If you're downtown a lot, you probably noticed this really neat building on 124-126 Rideau street. It's been sitting there lifeless forever. Every since we moved here, we've been looking at that building wondering who owns it? How can we can get our hands on it? It has such great potential! Well, I found out a couple months ago from Spacing Ottawa that it used to be an Ogilvy store. Founded by Charles Ogilvy, it used to be a "phenomenon". At the time, Ogilvy wanted to enhance the shopping experience and the store was designed with great attention to architectural details, lavish interiors and elaborate display windows. What happened?
The building is currently owned by Viking Rideau who, according to a documents from the city, submitted an application to demolish the building and expand the Rideau Centre. But since the building is considered part of Rideau Street's heritage and has been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, I'm guessing that plan was refused. So nothing happened since 1992. Maybe they're waiting for the building to fall apart on its own... What a waste. If I owned this building, I'd turn it into a loft. It's not like if there are many hard lofts in Ottawa and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who would love to live in one. This building is perfect for a loft: It's in a great location, it has the right character and the history to go with it. The main floor could be used for a few little boutiques as well.
Ogilvy lofts could look a little like this great New York loft, shown below.
Photos : Toronto Lofts | The Mid-Century Modernist | Google street view
