Condo Profile: Ambassador Court

Think heritage condos and Ottawa’s distinguished Mayfair Apartments on Metcalfe Street is what likely comes to mind. In the same vein (and in a rare move), in 2009 the city approved the conversion of the prestigious Ambassador Court building at 612 Bank Street from rental apartments to condominium units.

Local architectural buffs will already know this Ottawa landmark as the work of W.E. Noffke, one of Ottawa’s most profilific architects in the first half of the 20th century. A student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Noffke is best known for his work along the Sparks Street Mall including the Central Post Office at the corner of Elgin St. His career success led to handsome commissions building historically significant homes for Ottawa’s elite, and he is equally known for his gracious residential designs which remain hallmarks in The Glebe to this day.

Built in 1928, Ambassador Court was designed to overlook Central Park to the west of Bank St, back when The Glebe was a “streetcar suburb”. Noffke was clearly enamoured of this enclave, designing a number of noteworthy homes that surround Central Park, including his own, and influencing the development of this beautifully landscaped oasis which has now been proposed as a heritage conservation district. Writers, artists and professors have all called Ambassador Court home over the years, easily drawn by both the choice location as well as the choice views.



A total of 31 units are housed in this 4-storey building, complete with an ornate, two level entryway, central marble staircase, stone embellishments, elegant balconies, 9ft ceilings, original hardwood floors and original crafted faux fireplaces. Heritage fans will pleased to note that most of the building has been left intact with just a bit of “refreshment” here and there, most notably in the kitchens and bathrooms, along with an update of all wiring, plumbing and new windows.

The drawbacks? Limited underground parking, which is reserved for the larger units, and shared laundry facilities, a frequent objection of those considering older condominiums (which isn’t to say that some owners haven’t installed their own washer/dryer when no one is looking). Nevertheless with the recent rejuvenation of Bank Street out of the way, Ambassador Court is that rare urban haven for those who appreciate the heritage and history of Ottawa’s most distinguished burgh.

Faint Signs of Life at EcoCite

Hope springs eternal for the previously flatlined EcoCite project as children's bookseller Kaleidescope Kids Books finally moves into the first floor:

More good news as the lobby has now been quite attractively furnished. Although MLS lists 3 units as having been sold, the intercom directory at the front door lists but one lone, intrepid resident who has gone where no buyer has gone before:

No word on whether the interior finishing has been completed in all of the units, and no word on what is to become of the thousands of dollars of upgrades paid for and installed courtesy of the original purchasers.

With only one of twenty-five units currently occupied it will be yet awhile before the condominium is registered, making me wonder what sort of occupancy fees Owner #1 will be paying... and for how long.

Food for Thought: EcoFiasco?

"I've walked by EcoCité many times and always thought the building was quite unattractive and very expensive, two elements that could compromise any project. It was an admirable attempt but they simply didn't get it right, eco-friendly or not."

—BruceHatch

EcoCité on the Canal, Take 2

Purchasers of EcoCité on the Canal condos on Bank St received a rude awakening this past Wednesday with news that their purchase agreements—some dating back 5 years—had been cancelled as the mortgage company seized the project.

In layman's parlance, investors were unwilling to front any more money to the cash-strapped project, where almost a third of the 25 units remained unsold after 5 years of continuous marketing. As such, the mortgage company now owns the physical building and is free to resell previously sold units, but at current market value. With 1-bedroom downtown condos now selling around the $250,000 mark, that could see most of the EcoCité units selling anywhere from an additional $50,000 to $100,000.

Little wonder that CBC reports the lender is eager to enter into new agreements with the stranded buyers, some of whom were said to be living in hotels after being told they would be occupying their new condo this Labour Day weekend. CBC further reports that a number of EcoCité's original buyers are talking to lawyers and as well as representatives from Ontario's Tarion Warranty Corporation.

Second Avenue West by Domicile, Take 2

Domicile recently launched the sales of their Second Avenue West project that's actually on Bronson, and since last week 30% of the units are conditionally sold. Looking at the price list and floorplans, it is not surprising to see that almost half the one bedroom units have been snapped up. If I myself were buying into this project I would have to agree with these savvy buyers: for my money the one bedrooms are the best Second West has to offer, both in terms of layout and value.

That said, before I put down my deposit cheque, I would want to take a walk along Second Ave from Bronson to Bank St... starting on the west side of Bronson to appreciate just how long it will take to cross the street. (Perhaps it may be faster to cross at Carling Ave?)

Walking back, I'd take a detour to the outdoor patio of Forno Antico at 683 Bronson, across the street from the Powell Lofts. Aside from enjoying some very good wood-fired pizza, I would also be able to gauge the level of traffic and noise coming off Bronson, particularly relevant in light of the fact that Domicile condos are one of the few that allow for balcony bbqs.

Once I convinced myself that I am fine with the location and noise coming off Bronson, I would likely go for The Madison, my favourite model in Second Avenue West, with one bedroom plus a walled-in den. At 763sqft this is more than enough space for one person, and possibly even a couple (a very easy-going couple), with the closed-in den that can double as a reading room, home office or artist's studio... add a murphy bed, and this is perfect as a guest room with your in-laws accessing the bathroom from the second door off the ensuite:



The master bedroom is also well designed with a full 10" x 12" of space (that's big for new construction!) adjacent to a walk-through closet leading to the (cheater) ensuite bathroom. I further like that Domicile seems to have reinstated foyers in their condo designs—I really don't care to open the front door of a condo and find myself in the middle of a kitchen.

While I am inclined to think that this one+den is worse off than the The Delancey (the other one+den model facing the back), I also know that one rarely sits out on a balcony for much of anything, give or take an evening post-prandial.

But given that The Madison is recessed from the street by about 50 feet, I think chances are good that the Bronson expressway wouldn't deter me from grilling steaks and the 10' x 6' balcony makes a tempting case for al fresco dining. And as an alternative, I have the granite kitchen island, a nice fixture in all Second West units and a necessary one, since the floorplans really don't allow for a formal dining room set.

Second Avenue West by Domicile

The sales launch of Domicile's Second Avenue West condos is this Thursday June 11th from 5 to 8pm at 619 Bank Street, the ground floor retail front of their 'g' building at Patterson Avenue.


Although these units are being billed as Glebe condos, caveat emptor as this is actually an area christened as "The Glebe Annex" when Charlesfort marketed their own Powell Lofts a few years ago. Second Avenue West is in fact quite a clever play on location as Domicile is actually building on the lots at 804-824 Bronson Ave to the west side of the street—Second Ave just happens to be the nearest intersection. Those hoping for a taste of life in The Glebe should factor in at least a 15-minute walk to Bank Street, but the serenity of Dow's Lake, along with "the life and the lattes" of Little Italy, are within closer reach.

Don't get me wrong, one can hardly blame Domicile for fudging the location as Bronson Avenue is not exactly Ottawa's most desirable address. That said, it is certainly nice to see some more condo activity in the Bronson area as—traffic aside—this urban burgh is well situated mid-way between both The Glebe and Preston Street. I am browsing through copies of the floorplans and pricing for Second Avenue West and will post again shortly with my thoughts on both.