebe, westboro, wellington west, south bank, and to a certain degree, hintonburg and vanier.

Just the fact this city has so many livable areas makes this city "real".

[O-Town Hockey]

Lots of workers in and around Mondrian today considering it's a weekend. It seems they are really trying to stick to the most recent move-in dates. Sales are slow but steady at Central so it may break ground around the same time that this project is completed. Up to 22 next week which is the last of the identical floors; then on to the 2 penthouse floors and a roof.

[rocketphish]

Here is a picture from the back of the crane...

Cool. I can see a lot of what looks like capped-off plumbing stacks, but what are all the blue-grey lines that are being embedded in the slab? Is that electrical conduit for the units below?

[O-Town Hockey]

We do a complete floor cycle in 4 working days,We will pour 22nd on wednesday 25th.Now 23th will take 5 to 7 days because of slab bands and transfer beams...Here is a picture from the back of the crane

Thanks for the info FormingBoss. Nice to have someone on the inside. It's pretty amazing that you guys can turn over a floor in 4 days considering all the work that needs to be done (moving forms, rebar, wiring, etc.). So have you heard anything about Central? Will you be working on that project as well?

[aesthetic]

Foaming you want to put your link in between these tags:

There's also an "insert image" tool when you post that looks like this: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/images_pb/editor/insertimage.gif. All you have to do is put the url where they ask and it'll post the image for you.

[O-Town Hockey]

I'm lovin' the new vantage points! Not too many people can get those shots (legally). One thing I've been wondering is why there is such a delay in that one little section along Gloucester Street? I figured the podium would be completed by now. Is it expected to top out around the same time as the tower? Thanks again.

[harls]

Hey there Forming Boss, I deleted those broken links for you as they had already been posted. Welcome to the forum, it is great to have you.. can't get much of a better viewpoint than from the crane!! :D

this is sort of anti-climatic, but here's a shot of the Mondrian from Parc Jacques Cartier (I was at the ice scupltures there today). You can probably see them from your crane, eh?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3302195676_255d356783_b.jpg

[Radster]

Radster - while I agree with you, Ottawa is a very real city as it stands. There are 1.2 million people living and working within commuting distance of Parliament Hill.

Ok, Ottawa is a city but with a small town mentality.

[Indescribable]

Its not too often you see pictures on here from the crane!

[O-Town Hockey]

Floor 22 poured today as per the plan described by Forming Boss. I was in Shoppers tonight and the cashier was a new employee. She said that, during her training, the managers told her that the entire store would be moving accross the street and that it would be one of the "big" stores with more food etc. Kind of what I was already thinking as I mentioned earlier that there seems to be only one opening for doors along the ground floor. I guess we've lost Forming Boss unfortunately. Thanks for the pics though.

[harls]

? what happened to him? Weird.

[Rook]

? what happened to him? Weird.

I'd be doing a close inspection of the concrete of Floor 22 ;)

[Danman]

? what happened to him? Weird.

He must have been a KAOS agent!!!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r247/retrodan_01/KAOS_LARGE.jpg

Photo credits: Danman/Adobe Illustrator

[harls]

...would you believe..

:D

[333fun555]

? what happened to him? Weird.

It was weird when he came up with the pictures (sharing the top secret with everybody :rolleyes: ). I was wondering how his boss would react? Now I know. Hope he didn't loose his job :(

[harls]

I was wondering how his boss would react?

That's what I was thinking. He was probably told to take them down. oh well.

[Danman]

Went by last night and they had the podium illuminated..Woahhh, pretty flashy!

[harls]

How many floors to go now?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3321924383_9e8670d381_b.jpg

[harls]

Some more from my lunch break today..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3323588216_1b94fc30a9_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3323583312_b18c4862a6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3323577114_92bde77866_b.jpg

the podium

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3323574784_6f5615291c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3322719753_538df18db7_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3323548804_0c331fecb6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3322713155_5d2acfd5b3_b.jpg

it's not that great, but you can just see the building poking out behind 180 Kent..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3323542328_03925f1046_b.jpg

pano from Bank and Nepean

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3322752967_b8307049c4_b.jpg

[O-Town Hockey]

Wow, sick shots Harls! Urban Capital should really post some of these on their website. They are moving the forms up to 23 today (see Harls' photo below). That means all that is left is 24 + a roof. These next couple floors may take a bit more than a week (as forming boss suggested) since all 3 are different. Oh well, it'll give the glass guys some time to catch up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3322713155_5d2acfd5b3_b.jpg

[harls]

Are they at 23 or 22? I keep losing count with my mouse! :D

It's a race now with HP 2.. they've only got 3 more floors to go. I think they'll be topped of at roughly the same time.

