harls
07-04-2008, 07:11 PM
Keep it civil, gentlemen... lest I get out my yardstick.
citizen j
07-05-2008, 12:59 AM
RE: why not intensify other neighbourhoods? I think Claridge is throwing up a little tower in Vanier much to the neighbours' chagrin. Bank Street and Gladstone is another recent flashpoint. But you're right, Dado, to ask why not other streets as well. I always thought the city would do well to encourage/facillitate construction of a decent steet wall in its attempt to solve the problem of St. Joseph Boulevard, for example. The problem is, of course, given a choice between Richmond in Westboro and St. Joseph in Orleans, where would you rather live? So does everyone else, it would seem.
keninhalifax
07-08-2008, 04:50 PM
I typically have a bias against constructions of this sort -- large-scale, high-rise projects that topple underused older buildings in an otherwise small-scale neighbourhood -- but I agree with Mille Sabords in this case: I find that, given the City's design guidelines established within the CDP for the area and the context of increasing residential demand in Westboro Village, Westboro Station presents a cleverly thought-out and relatively well-planned proposal. The recent renderings show buildings that maintain a good relationship to street level, as well as the creation of what appears will be a quite functional piece of public space in the square between the two buildings.
Provided the nature of the building materials isn't as gaudy as has been the case with other examples of this style of building, I feel that this will be a good addition to that end of the neighbourhood.
One question, however -- what happens to that wonderful mural that currently exists on the side of the building at Golden and Richmond? The final project must include some example of interpretive art!
MilesDavis
07-25-2008, 06:35 PM
The construction seems to have stalled. Does anyone know why?
Davis137
08-09-2008, 09:05 PM
I drove past this site today, and there wasn't much to be seen...just a low-rise crane inside of the compound, and no crew or equipment/materials around...
cityguy
08-28-2008, 02:52 AM
Is this project still on hold?
Mille Sabords
09-02-2008, 03:01 AM
Doesn't look on hold to me: construction seems to be proceeding. (my pic)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/2008-09-01105.jpg
Davis137
09-04-2008, 09:34 PM
I went past this place a few days ago, and I can see that there is more rebar and electrical conduit installed on the pillars now...little as that might be, it's progress nontheless...
I walk by Westboro Station every day and I'd say the 20-30 guys working there are making pretty steady progress. The two parking levels and the ground floor are complete concrete-wise and they were pouring the second floor yesterday and today.
The view from Byron is better.
Davis137
09-06-2008, 01:03 AM
I'll take my bike up there this weekend and snap some pics, as well as a couple of other locations...
Davis137
09-08-2008, 12:40 AM
Didn't get a chance to ride my bike up there (GD rainy weather all wkd), but I did drive by there a couple of times, and I could see that the rebar and forms for the next level were being installed, and it looked like a crew has been there in the last couple of days...I like seeing new buildings go up, and I think that this trend is only going to contine (would be neat to see something take the place of the old CT store at Patricia and Richmond...perhaps 12fl or more would look nice).
L8tz
waterloowarrior
09-11-2008, 11:09 PM
Phase 2 approved btw (http://lovewestboro.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/emc-article-westborostation2.pdf).. not sure if council has approved it yet.
Davis137
09-11-2008, 11:17 PM
Sounds Promising...
Davis137
10-03-2008, 07:21 PM
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1199.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1200.jpg
Going up fast now...
harls
10-10-2008, 01:54 PM
Yep, I went by here yesterday.. they're already on the next level. Going up fast.
Mille Sabords
10-10-2008, 02:07 PM
Sales centre has soft-opened for Phase II - launch date is October 25th.
waterloowarrior
10-18-2008, 01:55 PM
http://cdn.travidia.com/rop-ad/7065247
waterloowarrior
10-25-2008, 01:50 PM
now in colour
http://cdn.travidia.com/rop-ad/7099831
O-Town Hockey
10-25-2008, 04:03 PM
They're pretty nice looking buildings, but maybe one too many colours in those designs; makes them look a little bit busy. Those balconies look huge!
Davis137
10-25-2008, 05:57 PM
Those are certainly going to look nice, and they will add some density to that portion of Richmond...
