Nuovo | 58.5m | 20fl | Completed

[PokerPukka]

Here's Domicile's proposal for an 18-storey condo at the corner of Rochester and Pamilla.
It has three townhouses facing Pamilla and storefronts facing Rochester.
Interestingly, the land is directly next to the office of Domicile's lead architect for the project.

Full article (courtesy of Darwin): http://www.westsideaction.com/condomania-on-carling-domicile-joins-in/

View from Rochester and Carling...
http://www.westsideaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/street-level-elevation.jpg

View from Pamilla...
http://www.westsideaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/elevation-from-pamilla-hobins-lot.jpg

[rocketphish]

I think it's ridiculous that they had to setback the 3rd to 6th floors along Rochester just to maintain the required distance from the hydro wires. Bury the darn things already! Then they could increase the floorspace on those units and improve their view. Would you want to buy one of those units having all that wiring right outside your window? Holy EMF batman.

[rocketphish]

Another great overview of the area showing all the active and likely upcoming proposals:

http://www.westsideaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/with-other-tall-bldgs-in-place.jpg
from http://www.westsideaction.com

[Marcus CLS]

Further to a comment I placed on the general update / rumour thread the sales centre under construction at 495 Preston street is Domicile. It must be for the Rochester location.

[J.OT13]

I forgot about this one. With most of Domiciles buildings nearly complete or U/C, I guess it is time to launch a new one.

[kevinbottawa]

John Doran mentioned this one when he spoke at Creative Mornings. He called it "Nuvo" (not sure about the spelling). He said whatever's planned for the ground level will be Paris inspired. Maybe a coffee shop or something. He didn't specify.

[J.OT13]

John Doran mentioned this one when he spoke at Creative Mornings. He called it "Nuvo" (not sure about the spelling). He said whatever's planned for the ground level will be Paris inspired. Maybe a coffee shop or something. He didn't specify.

I sure hope the guy doesn't consider Bridgehead, Starbucks or God forbid a Tim's, as Paris inspired.

Anyway, other than a coffee shop, I can't figure out what could be Paris inspired. An LCBO (wine)? a bakery? cheese? art nouveau?

Can't think of anything Paris inspired that would be unique to Ottawa.

[S-Man]

Parisians have been known to walk down the street to buy groceries and booze.

That is the Parisian flair I would like to see injected into the woefully underserviced Carling-Preston area. They need to talk grocery!

(and booze!):tup:

[citydwlr]

Here's a more recent (but still "early"-stage) rendering of what Domicile has planned for this place (It was on the Citizen website apparently back in May):

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/homes/cms/binary/8366363.jpg?size=620x400s
(via Ottawa Citizen (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/homes/story.html?id=8366363))

I'm not a fan of the orange...or the yellow...I think I'd like it better if the orange was black. Anyway, we'll see if it stays that way...

[gjhall]

I'm not a fan of the orange...or the yellow...I think I'd like it better if the orange was black. Anyway, we'll see if it stays that way...

but Orange is the New Black! :cheers:

[citydwlr]

but Orange is the New Black! :cheers:

:haha: I walked right into that one!

[rocketphish]

Domicile's proposed development is for an 18-storey (58.223 m) mixed-use building containing commercial uses at grade and residential apartment units above, featuring an indoor / outdoor amenity space on the roof. In total, the building will contain approximately 127 apartment units, two (2) guest suites, and 362.32 m2 (3,900 sq. ft.) of leasable commercial space. The residential tower entrance will be located at the intersection of Rochester and Pamilla Streets, and will be set back substantially to accommodate a 59 m2 (635 sq. ft.) pedestrian plaza. Entrances to the commercial spaces will be directly off of Pamilla and Rochester Streets Three (3) levels of underground parking will be provided for the development.

Planning docs:
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__9JQYMC


Here are the latest renderings (April 2, 2013):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/9617173203_f6f5f9ec2e_o.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9620412516_7752d35230_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9620412290_939fc7362e_o.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9617172995_fd6fafef3c_o.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9620412284_392de51753_o.jpg

[kevinbottawa]

The old renderings looked a lot better. It's too bad at ground level, but overall it's not great. Maybe the design review panel butchered it.

[cityguy]

It's still in the early stages.

[OTSkyline]

I agree, the old renders looked better...

The building still looks good and it ok/nice artchitecturally but I just really don't like that bright orange...

If I would live here I would feel like I am walking into a traffic cone at night.

[Ottawan]

The old renderings looked a lot better. It's too bad at ground level, but overall it's not great. Maybe the design review panel butchered it.

I disagree - I much prefer the new design, it's less like a typical glass condo. I like the colour too (at least the redish part, the lighter orange I'm less sure about). Ottawa could use a little more colour!

[kwoldtimer]

I disagree - I much prefer the new design, it's less like a typical glass condo. I like the colour too (at least the redish part, the lighter orange I'm less sure about). Ottawa could use a little more colour!

That is true.

[Urbanarchit]

I disagree - I much prefer the new design, it's less like a typical glass condo. I like the colour too (at least the redish part, the lighter orange I'm less sure about). Ottawa could use a little more colour!

