[waterloowarrior]

new plan for middle area

http://www.richcraft.com/pdg/images/sitemap.jpg

old master plan, not sure how much is in effect still

http://wwuploads.googlepages.com/placedesgouv.jpg


http://wwuploads.googlepages.com/placeDGdescrip.jpg



website
http://www.richcraft.com/pdg


1000 Place des Gouverneurs...

Place Des Gouverneurs continues to flourish with the unveiling of 1000 Place Des Gouverneurs Ottawa’s first major planned condo community continues to grow with the unveiling of 1000 Place Des Gouverneurs. The new 14-storey building will feature 124 units from 513 sq.ft. to 1298 sq.ft.

All the units will have balconies and some of the units will have outdoor living spaces up to 600 sq.ft.

The 14th floor will have a full fitness facility as well as an outdoor terrace for residents to enjoy, with sitting and BBQ areas.
Place Des Gouverneurs truly reflects the new outlook of Smart Growth & New Urbanism.







http://www.richcraft.com/pdg/images/images.jpg

[m0nkyman]

Ooof. That's not pretty.
Compare and contrast with Edmonton's Century Park. (http://www.centurypark.ca/)

[Cre47]

How many buildings are completed there. I know that as of June 2007, there was at least three of the buildings completed.

[c_speed3108]

How many buildings are completed there. I know that as of June 2007, there was at least three of the buildings completed.

There were 3. Two buildings were built simultaneously while the third followed at a slight time stagger. The third building appeared to have many vacant units...and still seems to have some. I am not sure if they went ahead and built it without a huge number of sales or something weird. Richcraft was hawking units on grapevine for a while.

The building in the paper this morning will be the forth. It seems to be a very different design so perhaps Richcraft is changing their plans for the development which could be good. The plans look like a smaller, nicer version of those huge multi-building social development projects in NYC from the 60's with usually over a dozen similar looking buildings surrounded by trees and weird streets that break the usual Manhattan grid....

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Ooof. That's not pretty.
Compare and contrast with Edmonton's Century Park. (http://www.centurypark.ca/)

Now why can't someone in Ottawa propose something like that?! :(

[m0nkyman]

Well, for one thing, Century Park is going to be at the end of an honest to goodness LRT line...

Of course, the Strathearn proposal (http://www.strathearnrejuvenation.ca/) which was just passed by Edmonton city council this week is even nicer... especially compared to the LeBreton redevelopment which would be it's corollary.

Sad when Edmonton is getting better projects than Ottawa. ;)

[Kitchissippi]

There were 3. Two buildings were built simultaneously while the third followed at a slight time stagger. The third building appeared to have many vacant units...and still seems to have some. I am not sure if they went ahead and built it without a huge number of sales or something weird.

Those three buildings share the same foundations and underground garage, and have to be under one condominium corporation. I know someone who lives there and they could not get incorporated until the third building was completed.

Some of those units were not bad value, with Cyrville station just a few steps from the front door. I find the buildings a little close to each other and the units that face into each other lack privacy. The ones looking out on to the Queensway are great, even the first floor is quite high off the ground.

Looks like they're doing a departure from the ersatz French Provincial architecture, but still boring. Too bad that site would have been fantastic for a few signature towers that make a design statement as you drive in from Montreal. Something like the Absolute condo towers (http://www.world-architects.com/portal/pics/_cache/images/39546_mad_p4.2.jpg) in Mississauga, perhaps?

[movebyleap]

Those buildings are soooo BORING! I have to go past them every morning and, believe me, 3 are MORE than enough! What are they thinking by trying to put 10 zillion identical strucures at various angles? VERY uninspired!

[Ottawade]

It looks kind of like some upscale housing projects. Also nothing on that master plan looks half as good as the other building in the ad with the galleria.

[waterloowarrior]

It looks kind of like some upscale housing projects. Also nothing on that master plan looks half as good as the other building in the ad with the galleria.

I wonder where 1000 Place des Gouverneurs will be on the site.... maybe near Ogilvie, since those buildings on the master plan look to be at a similar height.

