90 George | 64m | 19 fl | Completed

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

From the look of it, 90 George even has more brick than the original!

[eemy]

What is the podium being used for? It would make a fantastic department store.

[citizen j]

Originally Posted by Deez

I guess I'm the lone dissenter.



Although I do like that they've maintained the heritage streetfront, the way they've implemented it looks really cheap to me. Notice how on either side the brick abruptly cuts to cheap-looking concrete after only a few metres. Also, the rear end (facing George) is hugely out of proportion with the street...and features more ugly concrete. Way too much grey for my tastes.

I'm going to guess that they anticipate that at some not-too-distant future date, someone will redevelop that underutilized lot now occupied by Scotiabank. At which point, the un-bricked side of the podium will be obscured. But, yeah -- in the meantime, it gives the Rideau St. facade a kind of tacked-on aspect (even if it's better in that regard than the original building was).

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by TMA-1

I took this photo of the original building (Ogilvies?)

It was the old Caplan Department Store.

Ogilvies is the one across the street- the Rideau Centre will have to incorporate its facade into its expansion.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by citizen j

I'm going to guess that they anticipate that at some not-too-distant future date, someone will redevelop that underutilized lot now occupied by Scotiabank. At which point, the un-bricked side of the podium will be obscured. But, yeah -- in the meantime, it gives the Rideau St. facade a kind of tacked-on aspect (even if it's better in that regard than the original building was).

I read somewhere that Canril (the folks developing 90 George) approached Scotiabank to buy that land as well, but couldn't get a deal done. Too bad.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

What is the podium being used for? It would make a fantastic department store.

There's a sign for a Newlook eyewear coming soon... not too exciting...

You're right, though, it's a huge podium, it'd be nice to get something really nice in there, and not just restaurants.

[AuxTown]

I would love to see a high-end boutique department store like the Ogilvy store on Ste. Catherine Street in Montreal. Would be a perfect fit for the building and I think would generate a bit of a buzz.

[Mille Sabords]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

I would love to see a high-end boutique department store like the Ogilvy store on Ste. Catherine Street in Montreal. Would be a perfect fit for the building and I think would generate a bit of a buzz.

You got it. The elegance of that store would match the building.

[ElChancho]

very nice how much? too much for me...

[ElChancho]

feb 10 2008

[sgera]

i heard that there's going to be a big Rolex sign on the front at the podium facing the market....

[Ottawade]

My girlfriend got a sweet haircut today (she looks like Uma Therman!) at Renaldo's in world exchange and the stylist told her that soon they would be moving to 90 George and will be taking up space on 2 floors.

So there's at least part of the retail space

[cityguy]

New Look eyewear is also opening up a location at that site.

[BywardCondo]

Great pictures Harls, 90 George is going to be as advertised "the best address in Ottawa" It looks fantastic. All others will pale in comparison.

[gatt]

last week.
[IMG][/IMG]

[gatt]

[IMG][/IMG]

[harls]

Cool vantage point, gatt.

Man I wish it was spring already.

[Aylmer]

Wait untill the QC march break is over: I want to get to some slopes!

[harls]

Here's one from today.. not that much has changed, and I'm way too far away. oh well.

Somebody better get up there and string that banner back up.

[YOWetal]

Anybody know when they are expecting the first people to move into the George? What about the Claridge. Last I heard both were saying early summer but looks doubtful to me.