[333fun555]

Wow, sick shots Harls! Urban Capital should really post some of these on their website. They are moving the forms up to 23 today (see Harls' photo below). That means all that is left is 24 + a roof. These next couple floors may take a bit more than a week (as forming boss suggested) since all 3 are different. Oh well, it'll give the glass guys some time to catch up.


And then, there is a swimming pool on the roof which will slow dawn things a little ;)

[O-Town Hockey]

And then, there is a swimming pool on the roof which will slow dawn things a little ;)

The pool's already done. It's not on the "roof" roof but on the roof of the podium 6 storey's above Bank Street (see renderings).

http://www.novocondo.com/DATA/Projet/1663.jpg
http://www.urbanlivingcondos.com/blog/images/mondrian-rooftop.jpg

[olson]

and considerably quite small, its probably more of a soaker tub than anything else.

[333fun555]

The pool's already done. It's not on the "roof" roof but on the roof of the podium 6 storey's above Bank Street (see renderings).

http://www.novocondo.com/DATA/Projet/1663.jpg
http://www.urbanlivingcondos.com/blog/images/mondrian-rooftop.jpg

It sure have fooled me. It said "swimming pool on the roof top terrace", now I found "the roof top of the 6th floor" :rolleyes:
Either way, great building :cool:

[333fun555]

Are they at 23 or 22? I keep losing count with my mouse! :D

It's a race now with HP 2.. they've only got 3 more floors to go. I think they'll be topped of at roughly the same time.

You were counting floors with the mouse?????? :D

[harls]

Yeah. Stupid, isn't it? :) Especially when they write the number of floors on the elevator side.

[O-Town Hockey]

Are they at 23 or 22? I keep losing count with my mouse! :D

It's a race now with HP 2.. they've only got 3 more floors to go. I think they'll be topped of at roughly the same time.

The forms are at the level of the floor for the 23rd storey. Then they have to pour the floor of the 24th storey (23rd's ceiling) and then the roof. I think HP2 might win as their floorplates are all identical. They will both be topped out by the end of March at the latest.

[Davis137]

Wow, it's getting close to the end now, in terms of the topout of this project...I still wish it was another 6 floors taller...would've stood out more in the skyline, but with that being said, asthetics wise, it's going to be killer when completed...

Thanks for the updated pics Harls!

[harls]

forgot about this one from yesterday..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3326454618_360276ab21_b.jpg

[harls]

Cool angle from forumer yamezfairos

Check out his thread in city photos here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=166501):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3357741421_2dab7c0627_b.jpg

[O-Town Hockey]

I snapped a couple of shots today. Forms are moving up to the 24th floor with just the roof to go after that. Should be topped out next week! Looks like they're leaving lots of space around that parking podium for a BIG Shoppers Drug Mart sign.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3361031141_bc8235605c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3361845404_d8ee302f96_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3361023071_e1afe620d3_b.jpg

[Davis137]

This is going to be such a nice building...it's too bad that it's not 30 storeys or more, as it would certainly stand out even more from the rest of the area if it was...oh well, there's always hope they will build something taller further west, lower in elevation than the CBD...

[harls]

Aw. I was going to do an update today, but you beat me to it. ;)

I noticed the roof forms as well this morning on my way to work.

[harls]

Roof peeps.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3362684097_d641730bd8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3362689071_58e31a244c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3363510034_bc21d0bcd3_b.jpg

The best light was on Kent St.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3362698253_699f9cdd2e_b.jpg

[Radster]

This is going to be such a nice building...it's too bad that it's not 30 storeys or more, as it would certainly stand out even more from the rest of the area if it was...oh well, there's always hope they will build something taller further west, lower in elevation than the CBD...


Are you thinking Lebreton Flats? Would be nice, but, not gonna happen!!!

[Ottawade]

Roof peeps.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3362684097_d641730bd8_b.jpg



The disrepair and inconsistent window treatments of Esplanade Laurier make me shudder a little every time I see it in daylight. Someone really needs to put a big brown paper bag over it.

