Looks to have been built in the 1930s maybe, this is the old "City of Ottawa Workshops" building located at the northwestern corner of Lebreton Flats is perhaps one of the few older industrial buildings in the area left on the perimeter of the flats. It's right on Bayview, where there used to be a train station and the Humane Society. Keyes Supply is also a remaining building just opposite and it has appeal for saving also.
Should the workshops be preserved, can it be turned into anything citizens could use it for, such as a creative commons space for citizen workshops e.g. woodworking, pottery, etc? Should something be saved here? Leave your comments.
This area is also being studied by the city and the NCC (oh not not again) for renewal, you can find details here: http://www.vo-ao.ca/images/pdf/bayviewsomersetreport.pdf.
The overall design seems to be more "Lebreton Flats" style renewal architecture, i.e. modulated. I don't get it myself, and amazing that the NCC itself is now a major developer. Should it be? Where is the citizen input? What about ensuring the heritage of the area is represented. Why not go with the post and beam, brick and window theme that fits the area more, why are we trying to make everything look like a Vancouver glass condo? It's colder here, design accordingly.
Old abandoned industrial buildings make for interesting photography.
Directions:
Close to Ottawa River Parkway -- just west of the Flats also close to Bayview. You can drive right by it.
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