How about we get Toronto's 592 Sherbourne Street condos (http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/592-sherbourne-street) for the orange and red colouring?
http://urbantoronto.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/display-default/images/projects/5812/urbantoronto-5812-20328.jpg

[J.OT13]

The Toronto building is damn nice and if it would go somewhere in Ottawa, it would be in this area.

That said, I like both versions of the actual proposal; the first version needs more colour and the second needs more sculpting.

[gjhall]

That is true. hear hear!

[gjhall]

The old renderings looked a lot better. It's too bad at ground level, but overall it's not great. Maybe the design review panel butchered it.

I agree, the old renders looked better...


You guys sound like a bunch of hipsters..."They're first album was better."

The design has evolved from what was really a sketch and amongst other improvements, now it's more colourful.

[gjhall]

Interesting piece in New Home & Condo Guide this week: http://issuu.com/wall2wall/docs/enh_1613/1

Specifically this mention: "and will feature 4,500 sq. ft. of retail space on the ground floor, providing your daily grocery needs."

I wonder what they have in mind?

[Kitchissippi]

Specifically this mention: "and will feature 4,500 sq. ft. of retail space on the ground floor, providing your daily grocery needs."

I wonder what they have in mind?

Well Shopper's Drug Mart can provide "daily grocery needs". They have milk, bread, eggs, frozen foods and some fresh produce like bananas and onions. This area is definitely ripe for one :)

[J.OT13]

Well, 4,500 square feet is much too small for an actual grocery store. Maybe a Farm Boy?

[S-Man]

There are smaller-format stores I hear about in other, trendier Canadian cities, but....

I fear it might be a Shoppers. Any grocery is good, however. The only food-buying places near that is Abbas Grocery on Bell St. South and Dirienzo's on Beech (and those are hyper-local in terms of customers)

[rocketphish]

Well, this project now has a name: Nuovo

http://www.nuovocondo.ca/

[Urbanarchit]

Well, this project now has a name: Nuovo

http://www.nuovocondo.ca/

Fitting for the neighbourhood, the Little Italy area will become nuovo once all these condos get built and people move in.

[umbria27]

Well, 4,500 square feet is much too small for an actual grocery store. Maybe a Farm Boy?

It's small, but not unreasonably so. From another thread I recall that the Loblaws on Isabella was 6000 square feet. Lose one aisle, half of the checkouts and you'd still have 90% of your grocery needs. We need more urban mini-groceries and fewer super stores.

The newer Shoppers Drug Marts are bigger than many downtown European grocery stores. It would be great to see Loblaws taking over more of the floor space of those.

[waterloowarrior]

sales centre is open, pricing/layouts are online at http://www.nuovocondo.ca/
http://domicile.ca/blog/tour-nuovo-sales-centre/

[teej1984]

The first mention in their features section is that the whole building/property is non-smoking! Interesting selling point.

[JackBauer24]

It's small, but not unreasonably so. From another thread I recall that the Loblaws on Isabella was 6000 square feet. Lose one aisle, half of the checkouts and you'd still have 90% of your grocery needs. We need more urban mini-groceries and fewer super stores.

The newer Shoppers Drug Marts are bigger than many downtown European grocery stores. It would be great to see Loblaws taking over more of the floor space of those.

I was at the sales office last night and the sales woman said that they are leaning towards a "marcado" grocery store - in her words, "an old style italian market place" similar to La Botega in the ByWard Market. Little Italy desperately needs a grocery store, while this type of market may help, it certainly won't fulfill all the grocery needs of the neighbourhood, plus factor in the projects isn't scheduled to be completed until 2017/2018 (and that's not taking into account the inevitable delays almost every new condo experiences).

[JackBauer24]

That is an interesting feature - one of the only condo buildings I know that has this.
I find Domicile, unlike most of the builders in the city, tend to brand their projects in such a fashion that appeals to a specific market group and they aren't afraid to loose potential business from other market segments by designing their projects to cater to that specific group. Case in point, the non-smoking feature - obvious health conscious people would love that, smokers would hate that.
And that seems to be the trend as of late - look at the projects that sell well, they have a specific target market in mind and they install suite and amenity features to appeal to that market. Those that have failed or are failing generally try to appeal to everyone.

The first mention in their features section is that the whole building/property is non-smoking! Interesting selling point.

[YOWetal]

sales centre is open, pricing/layouts are online at http://www.nuovocondo.ca/
http://domicile.ca/blog/tour-nuovo-sales-centre/

There are some nice layouts and prices seem decent. Anybody know if it is priced substantially cheaper than Claridge's Icon? Not the best immediate location but still close to lots of stuff and I think it could sell well.

[JackBauer24]

I picked up a price list when I was there last night....