[c_speed3108]

Those three buildings share the same foundations and underground garage, and have to be under one condominium corporation. I know someone who lives there and they could not get incorporated until the third building was completed.


Interesting....I had looked at that on the emaps app on the city web site. Originally they had some sort of weird property line touching the outer edge of the site and swing in around the first two buildings and excluding the third. It did have a condo corp #. Later it was modified to box in all three buildings instead of the L-like shape.


Some of those units were not bad value, with Cyrville station just a few steps from the front door. I find the buildings a little close to each other and the units that face into each other lack privacy. The ones looking out on to the Queensway are great, even the first floor is quite high off the ground.


They are pretty decent units. Decent square footage for the price. That is one thing I do like about Claridge as well.

It would have been nice if they could have included some other stuff around the project...perhaps fronting on to Cyrville Road or something. Maybe some retail or whatever. There is very little around there.

[Deez]

Of course, the Strathearn proposal (http://www.strathearnrejuvenation.ca/) which was just passed by Edmonton city council this week is even nicer... especially compared to the LeBreton redevelopment which would be it's corollary.


There's still hope for Lebreton depending on what developers propose for the remainder of the site. Current plans are just guidelines drawn up by the NCC.

Speaking of which...I wonder when the next phase of tendering will begin...

[clynnog]

Interesting....I had looked at that on the emaps app on the city web site. Originally they had some sort of weird property line touching the outer edge of the site and swing in around the first two buildings and excluding the third. It did have a condo corp #. Later it was modified to box in all three buildings instead of the L-like shape.



Is there a link for the emaps application for the public to view?...I couldn't find it on the City web site.

[c_speed3108]

Is there a link for the emaps application for the public to view?...I couldn't find it on the City web site.


Just click "maps" under "Popular Topics" on the front page of the City site, then click on "emap" on the side menu

http://apps104.ottawa.ca/emap/

Its cool..you can see all the old rights-of-ways, property boundaries, even what someones trash collection day is.

[clynnog]

Just click "maps" under "Popular Topics" on the front page of the City site, then click on "emap" on the side menu

http://apps104.ottawa.ca/emap/



Thanks for the link..unfortunately it wasn't what I was looking for....I've used your link in the past. What I was looking for was a website where you can see the status of various development applications, public comments, agency comments etc. I believe one poster said that the City was going to be having this soon(ish) online for everybody to see.

[waterloowarrior]

Thanks for the link..unfortunately it wasn't what I was looking for....I've used your link in the past. What I was looking for was a website where you can see the status of various development applications, public comments, agency comments etc. I believe one poster said that the City was going to be having this soon(ish) online for everybody to see.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3321266&postcount=218

[Mille Sabords]

Well, for one thing, Century Park is going to be at the end of an honest to goodness LRT line...

Sad when Edmonton is getting better projects than Ottawa. ;)

Meh. I wouldn't say Century Park is all that great. It's "density" in a suburban setting, look at the site plan. LRT station or not, it's still not an urbane development. It's dense suburbia.

[Mille Sabords]

I find the buildings a little close to each other and the units that face into each other lack privacy. The ones looking out on to the Queensway are great, even the first floor is quite high off the ground.

Looks like they're doing a departure from the ersatz French Provincial architecture, but still boring. Too bad that site would have been fantastic for a few signature towers that make a design statement as you drive in from Montreal. Something like the Absolute condo towers (http://www.world-architects.com/portal/pics/_cache/images/39546_mad_p4.2.jpg) in Mississauga, perhaps?

Personally, I really like the French Provincial architecture of the first three buildings. I'm sad to see that go. At least there was some building texture to look at. The new tower looks like a copy of Brigil's out in Orleans.

As for the buildings being too close together... I find them too far apart, and too far from the street. Those U-shaped courtyards they form are just an excuse to have more grass. Value for money, yes, but I wouldn't live there.

[Ottawade]

Sadly it's price, not aesthetics, that are currently driving my potential purchases and this spot is actually pretty nice. Given that you have St. Laurent and a bunch of grocery stores within walking distance and the transitway (did someone say train?) is right there its not a half bad area. I still prefer right in the heart of centertown, but I'd argue you are better off here than how the neighborhood on Lebreton Flats.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

If price is such a big deal for so many people, why not apartments? There are tonnes of really nice apartments that can be found in all urban areas of Ottawa.

