Ottawa

A simultaneous expansion and redevelopment of two adjoining highly strategic sites is underway in downtown Ottawa. The redevelopment of the Rideau Centre, Ottawa’s premier downtown shopping mall is being undertaken by Cadillac Fairview Corporation. The redevelopment consists of a four storey retail expansion and the refurbishment of the street facades of the existing mall to improve the public realm and animate Rideau Street, one of Ottawa’s traditional main streets, along with provision for new substantial mixed-use development.  Adjacent to the Rideau Cente is Arts Court, a block which currently houses 26 independent arts organizations. Arts Court is home to a group of Ottawa’s professional arts producers and presenters including: the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, Ottawa Dance Directive, SAW Gallery, SAW Video, and Club SAW. A historic landmark downtown Ottawa, Arts Court continues to evolve as a vibrant hub for artists and audiences alike and is poised for major redevelopment including an expansion of the Ottawa Art Gallery and the Performing Arts Program of the University of Ottawa along with private sector development. Ken Greenberg is acting as an advisor to the City of Ottawa as part of a Special Focus Group of the City’s Urban Design Review Panel on how these projects can make the greatest contribution downtown revitalization and their immediate contexts.