Bachelors (or as they call them 'Pied a Terre Suites') haven't officially been released, but they were sub-400 sq. ft. (I believe the smallest I saw was 340 sq. ft.) and the sales woman said theyll start under $200k - so let's say $190k.
$/sq. ft. = $558

1 bedrooms - there seems to only be 2 styles, one is 609 sq. ft. (starting from $261,400) and the other 680 (starting at $266,600).
$/sq. ft. = $429 and $392

1 + Dens - there also seems to be only 2 styles, one 694 sq. ft. (starting from $304,800), and the other 683 (starting from $274,600).
$/sq. ft. = $439 and 402

2 bedrooms - there are 4 layouts, the smallest is 818 sq. ft. (starting from $338,800) and the biggest is 1065 sq. ft. (starting from $414,500).
$/sq. ft. = $414 and $389

2 bdrm + den - again, 2 different layouts; 1151 sq. ft. (starting from $471,000) and 1120 sq. ft. (starting from $447,100).
$/sq. ft. = $409 and $399

There are penthouses too, but price/square foot isn't a fair way of comparing them.

So all in all, a VERY competitive price/sq. ft. and their spec wasn't bad either. Better than what Hom offered, not quite as good at Soho, but considering the price - it's a very good value.

As for location, I would argue that this location is superior to Icon. Whether the parking garage entrance is on Carling or Preston, either street is going to be a severe pain in the you-know-what to enter/exit. Domicile's project isn't on Preston, but it's a short walk and there are more stores/shops being opened on Rochester and Beech.

There are some nice layouts and prices seem decent. Anybody know if it is priced substantially cheaper than Claridge's Icon? Not the best immediate location but still close to lots of stuff and I think it could sell well.

[YOWetal]

I picked up a price list when I was there last night....

Bachelors (or as they call them 'Pied a Terre Suites') haven't officially been released, but they were sub-400 sq. ft. (I believe the smallest I saw was 340 sq. ft.) and the sales woman said theyll start under $200k - so let's say $190k.
$/sq. ft. = $558

1 bedrooms - there seems to only be 2 styles, one is 609 sq. ft. (starting from $261,400) and the other 680 (starting at $266,600).
$/sq. ft. = $429 and $392

1 + Dens - there also seems to be only 2 styles, one 694 sq. ft. (starting from $304,800), and the other 683 (starting from $274,600).
$/sq. ft. = $439 and 402

2 bedrooms - there are 4 layouts, the smallest is 818 sq. ft. (starting from $338,800) and the biggest is 1065 sq. ft. (starting from $414,500).
$/sq. ft. = $414 and $389

2 bdrm + den - again, 2 different layouts; 1151 sq. ft. (starting from $471,000) and 1120 sq. ft. (starting from $447,100).
$/sq. ft. = $409 and $399

There are penthouses too, but price/square foot isn't a fair way of comparing them.

So all in all, a VERY competitive price/sq. ft. and their spec wasn't bad either. Better than what Hom offered, not quite as good at Soho, but considering the price - it's a very good value.

As for location, I would argue that this location is superior to Icon. Whether the parking garage entrance is on Carling or Preston, either street is going to be a severe pain in the you-know-what to enter/exit. Domicile's project isn't on Preston, but it's a short walk and there are more stores/shops being opened on Rochester and Beech.

Good analysis. You can't really think that this is a better location than Icon though? Icon is right on Preston, closer to the O Train stop and the southside has a guaranteed unimpeded view of the lake.

I mean what is a better location 200 Rideau etc towers or 700 Sussex or 90 George? After all 200 Rideau is still close to the market and the parking garage is more accessible.

[JackBauer24]

Comparing where Nuovo is going to be to where CP1-4 are isn't the best or fairest comparison.
Nuovo is on a quiet street, with very little vehicle traffic, within a 2 minute walk to restaurants, bars, night life, transit, etc...
CP 1-4 are located on one of the busiest streets in the city with constant pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

And contrarily, comparing 90 George to the Icon isn't that fair either -
90G is literally in the ByWard Market where you deal with more pedestrian traffic than vehicles. Once your leave the building you can pretty much walk to whatever you want within minutes.
The Icon is quite the opposite - located on the fringe of Little Italy, on its two busiest streets in terms of vehicle traffic. The closest things to it are a car dealership (which will be a condo eventually) and the O-train station.

As for the the views at the Icon - the south side will be nice, if you're into seeing a lake (personally, I couldn't care less about seeing a lake, especially if that lake is to the south, where the sun will be blistering your condo all day. And when I'm 1 of 40 others who have the identical view, I can't see it impacting my resale value all that much - but that's another topic). But all the other directions, which is 75% of the building, are just basic views of the city that most other condos offer - nothing that will increase or decrease the value or add/take away from the experience of your condo.

Rochester and Preston are about 200 m apart - less than a 2 minute walk; and that includes the O-Train station. So whatever is within walking distance of the Icon is also within walking distance of Nuovo.

Personally, assuming everything else is equal - I would prefer the quiet street just outside of where the hustle and bustle occurs, so I have the option of accessing that if I like, and also have the option of staying where it's quieter.

Good analysis. You can't really think that this is a better location than Icon though? Icon is right on Preston, closer to the O Train stop and the southside has a guaranteed unimpeded view of the lake.

I mean what is a better location 200 Rideau etc towers or 700 Sussex or 90 George? After all 200 Rideau is still close to the market and the parking garage is more accessible.

