Architects take another stab at Chteau Laurier revamp

The architectsbehinda much-maligned addition toOttawa'sChteau Laurierarehoping the fourth time is the charm for winningover critics of its modernist makeover ofthe historic hotel.

The latest version of their design was released on the city's websiteWednesday.

It features more limestone "to break up and add visual interest," according to a heritage memo released as part of the proposal.

The memo describes vertical"fins" of limestone facing Major's Hill Park.

The east facade, facing Mackenzie Avenue,and the west facade, facing the Rideau Canal, feature diagonal glass planes framed by more limestone.

"The proposal conserves the cultural heritage values and attributes of on-site and adjacent heritage properties," ERA Architects wrote in the memo.

Previous designs panned

Threeprevious designs were generally met with contempt from bothheritage experts and the public at large.

The first attempt, released in September 2016,was dismissed astoo talland described as resembling"a series of barcodes."

The architects returned two months later with adesign that was widely panned for being too similar to the first, andmocked by one critic as looking "like a Travelodgehas rear-ended a castle."

• 'Back to the drawing board': Ottawa mayor on proposed Chteau Laurier addition

The third attempt came in Februaryand featuredan eight-storeypavilion clad in white steel and glass, separated from the original building by a courtyard.

It, too, drew fire, this time for resembling a "glass box."

• Developer unveils another attempt at Chteau Laurier addition

New design 'really a modification'

Heritage Ottawa president David Jeanessaid the new design respondsto some of those concerns, but only"in a limited way."

While the latest version seems to address some specific worries over sight lines, for example, other issues remain.

"The new design is really a modification of the three earlier designs,"Jeanessaid.

Heritage Ottawa hasn't released itsofficial opinion on the new design.

In a written release, the city acknowledged the public's concerns about the contemporary design, but said the Ontario Heritage Act doesn't prescribe such details when it comes to additions to historic buildings.

"In fact, heritage conservation practices in Canada encourage additions to heritage buildings to be of their current time," the city noted.

This fourthattempt will need to win a seriesapprovals at City Hall before construction can begin. City officials will get their first chance to publicly debate the design on June 18 at a meeting of the built heritage sub-committee.

After that, the proposal will go before planning committee and city council.