Twenty-eight storey condo planned for Mechanicsville

I don't know if there's anything that brings me more joy as a resident of this city than finding out another condo project has been approved by city council or a builder has submitted an application for a new project. It feels like Ottawa is being transformed right before my eyes!

Local builder Urbandale has submitted a new application for a 28-storey condo tower on Parkdale Avenue. If approved the tower, designed by local architect, Barry Hobin, will be located across from the employment node at Tunney's Pasture and is within walking distance of the Transitway and soon-to-be LRT station.

The project would replace these three houses at 99-107 Parkdale Avenue. They probably won't be missed.

The tower, seen at the end of this post, is expected to be a landmark.  Here are some details from the application:

"The proposed building will accommodate 161 units in 28 storeys...The front is to be a series of individual units [2 storeys] with their access from the street, virtual townhouses integrated into the building."

Builders in Ottawa consistently flirt with 30 storeys without going all the way. When I see a 27 or 28 storey condo I often wonder why they wouldn't just another another few; it really wouldn't make a difference. Sometimes I wonder if there is some unwritten code that 30 storeys is for special cases.

Nevertheless, I'm excited about what's happening in this part of the city. Mastercraft Starwood is putting the final touches on the Soho Parkway and Uniform Urban Developments' twin tower project in Westboro was recently recommeded for approval by City staff.

I drive through this part of the city about once per week to check out progress on building projects or to just hang out with my family. I look forward to seeing how it changes over the next 5-10 years.

Here are some renderings of the proposed building at 99-107 Parkdale Avenue.