[YOWetal]

Comparing where Nuovo is going to be to where CP1-4 are isn't the best or fairest comparison.
Nuovo is on a quiet street, with very little vehicle traffic, within a 2 minute walk to restaurants, bars, night life, transit, etc...
CP 1-4 are located on one of the busiest streets in the city with constant pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

And contrarily, comparing 90 George to the Icon isn't that fair either -
90G is literally in the ByWard Market where you deal with more pedestrian traffic than vehicles. Once your leave the building you can pretty much walk to whatever you want within minutes.
The Icon is quite the opposite - located on the fringe of Little Italy, on its two busiest streets in terms of vehicle traffic. The closest things to it are a car dealership (which will be a condo eventually) and the O-train station.

As for the the views at the Icon - the south side will be nice, if you're into seeing a lake (personally, I couldn't care less about seeing a lake, especially if that lake is to the south, where the sun will be blistering your condo all day. And when I'm 1 of 40 others who have the identical view, I can't see it impacting my resale value all that much - but that's another topic). But all the other directions, which is 75% of the building, are just basic views of the city that most other condos offer - nothing that will increase or decrease the value or add/take away from the experience of your condo.

Rochester and Preston are about 200 m apart - less than a 2 minute walk; and that includes the O-Train station. So whatever is within walking distance of the Icon is also within walking distance of Nuovo.

Personally, assuming everything else is equal - I would prefer the quiet street just outside of where the hustle and bustle occurs, so I have the option of accessing that if I like, and also have the option of staying where it's quieter.

I still prefer Icon's location but you make a good point on the apples to oranges comparison. Prices in 90 George and 200 Rideau are practically the same now anyway!

Icon also has a web price list and for the most part they are not substantially higher than Nuovo adding more support for your assessment. Especially considering Icon is not selling well. Domicile is also of course worlds ahead of Claridge in quality.

[rocketphish]

No more orange! Yay!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10845959886_d3c8372b37_o.jpg

from: http://nuovocondo.ca/

[citydwlr]

Here's a pic of what Domicile envisions for the Mercato that JackBauer24 mentioned earlier (sorry for the size):

http://domicile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Interior-Resized.jpg

[citydwlr]

No more orange! Yay!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10845959886_d3c8372b37_o.jpg

from: http://nuovocondo.ca/

I was told that Domicile couldn't find an adequately priced/coloured brick for the orange part, so they changed it to black and added reddish-orange highlights around some of the windows.

Personally, I like the black/grey brick over the orange brick. Glad they changed it :)

[J.OT13]

Best of the three designs and all in all a superior design for Ottawa.

[MountainView]

All in all, it's pretty nice looking. I think it would look nicer in the 23-27 floor range (typical Ottawa height?). I feel that 18 floors makes it look a little stumpy with how wide it is (rectangle shape).

[McC]

They couldn't source brick-coloured brick? That's curious!

[Harley613]

I was @ Soho Champagne today and the girl said they 'just found out there will be a grocery store going in in the new Domicile building off Preston'.

[rocketphish]

http://domicile.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Lower-SE-Corner.jpg

from: http://domicile.ca/

[PokerPukka]

Mmmm... I can't wait to go shopping at the new "Food Gallery" :)

[Marcus CLS]

Wow, I realise the renderings are all about marketing but one rendering shows greenspace in the foreground which in fact is an NRcan parking lot and the rendering for the food gallery has patio tables that cannot exist given the site foot print and side walk space to the curb.

[Boxster]

No mention of any building amenities on their web site.

If it is "à la Domicile", there is probably not much.

[rocketphish]

An encouraging intensification sign in Little Italy

By Joanne Chianello, OTTAWA CITIZEN February 2, 2014 6:10 PM

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/cms/binary/9460301.jpg

OTTAWA — When Domicile builds its 18-storey condo in the Preston Street neighbourhood, the company hopes to put a little more “Italy” back into the area known as Corso Italia.

The developer has signed up Nicastro’s La Bottega for the ground floor of the building planned for the corner of Pamilla and Rochester streets in Little Italy. An institution in the ByWard Market for two decades, this is the first time La Bottega has accepted a developer’s offer to open a full-fledged second location.

Why did La Bottega bite this time? “Domicile gave us a really good deal,” says co-owner Pat Nicastro. “They made it very advantageous for us.”

And it’s just as advantageous for Domicile, whose president, John Doran, had vowed from the start to include a food retailer in the project. In marketing the popular store as part of the “Nuovo” development (“new” in Italian), Domicile is clearly looking to set its product apart from the forest of towers springing up across the city.

At 5,000 square feet, La Bottega won’t be a full-fledged supermarket — “We don’t sell toilet paper,” Nicastro says — but it will carry a wide range of food, from Italian staples like pasta and olive oil, cheese and meats, but also the basics like milk and eggs.

While the new store will include coffee and sandwich counters, as well as a sit-down café, “we’re retailers first,” says Nicastro, who’s a partner in the store with his cousin, Rocco Nicastro. “We’re still Italian grocers, that’s what we’ve always been.”