Unique and lively neighbourhoods just a few blocks away, transit is almost always nearby, big trees, real sidewalks, houses and apartments that don't all look the same, real wood-burning fireplaces, close to downtown, and many still have a fair amount of space for a decent price. What's not to love? ;) :P

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

but I'd argue you are better off here than how the neighborhood on Lebreton Flats.

I have a feeling that I'll be an old man by the time that "neighbourhood" is finished...

[c_speed3108]

I think houses fit the whole "American/Canadian Dream"

Also I think condo fees scare people away too.

Third is that single family homes have the benefit of not sharing walls with other people who may make noise at different times than you.

I can say it is funny. As someone who grew up in the "nothing to do", burbs many of my friends have purchased homes in these areas. I think single family homes (possible new) are peoples dreams. I have had many friends make VERY negaitve comments about the thoughts of raising children further into the city.

"Yes you can send your kids to the school on Elgin street with the bars next door"

"Drug addicts"

"homeless/pan handles"

"noise"

"pollution"

"schools that don't rate as well"


etc.....

[Mille Sabords]

I think houses fit the whole "American/Canadian Dream"

Also I think condo fees scare people away too.

Third is that single family homes have the benefit of not sharing walls with other people who may make noise at different times than you.

I can say it is funny. As someone who grew up in the "nothing to do", burbs many of my friends have purchased homes in these areas. I think single family homes (possible new) are peoples dreams. I have had many friends make VERY negaitve comments about the thoughts of raising children further into the city.

"Yes you can send your kids to the school on Elgin street with the bars next door"

"Drug addicts"

"homeless/pan handles"

"noise"

"pollution"

"schools that don't rate as well"


etc.....


I've heard all those things too. When we had our first baby, some people were aghast that we'd be raising a child in a condo. But that's the norm pretty much around the world.

The whole thing for me is this: how much space do you really need indoors and for what? How much work do you really want to be obligated to do on your house and its grounds? Me, I prefer spending time with my kid instead of cutting grass. So the tradeoff is: if there's stuff enough around my place I can access quickly, then I don't need to pay for it myself. There's a park down the street, I don't need a back yard. There's a pool hall down the street, I don't need a pool table in my basement. (I actually prefer to GO OUT to play pool and be away from the house... so a smaller space kinda leads me that way anyway).

As for the druggies and the dangers of downtown... come on, we're not talking Detroit here. I realize that's what some people will say and I don't want to debate invisible debaters, but to think that downtown Ottawa is unsafe for kids sounds kinda paranoid...

I take my little 3-year-old to the Market for groceries all the time. She loves the crowds, the window displays, the horse-pulled carriages, the people playing guitar on the street, she gets a much bigger charge out of that than going to the mega-Loblaws on Rideau, which we sometimes have to do. I know for seeing it with my own eyes. It is more work for the parents but it's worth its weight in gold in terms of having a child that is aware, early on, about the world that surrounds her in all its aspects. I know one day she'll ask me why there's homeless people and why there's people who are high on the street - I've been rehearsing my answers and as a dad, I'd rather be the one answering those questions head-on. Mostly because, in the end, it's a tiny minority of people who are in such dire need and kids have to learn that from a young age, see with their eyes what that side of human reality looks like, and be less innocent about it as they grow up. But I've digressed here.

[m0nkyman]

Meh. I wouldn't say Century Park is all that great. It's "density" in a suburban setting, look at the site plan. LRT station or not, it's still not an urbane development. It's dense suburbia.

Yes. And it's located in deepest suburbia. It's appropriate for where it is, and is a different model than urban living, and it's a different model than SFD's in suburbia.

It won't appeal to either you or me, as we are both die hard urbanites, but it does appeal to a lot of people who don't want to live in the city and like the suburbs but do want this kind of density and access to transit.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

I think houses fit the whole "American/Canadian Dream"

Also I think condo fees scare people away too.