Aylmer
10-25-2008, 07:01 PM
Peurdee...
:D
citizen j
10-26-2008, 04:31 AM
They're pretty nice looking buildings, but maybe one too many colours in those designs; makes them look a little bit busy.
Yeah. They do that to interrupt the visual rhythm of a building -- helps to break up the mass, supposedly to make a building look smaller (or at least less monolithic) than it is. But it can be overdone.
Mille Sabords
10-27-2008, 01:08 AM
Anyone have a price list they can post here?
Davis137
11-08-2008, 01:01 PM
Well, it's at 6 floors now, and workers were setting up the forms for the 7th...4 more floors to go...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1259.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1260.jpg
Shouldn't take much longer now, as ever since they got the podium and garage under it completed, the tower is going up really quickly now.
L8tz
Davis137
11-08-2008, 05:12 PM
I also forgot, but I think there are at least 2 levels below grade as well (could see down into them from the back corner a while back). Looked like it was set up for parking and for some of the utility closets/rooms.
Once they have 2 of these buildings up side by side, they are going to look really nice actually...
Davis137
11-15-2008, 02:41 PM
They were done the 7th floor, and putting up the 8th floor forms yesterday, I'm sure they will have most of the 8th floor poured by the end of the wkd. This little building is starting to create a real urban corridor now on Richmond, as it is finally starting to tower over the smaller buildings around it. I kinda wish they had allowed it to be 12 storeys instead of 10...its going to be a slim building, and wouldn't have looked bad at all if it were slightly taller than the buildings on the North Side of Richmond. Oh well, there's the Continental just down the road...
theKpa
11-15-2008, 10:00 PM
Should be a really good development. Phase 2 looks nice with the colour variation.
Davis137
11-23-2008, 04:43 PM
WS PH 1 is at 9 floors...one to go, plus mechanical penthouse...
Tower from Byron:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1271.jpg
Rear of building from Byron:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1272.jpg
Tower and Podium from Richmond:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1277.jpg
They already have the glass and some of the fascia installed on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Byron side of the Podium, and it looked like they were preparing to put more on soon.
L8tz
Mille Sabords
11-24-2008, 07:13 PM
Very nice pictures. That street is finally starting to take on an urban feel. With Exchange, WS really gives the area a genuine frame. This has to be one of the best condo projects in town.
harls
11-25-2008, 02:42 AM
This place is really flying along nicely.. Nice update, Davis!
harls
11-25-2008, 12:44 PM
Our best flickr friend southfacing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3050895201/) took this shot (Nov 22):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/3050895201_59ec6d9fb5_o.jpg
highdensitysprawl
11-25-2008, 01:51 PM
Our best flickr friend southfacing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3050895201/) took this shot (Nov 22):
Thanks for the link.....that flickr guy gets some great shots....
harls
11-25-2008, 02:52 PM
He should - the camera he's using is worth three grand! :D
waterloowarrior
11-27-2008, 01:25 AM
Ottawa Urbain.. also Nov 23
(http://www.ottawaurbain.ca/?p=web&menu=blogitem&blog_id=127)
http://www.ottawaurbain.ca/include/interplex/ottawaurbain/images/uploaded/1227490371_23916.jpg
http://www.ottawaurbain.ca/include/interplex/ottawaurbain/images/blog/600/pano_4_20001227493442.jpg
http://www.ottawaurbain.ca/include/interplex/ottawaurbain/images/uploaded/1227490371_23916.jpg
waterloowarrior
12-02-2008, 09:57 PM
not really anything interesting, but another step toward phase 2
http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/pec/2008/12-09/ACS2008-ICS-PLA-0236.htm
The subject portion of the Byron Linear Park is located on the north side of Byron Avenue between Golden and Roosevelt Avenues. It is within the block of land bounded by Richmond Road, Roosevelt Avenue, Byron Avenue and Golden Avenue, where approvals have recently been given (Zoning Amendment and Site Plan Control) for the redevelopment of the property with two new buildings (eight and ten-storeys) known as Westboro Station. These buildings are proposed to have commercial uses on the ground floor and residential on the upper floors. There will be two levels of underground parking and access to the underground parking garage will be provided from Byron Avenue. The existing uses of the lands to the north of the subject parklands are presently occupied with low-rise (one to four-storey) commercial buildings with surface parking.