[harls]

A while ago they tried to fix up the entrance on the Laurier side. It looked like a bad drywall job... peeling paper, cracks. They've since patched it up and it looks a little better. but yeah, this place is nothing to jump up and down about.

When I first moved here I thought the building was clad in marble (like First Canadian Place in Toronto), then I got a good look close-up.. :yuck:

[O-Town Hockey]

Nice updates Harls. They're really doing some funky things with the forms for those last two floors (the penthouses). I liked it better when it was moving like a vertical assembly line. Oh well, hopefully they can get the roof done next week and it will be glass and interior from there on in. Picked my finishings and upgrades today.....always more than you were planning on spending :rolleyes:.

[jeremy_haak]

A while ago they tried to fix up the entrance on the Laurier side. It looked like a bad drywall job... peeling paper, cracks. They've since patched it up and it looks a little better. but yeah, this place is nothing to jump up and down about.

When I first moved here I thought the building was clad in marble (like First Canadian Place in Toronto), then I got a good look close-up.. :yuck:

According to Wikipedia, it apparently used to be marble until the early 90s when a slab fell off the building and they replaced it with plasterboard. Honestly though, despite it's ubiquity, the chemical characteristics of marble seem to make it rather unsuitable as a cladding for buildings.

[Danman]

According to Wikipedia, it apparently used to be marble until the early 90s when a slab fell off the building and they replaced it with plasterboard. Honestly though, despite it's ubiquity, the chemical characteristics of marble seem to make it rather unsuitable as a cladding for buildings.

I remember when that happened...one person was criticaly injured at lunch time by a falling slab...I avoided walking around the building for years after that! :uhh:

[O-Town Hockey]

I had a wedding tasting today in the Merlot Grill atop the Marriott Hotel. First, the food was excellent. Second, the view was spectacular. Third, the forms for the 24th are complete so they'll likely pour the concrete tomorrow or the next day. If you have a special day of some kind coming up I would highly recommend splurging on a dinner @ Merlot, well worth it for skyscraper geeks and regular folk alike.

[Norman Bates]

I had a wedding tasting today in the Merlot Grill atop the Marriott Hotel. First, the food was excellent. Second, the view was spectacular. Third, the forms for the 24th are complete so they'll likely pour the concrete tomorrow or the next day. If you have a special day of some kind coming up I would highly recommend splurging on a dinner @ Merlot, well worth it for skyscraper geeks and regular folk alike.I've eaten at the Merlot, and La Ronde before that, several times. I've always savoured the view - but never the food.

[Ottawade]

I had a wedding tasting today in the Merlot Grill atop the Marriott Hotel. First, the food was excellent. Second, the view was spectacular. Third, the forms for the 24th are complete so they'll likely pour the concrete tomorrow or the next day. If you have a special day of some kind coming up I would highly recommend splurging on a dinner @ Merlot, well worth it for skyscraper geeks and regular folk alike.

I hope you're inviting the whole SSP Ottawa forum to the wedding ;)

[O-Town Hockey]

I hope you're inviting the whole SSP Ottawa forum to the wedding ;)

Everyone on SSP-Ottawa is invited to my wedding except for Ottawade (for thinking anything different). I expect lavish gifts.

As for Merlot, I shouldn't say that the food was anything too unique, but it was very good in the context of wedding food.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Everyone on SSP-Ottawa is invited to my wedding except for Ottawade (for thinking anything different). I expect lavish gifts.

As for Merlot, I shouldn't say that the food was anything too unique, but it was very good in the context of wedding food.

I may not be able to attend due to the fact that I am currently in North Bay for college. :P

[jitterbug]

This is going to be such a nice building...it's too bad that it's not 30 storeys or more, as it would certainly stand out even more from the rest of the area if it was...oh well, there's always hope they will build something taller further west, lower in elevation than the CBD...

Can someone please elaborate on what, specifically, they like about this particular building? I'm trying to figure out why you find it so amazing, but so far I'm stumped. :shrug:

Thank you.

[olson]

I'm no expert when it comes to the design of buildings. However being an Ottawa resident and having witness the buildings in the surrounding in area, I think it offers something different in the downtown area from what were normally used to.

Personally I'm a big fan of the red glass panes used. Its very simplistic and most of its uniqueness is accomplished with the glass panes used. Thus, the inherent use of the "Mondrian" name.