The fact that Nicastro is a food retailer may help Domicile with community relations. Nobody’s forcing the developer’s hand — once the city has approved a building permit, there’s no practical need to court neighbourhood goodwill. But it doesn’t hurt. In recent years, the residents in Little Italy have complained that Preston Street is filling up with bars and restaurants. It makes the area a fun place on weekends and evenings, but means locals often have to travel a ways to supply their day-to-day living needs.

So Nicastro says La Bottega Nuovo — as the new location is to be called — will likely carry more fresh produce than the ByWard store, which offers a small complement of Italian-cuisine herbs and vegetables (think basil, tomatoes, garlic).

For a residential builder to sign up a high-end groceteria may not be huge news (other than, perhaps, to Italophiles in the vicinity), but it signals an encouraging trend that’s seeing in-demand services locating in condos.

For years, residents have been told that intensification would bring interesting and necessary shops that would animate the streets of the inner city. Bring enough people into a neighbourhood, goes the theory, and the retailers will follow. But until recently, what we’ve mostly seen are controversially tall developments with, at best, humdrum retail. No one thinks of a Shoppers Drug Mart as “animating”.

But intensification is finally showing signs of reaching a critical point where the services we want — food retailing, in particular — are willing to move in. Consider that a 30,000-square-foot Sobeys is planned for the base of the Claridge project under construction in Centretown, an area that has minimal grocery options.

Late last year, an LCBO opened recently on the ground floor of one of Urban Capital’s buildings near Bank and Gladstone streets, marking the first time the liquor agency has set up shop in a condo complex.

That more interesting retailers are finally moving into tall buildings won’t erase people’s concerns over their height and density. It’s unlikely locals will welcome with open arms the 40-plus storey towers planned for Carling Avenue near Preston just because some cool stores open up on the ground level.

Still, it’s a relief to start seeing some of the positives — and not just the controversies — that come with intensification.

If this welcome trend is to continue, however, the city also has to step up its role in creating lively and livable street fronts, by ensuring that the sidewalk levels of buildings are inviting — no blank walls allowed — as well as setbacks after the first two or three storeys to minimize looming effects. And the city must insist on wider, pedestrian friendly sidewalks. (See Ashcroft’s Richmond Road development just west of Island Park Drive for a sad example of what happens when these principles are ignored.)

As well, if people are moving into the core, as the sprouting up of new business would suggest, then the city has to provide more public amenities, from libraries and recreation centres to parks and even daycares.

Because we can’t leave it up to the La Bottegas and the Sobeys of the world to make an intensified Ottawa not just a place where more of us live, but where life is better.

jchianello@ottawacitizen.com

twitter.com/jchianello
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Chianello+encouraging+intensification+sign+Little+Italy/9460237/story.html

[Abe Simpson]

An encouraging intensification sign in Little Italy

By Joanne Chianello, OTTAWA CITIZEN February 2, 2014 6:10 PM

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/cms/binary/9460301.jpg

OTTAWA — When Domicile builds its 18-storey condo in the Preston Street neighbourhood, the company hopes to put a little more “Italy” back into the area known as Corso Italia.

The developer has signed up Nicastro’s La Bottega for the ground floor of the building planned for the corner of Pamilla and Rochester streets in Little Italy. An institution in the ByWard Market for two decades, this is the first time La Bottega has accepted a developer’s offer to open a full-fledged second location.

Why did La Bottega bite this time? “Domicile gave us a really good deal,” says co-owner Pat Nicastro. “They made it very advantageous for us.”

And it’s just as advantageous for Domicile, whose president, John Doran, had vowed from the start to include a food retailer in the project. In marketing the popular store as part of the “Nuovo” development (“new” in Italian), Domicile is clearly looking to set its product apart from the forest of towers springing up across the city.

At 5,000 square feet, La Bottega won’t be a full-fledged supermarket — “We don’t sell toilet paper,” Nicastro says — but it will carry a wide range of food, from Italian staples like pasta and olive oil, cheese and meats, but also the basics like milk and eggs.

While the new store will include coffee and sandwich counters, as well as a sit-down café, “we’re retailers first,” says Nicastro, who’s a partner in the store with his cousin, Rocco Nicastro. “We’re still Italian grocers, that’s what we’ve always been.”

The fact that Nicastro is a food retailer may help Domicile with community relations. Nobody’s forcing the developer’s hand — once the city has approved a building permit, there’s no practical need to court neighbourhood goodwill. But it doesn’t hurt. In recent years, the residents in Little Italy have complained that Preston Street is filling up with bars and restaurants. It makes the area a fun place on weekends and evenings, but means locals often have to travel a ways to supply their day-to-day living needs.

So Nicastro says La Bottega Nuovo — as the new location is to be called — will likely carry more fresh produce than the ByWard store, which offers a small complement of Italian-cuisine herbs and vegetables (think basil, tomatoes, garlic).

For a residential builder to sign up a high-end groceteria may not be huge news (other than, perhaps, to Italophiles in the vicinity), but it signals an encouraging trend that’s seeing in-demand services locating in condos.