Purpose of Proposal
The removal of the strip of dedicated parkland from the City’s park inventory is subject to policies from the former City of Ottawa. This policy requires that a two-thirds majority of Council approve in principle the possibility of removing lands from the City’s park inventory and to seek public input on the proposal. This is in turn followed by a public meeting and a Council decision which requires a two-thirds majority to formally declare the lands surplus.
A motion was presented at the Planning and Environment Committee of 18 August 2008 recommending that the subject lands be declared surplus parkland and removed from the City’s park inventory. The motion also recommended that the lands be formally dedicated by by-law as part of the Byron Avenue right-of-way. To comply with the policies of the former City of Ottawa dedicated to the removal of parkland dedication, the Department was to undertake the steps required and report back to Council with recommendations related to the above.
waterloowarrior
12-03-2008, 03:10 AM
Formula for success
Economic shivers don't faze buyers of Westboro condos
Sheila Brady, with files from Patrick Dare.
The Ottawa Citizen
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Elizabeth and Cliff Lebrun are homeless -- and not a bit concerned.
The retired teachers have sold their Kanata townhome, given away or stashed their furniture, and start driving to Vancouver on Monday. They will bunk in with their daughter for two months before heading south to spend four months under the warm Florida sun.
Come May, the two will check on the progress of their condo in the first phase of Westboro Station, now a sea of concrete on the western edge of Westboro. It won't faze them if it won't be ready until July or August.
"That's why we have a daughter in Vancouver," says Elizabeth, who remembers the 1970s when she and Cliff were young and rented an apartment in Plaza Towers, a highrise almost directly across Richmond Road from Westboro Station.
Westboro and the Lebruns have come a long way in the past four decades.
Westboro is now one of Ottawa's hottest neighbourhoods, offering a blend of restaurants, small shops, competing coffee shops and a rising number of condos.
The Lebruns, who left teaching nine years ago when they were in their mid-50s, have bought nine homes through the years, trading a two-storey in Arlington Woods with a big backyard and swimming pool for a lofty bungalow townhome in an adult-lifestyle community in Kanata Lakes.
Eighteen months ago, Cliff was one of the first through the front door of the sales office marketing the first phase of Westboro Station, a 10-storey condo planned for the large chunk of land that had been home to Bourk's Ignition since the '50s.
"We needed something a little more turnkey, something that did not need a lot of work," says the former physical education teacher. "We closed the deal on our Kanata house on Nov. 28 and are driving to Vancouver on Dec. 1. I'm looking forward to being homeless. It's a good thing at the moment."
Some time next summer, the Lebruns will move into their two-bedroom condo with a den and a huge terrace that will be sheltered from Richmond Road by plantings.
"We're going to be able to walk out of our living room door onto the terrace and into the dining room through another door," says Elizabeth.
The Lebruns paid in the low $400,000 for their 1,200-square-foot unit, plus $27,000 for an underground parking spot. The building sold quickly in spring 2007 when the local economy was buoyant.
Now, even though the economy seems headed for the dumpster, the second and larger phase of Westboro Station has also had strong sales. While new home sales slipped across the city by 55 per cent in October, young and older folks surged through the sales office at Richmond Road and Roosevelt Avenue and lined up to buy, even though prices had climbed by $100,000 on some condos or an average of $50 a square foot in the second phase. During the first three weeks, there were 30 firm sales.
Prices start at $244,200 for a 660-square-foot one-bedroom unit on the third floor, and go up to $994,160 for a 1,967-square-foot penthouse with two bedrooms, a den and a mammoth terrace.
The U-shaped development features oversized terraces and pronounced stepbacks from the street. When finished in December 2010, it will have shops on the first level, a restaurant in an open space between the two phases and 90 condos, including sumptuous penthouses on the top floor.
"Buyers in both buildings cover all ages," says Bill Bourk, president of Bourk Family Developments and the developer behind the partnership, which includes Ottawa architect Barry Hobin and Morley Hoppner, the commercial builder behind such properties as the Sensplex.
