Search string: "canlands"
Matches found: 6Canlands Sparks St project launched
Last heard from about two years ago, the NCC's Canlands A project on Sparks Street was "won" by Ashcroft, and now the development has been announced. Surprise surprise, it's a luxury condominium, not unlike the one that went up at the Daly site, i.e., another condo by another ordinary Ottawa builder. Why is the NCC necessary to this process?
Citizen: Luxe living by the Hill [20 Mar 2010]
Centretown News: Sparks St. site of $5M condo [26 Mar 2010]
Sparks Street development announced again
"The proposed development between Sparks and Queen streets may not win any awards for creative or unpredictable design..." An intro like that can herald only one thing - a new building from those master builders at the NCC. And so it is, as the NCC announced that a developer had finally been found for its 'Canlands A' project on Sparks Street between Metcalfe and O'Connor. When last heard from two years ago, the winning only bidder Morguard had walked away from the project, citing only vague "business" reasons. From the Citizen:
The NCC this week approved a two-building complex at its "Canlands A" property, which is between Sparks and Queen streets, just west of Metcalfe Street and within easy walking distance of Parliament Hill. Today, the Sparks Street side of the property is two boarded-up buildings and the Queen Street side is a parking lot.
The commission, after many years of false starts, has chosen David Choo's Ashcroft Urban Developments as the developer for the property, with a design from Ottawa architect Roderick Lahey. Under the deal, the developer will have use of the land for 66 years, beginning Dec. 1 of this year, paying $166,500 each year. The two parties can renew the lease when it comes due.
Ashcroft won the project after a national request for proposals. The NCC has owned the land since the 1970s.
One is invariably reminded of the NCC's triumphs with the Daly building and on LeBreton Flats as yet another "national" request for proposals nets a single bid from another boring Ottawa developer. But no question that Ashcroft is eminently qualified to build the beige buildings the NCC demands.
Citizen: NCC to add sizzle to Sparks Street [3 July 2008]
Citizen: Sparking life in Sparks Street [4 July 2008]
Citizen: Sound Off about the project [2 July 2008]
OBJ: Sparking a desired change [9 July 2008]
NCC Watch: Canlands A archive
NCC still seeks partner for Sparks Street project
The NCC is still looking for a developer to build on its site at 106-116 Sparks Street (the 'Canlands A' site). This is the second time they've tried to get someone on board for this project; it was first announced back in 2004. Two developers submitted proposals in 2005 and both subsequently pulled out. This happens all the time with NCC projects - it's starting to look like another Daly building fiasco. The site includes the former Centre Theatre and a bank building; the buildings are currently vacant. The NCC purchased the properties along with several others in the same block during a spending spree back in 2001 at greatly inflated prices.
CBC: NCC seeks Sparks Street developer [23 Mar 2006]
Centretown News: Sparks in need of a residential development [7 April 2006]
Sparks Street project hits delays
Word about what a joy it is to work with the NCC must be getting around the development community, considering the tepid response to yet another NCC project. This time its their Sparks Street project:
The National Capital Commission's Canlands A project, which is proposed to be the biggest residential project on Sparks Street, is running behind schedule and has only one developer interested in it.
Morguard Corp. of Toronto is the only developer that submitted a design proposal for the project, which is a key part of the NCC's plan to enliven Sparks Street.
The project was to include about 100 apartments, street level shops, some office space and parking, with three floors facing Sparks Street and 14 floors facing Queen Street, according to the initial announcement. The NCC is offering a 66- year lease in exchange for the development of the site near Metcalfe.
[...]The NCC announced in March that Morguard and Claridge Homes of Ottawa were invited to submit design proposals for the project, after they were they only two companies responding to a national call for expressions of interest to develop the site. Claridge did not submit a design plan by the April 28 deadline.
Citizen: NCC's Sparks Street residential project hits delays [25 Oct 2005]
Two developers bid for Sparks Street project
Another successful NCC tender, as all of two companies have responded to a national call for proposals to develop the NCC's 'Canlands A' site on Sparks Street. The NCC concedes that it is surprised at the lack of interest in the site. Have they considered it might be a lack of interest in working with the NCC?
OBJ: Two developers bid for Sparks Street project [8 Mar 2005]
NCC seeks proposals for Sparks Street development
The National Capital Commission has put out a call for tenders to redevelop two more properties ('Canlands A') on Sparks Street, the former Centre Theatre at 108-166, and a bank building at 106. The proposed complex would include four residential floors on Sparks Street and 15 residential floors on Queen Street.
OBJ: NCC seeks proposals for Sparks Street development [1 Oct 2004]