For years, residents have been told that intensification would bring interesting and necessary shops that would animate the streets of the inner city. Bring enough people into a neighbourhood, goes the theory, and the retailers will follow. But until recently, what we’ve mostly seen are controversially tall developments with, at best, humdrum retail. No one thinks of a Shoppers Drug Mart as “animating”.

But intensification is finally showing signs of reaching a critical point where the services we want — food retailing, in particular — are willing to move in. Consider that a 30,000-square-foot Sobeys is planned for the base of the Claridge project under construction in Centretown, an area that has minimal grocery options.

Late last year, an LCBO opened recently on the ground floor of one of Urban Capital’s buildings near Bank and Gladstone streets, marking the first time the liquor agency has set up shop in a condo complex.

That more interesting retailers are finally moving into tall buildings won’t erase people’s concerns over their height and density. It’s unlikely locals will welcome with open arms the 40-plus storey towers planned for Carling Avenue near Preston just because some cool stores open up on the ground level.

Still, it’s a relief to start seeing some of the positives — and not just the controversies — that come with intensification.

If this welcome trend is to continue, however, the city also has to step up its role in creating lively and livable street fronts, by ensuring that the sidewalk levels of buildings are inviting — no blank walls allowed — as well as setbacks after the first two or three storeys to minimize looming effects. And the city must insist on wider, pedestrian friendly sidewalks. (See Ashcroft’s Richmond Road development just west of Island Park Drive for a sad example of what happens when these principles are ignored.)

As well, if people are moving into the core, as the sprouting up of new business would suggest, then the city has to provide more public amenities, from libraries and recreation centres to parks and even daycares.

Because we can’t leave it up to the La Bottegas and the Sobeys of the world to make an intensified Ottawa not just a place where more of us live, but where life is better.

jchianello@ottawacitizen.com

twitter.com/jchianello
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Chianello+encouraging+intensification+sign+Little+Italy/9460237/story.html

Though not a full fledged grocery store, it will certainly make a huge difference in the neighbourhood. Plus I shop at the one in market all the time and love the place!

[teej1984]

Ya, they generally have really good prices too! mmmm sandwich

[1overcosc]

A good step. It's a relief to see some useful retail coming to Carling Station district.

We still need a full grocery store though. Put a Loblaws or Sobeys or Metro on the ground floor of the Icon and then I'll throw a party :)

[Marcus CLS]

A good step. It's a relief to see some useful retail coming to Carling Station district.

We still need a full grocery store though. Put a Loblaws or Sobeys or Metro on the ground floor of the Icon and then I'll throw a party :)

The footprint for the Icon is way too small and the location would be disasterous for vehicle traffic to a major grocery store, although local pedestrian traffic would be the obvious preference as intensification moves forward. There are only two locations that would suit a major grocery store. The parking lot at N.E. corner of Carling and Champagne and the parking Lot just N.E. of the Prescott Bar on Beechwood.

[J.OT13]

Nice to see something Italian in Little Italy. There will always be the fear of the place being taken over by Shoppers, Starbucks and Irish/Scottish pubs.

[waterloowarrior]

recommended for approval
http://app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/item.aspx?itemid=315206

[rocketphish]

Visitor parking main hurdle for 18-storey condo in Little Italy

By Derek Spalding, OTTAWA CITIZEN February 19, 2014 8:08 PM

Residents are OK with new building heights, but raise concern about decreasing parking spaces

OTTAWA — Domicile Developments is looking for approval for its much-anticipated mixed-use 18-storey condo tower poised for construction on the eastern edge of Little Italy.

The proposed project in the 500 block of Rochester Street was lauded by the community when Domicile announced local merchant Nicastro’s La Bottega would help fill out the 362-square metres of street-level commercial space.

But finding businesses that can bring a little more Italian flavour to this corner of Centretown would not overshadow concerns from residents who said there are not enough parking spaces in the planned development, particularly when considering the rapidly growing population in the area.

A total of 108 parking spaces are planned in the three levels of underground parking garage, but just six stalls would be designated for visitors. Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes agrees with residents.

In her comments on the rezoning application going to committee next week, she indicates “there is often a shortage of available on-street parking” in the Preston Street area and “the vacant land now being used for parking is dedicated to the nearby office buildings.”

In an interview, Holmes said it has been “a real struggle” to get the developer to include visitor parking.

“There may be some on-street parking now, but that won’t be there years from now,” she said.

The report to the planning committee next week calls for an amendment to the Preston-Champagne secondary plan to allow the 18 storeys, but any approval would be symbolic because the city is poised to replace this secondary plan with a new Preston-Carling development plan.

City planners said Domicile waited until council approved a strategic directions report in May that outlined the parameters for the anticipated CDP that will allow taller buildings in specific areas, including a section along Rochester.

The planning committee meets Tuesday and will consider the application.

dspalding@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/Derek_Spalding
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Visitor+parking+main+hurdle+storey+condo+Little+Italy/9527187/story.html

[waterloowarrior]

Approved

[cityguy]

Any idea when construction will start?