Karla Tate, 31, is at the younger end of Westboro Station's buyers, paying $270,000 for a one-bedroom condo with a modest balcony on the third floor in the second phase.
"If you had asked me a year ago 'Do you want to buy a home?', I would have said absolutely not. It's all about the readiness factor," says the single woman, who rents an apartment on Churchill Avenue, works at an office on Lanark Avenue, shops for workout gear at Lululemon and picks up Friday night pizza at the Newport Restaurant. "I love the neighbourhood. That's why I decided on Westboro Station."
In fact, the strength of the development is the neighbourhood, says Hobin, who helped shepherd the buildings through some sometimes tough public meetings. Neighbours were concerned about the height of the second building, but didn't recognize the setbacks from the street and the role of large terraces, he says.
It would have been a lot cheaper to build a big, flat condo, says Bourk. But no one on the team wanted that.
Instead, the combination of the neighbourhood and a condo with open spaces and terraces has locked in sales when there are shivers throughout the industry.
Hobin, who grew up in the neighbourhood, firmly believes its resemblance to the rich mix of shops and low-rise condos on Bloor Street at the Kingsway in Toronto means Richmond Road is on its way to becoming the strongest urban street in the city.
Peter Hume, chairman of Ottawa Council's planning and environment committee, says Westboro Station is exactly what cities need to build more of.
Hume, who is also president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, says he has complained for years about monolithic, poorly designed buildings that add nothing positive to the city's urban environment. But this kind of better design could reduce neighbourhood opposition to development by providing more visual interest, he says.
"I think it's quite appealing. It's the type of thing we want to promote. If we had more of this, intensification (building more on less land) would have a better reception."
The success of Westboro Station also makes sense to one of the city's top real estate analysts. "They have done a superb job in design and marketing and have got one of the hottest locations in Ottawa," says Brian Card, president of the CRG Consulting.
"You will be very successful if you give people what they want and do it well. This is a prime example."
A couple of retired teachers and a young policy analyst couldn't agree more.
Sheila Brady is the Citizen's Homes editor. You can reach her at sbrady@thecitizen.canwest.com of 613-596-3709.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008
Davis137
12-04-2008, 10:52 PM
Wish I could afford property like the kind found in buildings like this (I was stupid with my credit up until about a year ago, buying hobby stuff and electronics that I didn't really need, etc). If the market stablizes though, the misses and I might be able to afford a down payment on something like this in a couple of years...
Davis137
12-19-2008, 01:25 AM
Drove by here last night, and it looked like they had the building topped out, and were working on the roof. There was also a lot of progress on the cladding and windows...the podium looked almost totally enclosed, and they were preparing the 3rd and 4th floors for windows and doors...
Mille Sabords
01-19-2009, 01:58 PM
The new Westboro skyline is now well established. The entryway to the main drag is firmly framed by the two towers, Exchange and WS1. Cladding is almost completed on the storefronts and through an opening in the fencing we can see what they will look like. What a great little project this is.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/Janvier2009028.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/Janvier2009027.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/Janvier2009024.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/Janvier2009025.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Ottawa/Janvier2009026.jpg
harls
01-19-2009, 02:15 PM
You've been on a photo update tear - thanks for these!!
Davis137
01-19-2009, 02:59 PM
Yeah, he beat me to it....lol
O-Town Hockey
01-20-2009, 03:35 AM
A friend of mine purchased in Westboro Station and apparently they are working so fast that her move-in date is now 1 month earlier than previously stated. It would be really dangerous for me to live that close to The Works....mmmm.
Davis137
01-21-2009, 10:33 PM
/\/\/\/\ What he said....The Works is Dangerous...Steam Whistle on tap, sweet potato fries, and all of those crazy burgers....mmmmm
Still, both my wife and I LOVE the Foolish Chicken on Holland...we've NEVER been disappointed in their food...
Kitchissippi
01-22-2009, 05:57 PM
As I can see this project going up from my window, I'm surprised the crane hasn't come down and is still busy lifting stuff as I write. I would have thought they'd switch to an external elevator by now. I think one of the things holding up other highrise projects is the limited number of licensed crane operators in the city.