Third is that single family homes have the benefit of not sharing walls with other people who may make noise at different times than you.

I can say it is funny. As someone who grew up in the "nothing to do", burbs many of my friends have purchased homes in these areas. I think single family homes (possible new) are peoples dreams. I have had many friends make VERY negaitve comments about the thoughts of raising children further into the city.

"Yes you can send your kids to the school on Elgin street with the bars next door"

"Drug addicts"

"homeless/pan handles"

"noise"

"pollution"

"schools that don't rate as well"


etc.....

Like they say, ignorance is bliss.

Many people who have negative things to say about downtown Ottawa either haven't been downtown, haven't been to other world cities, or are basing their opinion on a single incident that happened in another city.

They make it sound absolutely horrible, or you can put it like this:

"I'm sending my kids to Lisgar, which is one of the highest rated schools in the region and is near many upscale shops, sights and restaurants."

"Interesting people of all ages"

"people actually stopping to enjoy life"

"live music in the streets"

"a vibrant neighbourhood"


It all boils down to ignorance and perspective. ;)

[c_speed3108]

Like they say, ignorance is bliss.

Many people who have negative things to say about downtown Ottawa either haven't been downtown, haven't been to other world cities, or are basing their opinion on a single incident that happened in another city.

They make it sound absolutely horrible, or you can put it like this:

"I'm sending my kids to Lisgar, which is one of the highest rated schools in the region and is near many upscale shops, sights and restaurants."

"Interesting people of all ages"

"people actually stopping to enjoy life"

"live music in the streets"

"a vibrant neighbourhood"


It all boils down to ignorance and perspective. ;)

Love it you! You should work for a political party...I have the feeling you can spin anything!

That said, today the CBD office building I work in proposed keeping all washrooms locked 24x7 and giving everyone that works in it keys....:slob:


My personal feeling is that there is nothing wrong with suburbs as a concept. The homes and land are much cheaper/ sq foot. They cost the city much less in things like snow clearing then higher density areas since they just have to push it to the side instead of haul it way. It is no secret that prior to amalgamation many of the suburbs had lots of money with large reserve funds while the old City of Ottawa was carrying a huge debt. Cumberland's reserve fund paid for Petrie Island Beech. There are lots of people that like the lower density. What we need to focus on is how to build better suburbs with better integration of residential areas with business areas, fast transit to downtown, and sidewalks might be a nice to have.

There was an article in the Orleans paper that I have been meaning to post that talked about how to turn (Orleans specifically) into "the best suburb", I have not managed to find a copy online yet. I will try and scan it or something one day and post..

[Ottawade]

If price is such a big deal for so many people, why not apartments? There are tonnes of really nice apartments that can be found in all urban areas of Ottawa.

Unique and lively neighbourhoods just a few blocks away, transit is almost always nearby, big trees, real sidewalks, houses and apartments that don't all look the same, real wood-burning fireplaces, close to downtown, and many still have a fair amount of space for a decent price. What's not to love? ;) :P

This is actually exactly what I'm doing for the moment.

[waterloowarrior]

new website for PDG
(http://www.richcraft.com/pdg/)
Place Des Gouverneurs continues to flourish with the unveiling of 1000 Place Des Gouverneurs Ottawa’s first major planned condo community continues to grow with the unveiling of 1000 Place Des Gouverneurs. The new 14-storey building will feature 124 units from 513 sq.ft. to 1298 sq.ft.

All the units will have balconies and some of the units will have outdoor living spaces up to 600 sq.ft.

The 14th floor will have a full fitness facility as well as an outdoor terrace for residents to enjoy, with sitting and BBQ areas.
Place Des Gouverneurs truly reflects the new outlook of Smart Growth & New Urbanism.
three new towers..... interesting shift from the original design! I still don't like the site plan though - so much wasted space, very suburban design, basically 'towers in the park'






http://www.richcraft.com/pdg/images/images.jpg





http://www.richcraft.com/pdg/images/sitemap.jpg

[waterloowarrior]

from Richcraft's new site... Sept 08

http://www.richcraft.com/images/aerials/pdg.jpg