Its a step forward design wise in introducing something a little more artistic, but subtle enough to mesh well within Ottawa's current urban design.

Then again my opinion is bias given I'll be moving in this fine building. ;-)

[kwoldtimer]

Can someone please elaborate on what, specifically, they like about this particular building? I'm trying to figure out why you find it so amazing, but so far I'm stumped. :shrug:

Thank you.

It may be less that this building is so good than the fact that most of Centretown is so bad. Heading south on Bank the other day, I thought the balconies sticking out on the east side of the Mondrian tended to spoil the otherwise clean look of the building. That said, it does seem a step up from most of what surrounds it.

[rocketphish]

It may be less that this building is so good than the fact that most of Centretown is so bad...

Ya, maybe that's it.

I too don't think that this building is anything special. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a pure curtain-wall exterior the absolute cheapest way to clad a building these days? (any builders out there?). Maybe the interiors of the units will be amazing, but it seems to me to be just another East Market in sheep's clothing. Fit as many smallish units into a building envelope as inexpensively as possible. Throw a few red panels on the outside and name it after a famous painter of sparse linear artworks in an attempt to give it some sort of prestige. It doesn't fool me.

[O-Town Hockey]

Wow, a bit of negativity these days in the Mondrian thread :shrug:. I know it isn't a landmark building for downtown Ottawa, but it is a well-integrated contemporary addition to our not-so-spectacular skyline. In my opinion, it is doing exactly what downtown Ottawa needs; getting rid of a surface parking lot and enticing more people to live in the area. While the materials may not be top notch, it is a nice looking example of a condo with an entry-level pricepoint. As a young professional, I am not able to afford a place in HP or 90 George and I would have otherwise purchased out in the 'burbs somewhere. Including myself, I have met the people moving into 5 of the other units on our floor and not one of them is over the age of 40 and, while that may not always be a good thing, it will definately breathe some life into this stretch of Bank Street (and Centretown as a whole). I snapped a few shots today:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3376773290_0e586cf040_b.jpg

24th floor completed, now just the roof to go. We should see this top out late next week.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3375968855_670238d92a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3376778992_f33e3051c4_b.jpg

The last forms for the podium going up. It has quite the jumbo loading docks along Gloucester Street; I guess for all those Shoppers Drug Mart shipments.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3375973679_c5875be066_b.jpg

[rocketphish]

Wow, a bit of negativity these days in the Mondrian thread :shrug:. I know it isn't a landmark building for downtown Ottawa, but it is a well-integrated contemporary addition to our not-so-spectacular skyline. In my opinion, it is doing exactly what downtown Ottawa needs; getting rid of a surface parking lot and enticing more people to live in the area. While the materials may not be top notch, it is a nice looking example of a condo with an entry-level pricepoint.... it will definately breathe some life into this stretch of Bank Street (and Centretown as a whole).

I couldn't agree more with this assessment, and I hope I didn't offend anybody with my earlier comments. I don't think this is is going to be a bad building, just not anything special. As you said, it's clearly no 90 George or Hudson Park, but it's not supposed to be. The Mondrian (all of Urban Capital's projects, actually) are designed to fill a specific niche in the market, by attracting more people to live, and enliven, downtown at an attractive price. This is it's most important feature, and for that we can all be thankful.

[harls]

I noticed they have put up concrete slabs on the west facing side.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3382100349_898e04aee8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3382096297_8d36253fbe_b.jpg

(O-town has the other angles covered ;))

[jitterbug]

Thanks for your insights. It seems that the general consensus on this board is a lukewarm acceptance of the Mondrian, mostly from a utilitarian perspective (ie., it's downtown with units selling at a relatively cheap price). I wouldn't call this a ringing endorsement; more like "we should be happy because it's better than a parking lot" or "we should be happy because it's better than the really ugly buildings around it." Hooray.

[Davis137]

I like the building, and it adds a nice tall footprint to not only that corner/intersection, but to Bank Street Itself...

Thanks for the updated pics O-Town!

[Rocky1687]

Hah...man there are some negative responses on here, but it shouldn't bother the purchasers. Some comments are warranted...some ridiculous, but everyone is free to their opinion. I like the general positive attitudes on here as these are some of the people that are going to be living in the building when it's done. I'd prefer to have a happy neighbor than a complainer.