On a slightly off topic note, anyone noticed the new funky streetlights going up in Wellington West farther up the street? They look cool, makes the Westboro streetscaping look old. The paving stones on the blocks near the new GCTC look particularly interesting, too, with multi-coloured/sized stones instead of the usual boring red bricks.
When the Works opened I thought I would go there a lot, but it gets expensive when a burger and a beer sets you back more than 20 bucks. It's hard to beat their onion rings though.
highdensitysprawl
01-22-2009, 06:14 PM
When the Works opened I thought I would go there a lot, but it gets expensive when a burger and a beer sets you back more than 20 bucks. It's hard to beat their onion rings though.
The burgers are expensive IMHO. Other than the meat, the bun is pretty non-descript and the fries aren't that great. The onion rings are great and some of the combos of flavours are good. They have steamwhistle and I think Beau's (one of my fave's) which is good.
It is not a cheap place for a meal.
Zach6668
01-22-2009, 07:05 PM
The burgers are expensive IMHO. Other than the meat, the bun is pretty non-descript and the fries aren't that great. The onion rings are great and some of the combos of flavours are good. They have steamwhistle and I think Beau's (one of my fave's) which is good.
It is not a cheap place for a meal.
Oh man. I just found this place's website. I've been in Ottawa since August and haven't heard of it.
Why do they not have one in the market??????
waterloowarrior
02-18-2009, 03:01 AM
southfacing... looking good
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3282485064_1be1f6244c_o.jpg
Mille Sabords
03-31-2009, 05:18 PM
Taking shape and looking sharp! This is really a great building. It has a lot more texture than I expected, when you see it up close.
Here's a pictorial walkabout (by me):
First, the least-known of the views and probably the most urban of them all, from Byron:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009024.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009026.jpg
Still from Byron, the street-level work-live units:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009022.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009020.jpg
Some of the varied cladding on the upper storeys that adds to the "texture" I referred to:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009023.jpg
Coming around to Richmond:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009021.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009018.jpg
And the entire street frame, formed by The Exhange and WS1:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009017.jpg
Future retail space:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009016.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009015.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009014.jpg
And the street frame from the other end, the classic view, the easterner's vantage point, the Starbucker's sight line:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t30/CortinaFan/Condos/OttawaMarch2009012.jpg
waterloowarrior
04-01-2009, 06:36 AM
Nice pics mille... I like the glass
southfacing
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3392991771_73a326a862.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3393812292_d5b1784e43.jpg?v=0
Davis137
04-04-2009, 04:21 AM
This building looks a lot "beefier" with the balconies and other stuff being put together now...it doesn't look as slender as it did in the older pics. Can't wait until they start PH 2, as well as the section the bridges the 2 towers together...Thanks for the update pics Mille!
Davis137
04-04-2009, 04:08 PM
Some more pics to add to the pile...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1325.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Drivesthebeast/DSCF1327.jpg
Wanted to get shots from more angles today, but there was too much traffic, and I didn't want to get soaked...I'll get better pics this coming week...
Kitchissippi
04-10-2009, 12:12 AM
Looks like Phase 2 is getting a bit of a head start. They've demolished and cleared the middle of the block.
:previous:
I think they did that last Friday.
Some more pictures, taken by me this afternoon.
From the Byron tramway park:
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation01_april2009.jpg
Framing the gateway to Westboro with the Exchange.
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation02_april2009.jpg
I kind of wish they'd relocate Golden to approximately where I was standing, thus making a public square that could be used for Westfest, a farmer's market and other community events and as a community gathering place.
From across the street at the pharmacy:
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation03_april2009.jpg
The location of the former Bourke's ignition and Retrotown Music, due to be the low-rise interconnecting structure and plaza between Phase I and II:
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation04_april2009.jpg
The old side of the existing brick buildings. It's sad that these are to go... too bad they couldn't have been incorporated into Phase II somehow.
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation05_april2009.jpg
Davis137
04-25-2009, 12:39 AM
It'll be cool to see the center portion of the complex and the 2nd tower start construction in the near future...
