Sunday, 8 April 2018

code name "Onyx"...

287 Lisgar, a Dalek brandishes its sword

...finally rising into the air after a decade of back-and-forth about (what else but) height. The initial proposal by (who else but) Claridge was for a 16-floor, 136 unit condo. That figure quickly nudged up to 18 floors, then was hammered back down to 16. In early 2014, a 27-floor design appeared in the Ottawa Citizen but at last word, the height will be 16 floors. Either that or 27.

Construction began a year ago and has reached the thirteenth ("14th"?) floor. Claridge has been close-fisted with details, but appears to be calling the project "Onyx" and is inviting inquiries.

The late Douglas Hardie (Ottawa) was the original architect for this project. Neuf (Montreal) whose name is postered on the site hoarding, seems to have assumed that duty.

The building replaces a charming but sadly neglected walk-up apartment building, Werner Noffke's 1938 "Gilbert Apartments". Chris Ryan has written about the Gilbert here.


This shot from April 2014 managed to make the Gilbert look even worse than it really did at the time. Your welcome.