[S-Man]

No idea, but hopefully soon! If I had condo cash to burn, this building would get my $$$ before the Preston Street supertalls, as this seems to have a better chance of being built, and - FOOD on the ground floor.

I hope it goes up, as this street/area needs it bad.

[Harley613]

Cool location if they build the Ottawa version of the 'Distillery District' just down the road!
http://imgur.com/7FOmhYo.jpg

[Stevenson]

Sales update: 10% sold. First 60 buyers get 2.5% off.

Looking to build this summer

[Stevenson]

Has anybody purchased a unit here?

[Stevenson]

Really interesting rendering:

http://domicile.ca/blog/interactive-screen/

[Urbanarchit]

Really interesting rendering:

http://domicile.ca/blog/interactive-screen/

Here's the video on VIMEO (http://vimeo.com/79140862)

I kind of like this building, it's really different from Domicile's other projects. Great video!

[PokerPukka]

Really interesting rendering:

http://domicile.ca/blog/interactive-screen/

Awesome video! :tup:

And I think the number one thing we should all take away from this is...
THERE'S A TIM HORTONS IN THE BOOTH STREET COMPLEX?!?

Is it open to the general public or "Natural Resources Employees Only" (as it appears to be in Google Earth)? And if only for NR employees, then I don't think Domicile should be advertising as though anyone can patron it.

[IntoTheCore]

Awesome video! :tup:

And I think the number one thing we should all take away from this is...
THERE'S A TIM HORTONS IN THE BOOTH STREET COMPLEX?!?

Is it open to the general public or "Natural Resources Employees Only" (as it appears to be in Google Earth)? And if only for NR employees, then I don't think Domicile should be advertising as though anyone can patron it.

I thought it was strange that the TH was specifically pointed out, when Starbucks, Simply Biscotti, and a few other cafes are on Preston. Wouldn't they be more the target for folks in this building?

[teej1984]

I used to work at the Public Health Agency across the street and we could use the Tim Horton's but had to sign in as guests and give up our passes.

[Jim613]

Awesome video! :tup:

And I think the number one thing we should all take away from this is...
THERE'S A TIM HORTONS IN THE BOOTH STREET COMPLEX?!?

Is it open to the general public or "Natural Resources Employees Only" (as it appears to be in Google Earth)? And if only for NR employees, then I don't think Domicile should be advertising as though anyone can patron it.

And it's only a 9-5, Monday to Friday type Tim's. So if the residents work a regular schedule they'll never be able to visit it unless they extend the hours of operation AND make it accessible to the public

[Stevenson]

If Claridge Icon was ever built, would this building be in shadows?

[YOWflier]

I thought it was strange that the TH was specifically pointed out, when Starbucks, Simply Biscotti, and a few other cafes are on Preston. Wouldn't they be more the target for folks in this building?There's also the Nutty Greek Bake Shop literally a stone's throw away from there.

[Marcus CLS]

Awesome video! :tup:

And I think the number one thing we should all take away from this is...
THERE'S A TIM HORTONS IN THE BOOTH STREET COMPLEX?!?

Is it open to the general public or "Natural Resources Employees Only" (as it appears to be in Google Earth)? And if only for NR employees, then I don't think Domicile should be advertising as though anyone can patron it.

It is open to NRCAN employees only(security access). Small kiosk. Donutes, muffins and drinks only. No soup, bagels, sandwiches, chili etc because there is also a full service cafeteria in the same building. The franchise is staffed by people who are connected with private co. that runs the cafeteria.

[J.OT13]

Here's the video on VIMEO (http://vimeo.com/79140862)

I kind of like this building, it's really different from Domicile's other projects. Great video!

It looks like an awesome new Sim City game!!

But em, back to reality. Love this building. Different from everything else in Ottawa, good height for the area. Too bad it will be overshadowed in 10-20 years by not only the Carling-Preston condos, but by a redeveloped Booth Complex and whatever will be built in the giant parking on Beech.

[Stevenson]

It looks like an awesome new Sim City game!!

But em, back to reality. Love this building. Different from everything else in Ottawa, good height for the area. Too bad it will be overshadowed in 10-20 years by not only the Carling-Preston condos, but by a redeveloped Booth Complex and whatever will be built in the giant parking on Beech.

Love it as well. I wonder what the chances are of them hitting their August construction date.

[J.OT13]

Love it as well. I wonder what the chances are of them hitting their August construction date.

August!? That is ambitious!

[Stevenson]

August!? That is ambitious!

They told me they need to sell about 50 more units to start building August 15th.

I personally would be living here so I hope it gets completed on time, if I do purchase a unit.

[1overcosc]

Really interesting rendering:

http://domicile.ca/blog/interactive-screen/

... How much did this cost???

It's REALLY friggin awesome. They could make a few bucks by selling it. Honestly I'd have a field day programming in all the condos that have been approved/proposed in this city

[Stevenson]

... How much did this cost???