Mille Sabords
04-25-2009, 01:30 AM
The old side of the existing brick buildings. It's sad that these are to go... too bad they couldn't have been incorporated into Phase II somehow.
http://sites.google.com/site/ottawadado/files/westborostation05_april2009.jpg
It's always neat to see pieces of urban archaeology uncovered by this type of redevelopment. That painted wall sign must've been a pleasant discovery when they took down the buildings in the middle of the block.
jcollins
04-26-2009, 04:38 PM
It'll be cool to see the center portion of the complex and the 2nd tower start construction in the near future...
Whats the timeline for the 2nd tower? As soon as phase one is done?
It's always neat to see pieces of urban archaeology uncovered by this type of redevelopment. That painted wall sign must've been a pleasant discovery when they took down the buildings in the middle of the block.
It wasn't a surprise. It was already visible - just difficult to see. The Paddle Shack and Tall Tree Cycles used to be accessed via an alley that was framed on one side by that wall. Now that the building that used to be beside it has been demolished the wall is more readily visible.
Mille Sabords
05-08-2009, 08:22 PM
From their website it looks as though they've split the Phase II residences into two phases, so there is now a Phase II and a Phase III.
Davis137
05-10-2009, 02:20 AM
Yeah, with 3 towers total now...though they are all low-mid rise only...
Kitchissippi
05-22-2009, 09:26 PM
I just saw the latest render printed in the Westfest Program and I was a bit disappointed. Something about the design has gotten watered down. The terracing has become less frequent and more abrupt, and with the building cut in two, it gives the development a more vertical appearance. I liked the u-shaped design a lot more, with the gradual stepping that gave the Richmond facade a Habitat-like look, and the horizontal quality that contrasted nicely with Phase I.
rocketphish
06-04-2009, 02:29 AM
The first occupant of Westboro Station is moving in this week... It's Bridgehead Coffee. I wonder if the paint is even dry yet?
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/omnivore/archive/2009/05/22/bridgehead-expands-to-10th-location-and-develops-artisan-bread-line.aspx
http://cbc.ca/ottawa/media/audio/ottawamorning/20090603java.ram
Kitchissippi
06-06-2009, 02:11 PM
Had my coffee there this morning. The patio is nice, but I think the shaded northern exposure will limit its morning use to the warmest days.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3599946931_14b810b24a_o.jpg
harls
06-06-2009, 08:42 PM
Did they close the other location next to MEC?
Kitchissippi
06-07-2009, 01:27 AM
I think they are keeping it open at least until the lease runs out, which could be a while still. I think this new location is a bit too far from the action at the moment and is more of a deliberate destination whereas the old location is more incidental, catering to the shopping crowd.
waterloowarrior
06-17-2009, 03:52 AM
Realtor Matt Richling has these photos and the latest price list on his blog (http://www.mattrichling.com/2009/06/westboro-station/)
http://www.mattrichling.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/p6130771.jpg
http://www.mattrichling.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/p6130767.jpg
rocketphish
06-22-2009, 03:04 PM
Southfacing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3576336987/) took this nice aerial shot last month:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3576336987_a512a367e7.jpg
rocketphish
06-30-2009, 05:00 PM
The Westboro Station Phase II siteplan has now been posted on the City's website (http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7ONDOT):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/3675038887_0f5e6b026b_o_d.jpg
And the corresponding rendering has been posted on the Westboro Station site (http://www.westborostation.com):
Old rendering (single u-shaped tower):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3675095567_93b8f8144f_o_d.jpg
New rendering (two separate towers):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3675095427_c84deb0420_o_d.jpg
It looks more boxy and generally less interesting but removal of the middle portion of interlink section (2/3 of it is still there) might provide more sunlight in the winter to the street. I can't say I like the large column features at floors 5&6 (the balcony thing) nor the upward extension of the beige cladding to the 6th and 7th floors. Not really an improvement in my mind.
Ironically, on their website is an article by Kelly Egan complaining about ruining Westboro with beige bricks. Given the original design, I can see why it was posted since it was quite striking. But the new one... lots more beige.
http://www.westborostation.com/pdf/press.pdf
Davis137
07-01-2009, 02:03 PM
I'm not a huge fan of all the beige either, but at least the city and the ward allowed more low-mid rises to be built in the firstplace...
rocketphish
09-05-2009, 01:54 AM
New renderings of the latest design. Notice the subtle changes from the last one? And with all those trees in the background, you'd hardly think there was a neighbourhood back there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3888005463_fa47832a10_o_d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3888772586_d5a9ee9226_o_d.jpg
Ottawan
09-06-2009, 08:14 PM
Yet more beige. I hope they actually have a "Westboro Station" sign like that that copies the London Underground, it's an interesting feature.
