'Betrayal of democracy': Reviled Chteau Laurieraddition to go ahead

Ottawa city council has upheld a decision to allow a reviled addition to the historicChteau Laurierhotel, voting down an attempt to reopen the controversial matter Thursday afternoon.

To cries of "Shame! Shame!" from the public gallery, councillors refused to debate whether to rescind the approval granted last year to the hotel's owners to alter the heritage building.

Members of the recently formed advocacy group Friends of the ChteauLaurier, ordinary citizens and even Ottawa-born comedian Tom Green were on hand for the final vote at Ottawa City Hall.

It effectively ends a three-year ordeal that's pitted the hotel's owners and their architects against a broad swath of the publicwho don't feel the modernist design fits the romantic style of the Gothic Revival landmark.

Council members who voted against the motion on Thursday, and thereforein favour of theaddition,were Mayor Jim Watson and councillors Tim Tierney, Keith Egli, Glen Gower, George Darouze, Jan Harder, Eli El-Chantiry, Matthew Luloff, Laura Dudas, Jenna Sudds, Jean Cloutier, Allan Hubley and Scott Moffatt.

'I think democracy died today at city hall'

5 years ago

Duration 1:16

Residents opposed to the Chteau Laurier addition say the fight to prevent it from going ahead isn't over, despite today's council vote against disallowing the development.

'Complete travesty'

"I thought it was disgusting. I thought this was just a complete betrayal of democracy," said Rob Mcdonald, who attended Thursday's brief council session.

"My hope is that if they build that monstrosity, that they call it the Jim Watson Wing to serve as a testimony to the person that approved this."

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Green called the hotel "the jewel of the city" and said it was "laughable" that anyone would consider the modern addition a good idea."It's almost as if somebody said, 'How are we going to hide this building? What is the best, most effective way you could do that?" Green said.

I think it's sort of a complete travesty, really, if that would happen."

Comedian Tom Green weighs in on Chteau Laurier addition

5 years ago

Duration 1:00

Green, who grew up in Ottawa, says the proposed addition will harm the view of the heritage building from Major's Hill Park.

Friends of theChteauLauriermember Maureen McTeer said they would be looking at "all of the options available" from approaching the federal and provincial governments to exploring legal options to stop the addition from being built as it's currently proposed.

Ottawa mayor defends vote to allow Chteau Laurier addition

5 years ago

Duration 0:37

Mayor Jim Watson says the city does not have the right to decide on the design of privately owned buildings, including the Chteau Laurier.

Pleas fall on deaf ears

On Wednesday evening, four first-termcouncillors who earlier voted against revoking the approval Dudas, Gower, Luloff and Sudds released a letter appealing to hotel ownerLarco Investments to withdraw their controversial design.

On Thursday, Coun. Diane Deans beseeched those councillors to vote with their conscience.

"The disconnect between actions and words was monumental," Deans said of the letter. "I would say to those councillors: if that is what you believe should happen, you can back up those words with actions."

None of the four letter writers changed their votes Thursday.

'The city doesn't own the building'

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Watson acknowledged that the ChteauLaurier debate had been an "emotional" one, but also reiterated that while the hotel resonates with Ottawa residents, it isprivately owned.

"People love theChteauLaurier. And ifI owned that building, I wouldn't put that addition on. But, unfortunately, I don't own the building. The city doesn't own the building," Watson said.

"It's owned by private property owners, and at the end of the day, they do have rights to choose the design and style that they want for their building."

In a statement, the National Capital Commission said while it had no control over the design of the controversial addition, it would work to ensure elements within its authority were carried out to "the highest standards of excellence."

That includes the public access to the hotel fromthe neighbouring federally owned lands, as well how the north-facing addition would interact with Major's Hill Park particularly concerning itsshadows and any nighttime illumination.

"In its discussions in the weeks and months ahead, the NCC will urge the proponent to be open to finding solutions and approaches that take into account the historic setting of the Chteau Laurier and its important role in defining the capital experience," the statement said.