The place isn't cheap, but IS a good deal for downtown.....and "affordable" doesn't mean cheap. Most of the units are well over $200000..without a parking spot and a locker...not near that silly 154000 banner sign down there...I think that was like..day one of sales and the cheapest unit in the building.

I'm not sure why others bought in, but I can tell you why I did, given the variety of options available the last couple of years. I got in early so I got a better deal than most. I like the style...steel, glass, concrete and granite. I'll have a good view from my unit and most importantly (like all real estate) location location location! IMO..the location is just right. Central within quick walking distance of.....anything downtown, but yet it's still in a quiet location on the weekends. Someone mentioned glass is the cheapest cladding....glass could be, but I have to say...the more windows the better. You could encase the building in Italian marble, but it doesn't do me any good on the inside. My only concern is how cold windows will be in the Winter...other than that...it was another reason I liked the building.

Location though was the biggest reason...I want to be close, but not in the middle of it...ala the new building on 80 George. That is an impressive building, but I don't like the location (or the price). During the day...fantastic...you're right in the market...at night...bummer you're still in the middle of it along with all the racket. I'm there at night too sometimes, but I don't want to live there. I considered the East Market buildings before I bought at the Mondrian too (similar in style), but I drove down to the area one weekend...I was down there on a rainy Sunday morning and it just seemed shady....felt safe for me, but I'd think twice about my girlfriend walking in the area at night by herself. I decided I wanted a place outside the market.

In comparison to the HP. Half the units in the Hudson Park (Phase I North facing) don't have a view of anything other than Hudson Park Phase II (South facing)...I know...I have friends in the building..I've been through it. The amenities will be roughly the same as those in the Mondrian, but you don't have phase II looking right in your window.

The Mondrian is very unique in it's design from most in that on the 6th floor you have town houses and condo units with a door to the outside, but still on the 6th floor...I think that's going to be kinda cool...some units there will have patios up there..you don't see that in every building design. There is supposed to be a pool table along with wifi in a common area too.

Another thing is the public parking (which is completely separate from condo parking) and the retail space on the ground floor. A lot of condos haven't got that...or they do and it looks cheap. The Mondrian ground floor will be all windows like 10-12 feet tall (appears it's going to be that way...we'll see when it's done). As a condo owner...you own part of the building and the costs to maintain it...and any extra cash coming in means my condo fees will be lower. The parking and retail will all help with that....I'm all for it. Also...the construction on bank street has now made the sidewalks double wide....which is pretty sweet....just another bonus there. You're in the business area too so...jobs jobs jobs...I could go on, but to me...it all goes back to location.

There are many reasons to buy into one building over another...those are some of mine. Comparing this place to others is difficult...especially when you start comparing cladding and other features to 80 George.....where I think the low end was $350000. That's like comparing a Rockcliff mansion with a sub-urban house in Kanata....they're not in the same class.

Those that are excited should stay excited.....There is something unique about it. I'll wait until the building is done before I say "best building ever", but for now...I'm content.

[jitterbug]

Thanks for your comments and welcome to this board, Rocky. Congrats on your purchase. I think some of the comments, including mine, are directed solely at the building's architecture, not the interior. Like most people on this board, I'm 100% in favour of more height, more density, and more people living in or near downtown (even though I don't live downtown myself). We're also hoping for more inspired architecture downtown, since it's only the exterior of buildings that most of us ever get to see. On the whole, despite its weaknesses Mondrian is a welcome addition, along with the new bodies that'll bring some life to that part of the CBD after office hours.

[O-Town Hockey]

Thanks for your thoughts Rocky (however biased), many of the same reasons I purchased. I can't say enough how much I like this stretch of Bank Street (from Laurier North), especially since it's been all redone (nice benches, beautiful wide sidewalks, more trees). As for the windows, I have a friend in East Market (same construction materials) and they find that the windows are surprisingly good insulators and that heating costs are quite low. One last thing I don't think people realize is the quality of the interiors at Mondrian. Many of us had a bonus on signing which includes granite countertops in kitchen and bathroom, hardwood floors throughout (by Kahrs), as well as all quality stainless steel appliances in the kitchen (Frigidaire). I believe, as was the intention of Urban Capital, that this project is a small step up from East Market in terms of complexity, construction materials (better glass), and stellar location.