RSharpe
01-05-2010, 05:33 PM
Have there been any updates to Phase II?
Skipper
01-09-2010, 09:44 AM
I walked by last night and noticed that the restaurant to the East of Westboro Station I closed in December, and that the MIV Photography has moved into Westboro Station I.
Talked to someone in sales' office last year and construction was to begin in January....
Davis137
01-13-2010, 10:57 AM
I think the Curves location and some other buisnesses on the Byron side of that city block have moved on, or are about to soon...wonder if they will be knocking down the rest of the block to make construction space for the new towers...
Kitchissippi
01-31-2010, 06:45 PM
Construction fencing around the site was put up in the last couple of days.
ac888yow
02-01-2010, 01:00 PM
I was in Phase I over the weekend to look at a couple of investment opportunities. All I have to say is, wow, the design, finish, and maintenance of this building is pretty dreadful. I'm referring mostly to the common areas.
RSharpe
02-01-2010, 04:45 PM
I was in Phase I over the weekend to look at a couple of investment opportunities. All I have to say is, wow, the design, finish, and maintenance of this building is pretty dreadful. I'm referring mostly to the common areas.
Do you have any details or pictures to illustrate your point?
Thanks
ac888yow
02-01-2010, 07:41 PM
The main entrance/lobby is dreadful. As the first impression guests get of the building, they couldn't have executed it more poorly. I actually thought I had entered via a service entrance.
The main hallways on each floor 'seem' narrow and poorly designed. By poorly designed I mean that clusters of units are separated/isolated from the main hallway/elevators by an extra door. The salesperson said this was due to fire code, but I've never seen that anywhere else. This might sound like a good thing (and perhaps from a noise standpoint it is), but the resulting mini-hallway serving those units is a very tiny space that would send a claustrophobe running for the hills. Moving/deliveries would be more difficult than normal due to the extra door and this small space, and that extra door would surely become annoying if you had to use it every single day.
The maintenance of the building also appeared horrendous. There was dirt everywhere (floors, elevator walls, etc.) and to varying degrees. Definitely not something to be proud of. The condo corp. was just recently registered, so one hopes that they solve the cleanliness isue soon.
In all, I went in with high hopes, and left being thoroughly underwhelmed (and also relieved in that I nearly purchased a unit in there years ago for my personal use but didn't).
waterloowarrior
02-03-2010, 05:18 PM
David Tyner has some photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyner/tags/westboro/) of some of the demolition happening along Roosevelt
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4327372164_486d3f7c54.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4326637311_2672b71f90.jpg
Kitchissippi
02-05-2010, 04:09 PM
The last of the old buildings was torn down today. Big pile of rubble. It's interesting to see it as an open space. The pharmacy and Starbucks should enjoy the sunshine while it lasts :)
waterloowarrior
03-01-2010, 06:15 PM
digging has commenced
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4398430143_0ef4843593_b.jpg
Davis137
03-04-2010, 02:56 AM
Nice to see some progress on this thing now...
jcollins
03-04-2010, 01:06 PM
So are they splitting this side into two halfs, or just doing it all at once?
waterloowarrior
03-06-2010, 05:00 PM
Ross Dunn flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4409466297_d9aeb74666.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81556146@N00/4409466297/
waterloowarrior
03-09-2010, 08:06 PM
Let the digging begin... looks like there is some shoring there too!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4420664734_a61b56cf4f.jpg
fishbowl_fish flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fishbowl_fish/4420664734/
Kitchissippi
03-09-2010, 10:52 PM
The blasting started yesterday. It was really interesting to be in the Starbucks across the street when a charge went off, coffee cups jumping on the tables and simultaneous expletives all around. I'd hate to be on my dentist's chair on the other side of Byron while this is going on, luckily my check up isn't till May :)
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