It's REALLY friggin awesome. They could make a few bucks by selling it. Honestly I'd have a field day programming in all the condos that have been approved/proposed in this city

Not sure but I prefer this to the 3d models...nuovo really had things that separate them from the pack. Love it,

[Stevenson]

Six units are up on MLS

[Stevenson]

Anyone know how long it took SOHO Champagne to start building (from beginning of sales)? I'm curious how long this one will take.

[JackBauer24]

You can't accurately predict Nuovo's construction start date on how fast construction started on competing projects - construction start dates are almost always dependent on sales, and each site is a different size and has a different sales pace.

I haven't seen Nuovo's contract, but I'm guessing they need 60-70% pre-sales before their bank will lend the funds to start construction. If the previous posters comments are accurate and they need 50 sales to reach that number, I'm guessing construction won't start til late this year or next year.

Anyone know how long it took SOHO Champagne to start building (from beginning of sales)? I'm curious how long this one will take.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Anyone have any price information on units by any chance?

[Stevenson]

Anyone have any price information on units by any chance?

I do. Do you want a specific one or just a range?

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

I do. Do you want a specific one or just a range?

A range, please.

[Stevenson]

1 bed: $261,400 - $326,400

1 bed + den: $304,800 - $380,000

2 bed: $338,800 - $456,200

2 bed + den: $447,100 - $590,000

Penthouse: $676,900 - $952,900

[JackBauer24]

1 bed: $261,400 - $326,400

1 bed + den: $304,800 - $380,000

2 bed: $338,800 - $456,200

2 bed + den: $447,100 - $590,000

Penthouse: $676,900 - $952,900

Thanks.
I'm assuming those prices are for the conods excluding parking?

[Stevenson]

Thanks.
I'm assuming those prices are for the conods excluding parking?

Yeah, add $33,500 for parking, and parking is only available starting at $304,800 (the one bed plus den)

[MattRichling]

Sales update: 20% sold out. Looking to start digging March 2015. Smallest units on the second floor 300-500sqft are getting redesigned due to La Bottega (wanted different commercial space within building). They currently have 30 people on a wait list for these units once they are re-released.

[YOWetal]

Sales update: 20% sold out. Looking to start digging March 2015. Smallest units on the second floor 300-500sqft are getting re designed due to La Bottega (wanted different commercial space within building), they currently have 30 people on a wait list.

Only 20% sold? what is the waitlist for?

[phil235]

Does 20% sold with a major commercial tenant locked up mean that they can likely start sooner than would otherwise be the case?

[MattRichling]

Only 20% sold? what is the waitlist for?

Edited the above.... The wait list is for the smallest or "pied a terre" units that are on the second floor.

[mounties99]

Does anyone know if this project has been cancelled? I can't seem to find any information on Domicile's website which can't be a good sign.

Thanks.

[Arcologist]

No idea what the status of this condo proposal is... I think in general the condo scene has slowed a little in Ottawa.

I'm glad to see that this proposal has improved since the first design. The first renderings to come out were atrocious!

Domicile still has a long way to go to become a world-class developer, imo. They simply build bland, dull, grey boxes...

[joeto11]

Yes this project is now dead. I was talking to the Shannon the sales lady and told me they only sold 14 in a year. They returned the deposits and will be focusing on main street project.

[rocketphish]

This project's own website is dead too:

http://nuovocondo.ca

[Harley613]

Wowzers..I really thought this one was a sure bet. They had the little grocery store signed up an everything. I wonder if it will be revived when the market bounces back.

[daud]

Wowzers..I really thought this one was a sure bet. They had the little grocery store signed up an everything. I wonder if it will be revived when the market bounces back.

I initially thought the project looked strong, but when Claridge Icon started releasing their sales numbers, you could see where the purchases were going. While they both sat at about 20% sales, this translated to 14 actual sales for Nuovo and 71 for Claridge. Now that construction is about to start, it seems other projects are just waiting/getting out of the way. I'm very excited about Icon going up, but I do like to see a variety of builders participate in the marketplace. Nuovo would have been good for the area.

As a buyer though, I'd have difficulty buying a unit in this project knowing it was going up in the shadow of a 45 storey tower.

[rocketphish]

As a buyer though, I'd have difficulty buying a unit in this project knowing it was going up in the shadow of a 45 storey tower.

While there wouldn't have been any impact from actual shadows from the Icon (p.45 (http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Amendment%20Application_Image%20Reference_Planning%20Rationale%20505%20Preston%20Street.PDF)), I know what you mean, metaphorically speaking. The Logan building on the other hand (580 Booth St.), would have put Nuovo into the shade quite a bit at certain times of the year.

[PokerPukka]

Domicile still has a long way to go to become a world-class developer, imo. They simply build bland, dull, grey boxes...

But you have to admit that their Norfolk and Radcliffe buildings at Merrion Square are pretty sharp. Much nicer than the Bell warehouse that was there previously. :)

[canabiz]

This parcel of land is now for sale, almost 20K sq.ft. The broker is DTZ. A shame as this area really needs a facelift. I hope the buyer(s) will make something happen. It's a real eyesore now.

[citydwlr]

Not sure what this means... Have they started up the project again?
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__9YJKQA


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