Of note, I was mistaken, they poured the 24th floor today and we will have to wait a couple more days before the forms move up for the roof. I don't mind if they take their time; we have to wait for the building to be completely enclosed with glass before much of the interior work can be completed anyway. Glass up to the 14th floor now.

[333fun555]

I can't say enough how much I like this stretch of Bank Street (from Laurier North), especially since it's been all redone (nice benches, beautiful wide sidewalks, more trees). As for the windows, I have a friend in East Market (same construction materials) and they find that the windows are surprisingly good insulators and that heating costs are quite low. One last thing I don't think people realize is the quality of the interiors at Mondrian. Many of us had a bonus on signing which includes granite countertops in kitchen and bathroom, hardwood floors throughout (by Kahrs), as well as all quality stainless steel appliances in the kitchen (Frigidaire).

People may have different opinion, but nobody can deny great building and great location :tup:
We also have in HP granite countertops in kitchen and bathroom, hardwood floors throughout, as well as all quality stainless steel appliances in the kitchen (Just a year go I had to pay extra for all that). There is still room for upgrades, but again personal preference.
Regarding floor to ceiling windows, you don't have to worry about heating, it will be fine, cooling in summer is another story. Be prepared for heavy blinds and high hydro bills for AC ;)

[harls]

a couple from today..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3402236442_20abcafd9b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3401437211_0690bff66c_b.jpg

[O-Town Hockey]

Nice shots Harls, not far to go now! A few forms still to be raised on the East side and they'll likely pour the roof on Thurs/Fri. Pretty soon that view will be this:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6066/mondriandaywz4.jpg

[waterloowarrior]

southfacing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3392993377/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3392993377_3bed9a090d.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3392992955/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3392992955_40be4cee4c.jpg?v=0

[cityguy]

In that last picture,downtown Ottawa looks very dense.

[Aylmer]

In that last picture,downtown Ottawa looks very dense.

Count all the twin towers: I see 14!

:)

[theKpa]

Mondrian looks really sleek with that glass.

[Indescribable]

The downtown is quite dense in Ottawa.

[Luker]

its funny because its true, but too anyone living here the downtown seems so insufficent and lacking, yet if it has anything going for it in the future, it would be a tremendous core and "building block" to move ahead on while adding some signature pieces to the skyline.

Although high restricitions always will remain a problem for me and most of us enthusiasts, at best we can hope for big things ONE DAY in the low lieing east(market) and lebreton...

we shall see :/

[harls]

Zoom..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3406707803_4901352afa_b.jpg

...oom..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3407517434_c4c08b756d_b.jpg

..mmm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3407518864_4a94527532_b.jpg

[Davis137]

Thanks for all of the updated pics everyone! I don't mind the height of this, or other buildings going up in the CBD, and I do like the cosmetics of it too. It's great to see construction progress taking place here, even with the economy in turmoil...

[Stonyhenge]

Hi all..
Was on Bank Street with my camera this Sunday and took some pics of this nice building! Thought it may be a good idea to share some of them with you!

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1248.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1250.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1251.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1253.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1254.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1255.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1260.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1261.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1262.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1268.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1269.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1270.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1278.jpg

http://www.lesitedemaxime.com/shared/2000-2009/2009-04-05%20-%20Mondrian/lowRes/IMG_1277.jpg

[Tor2Ott]

Thanks for the pix. It is a nice building, however, I think there are way too many white metal frames. They make it really messy, and take away the effect of the distinctive red glass windows. Why do they have to make the windows so small? They should've at least double the size of the windows, thus reducing the white frames by half.

Just my thoughts anyways.

[Mille Sabords]

Thanks for the pictures - great shots. :tup:

[harls]

Thanks Stonyhenge!

I can't wait until they start removing those wooden railings from the balconies... looks like a bunch of popsicle sticks.

[harls]

From Bank and Argyle (with T&L ruins on the left)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3418897352_d261047898_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3418097315_afc65169a7_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3418100153_5539b77686_b.jpg

[O-Town Hockey]

They were pouring the roof this morning, meaning this baby is officially topped out today! Glass is up to the 15th floor. Tons of drywall being off-loaded along Laurier.

Cell phone shot of the pour (poor quality):

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4792/0704091116.jpg

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Wow, Mondrian has really changed our skyline from the view of a pedestrian. It's also looking pretty close to what they promised us in the concepts...