Proposed addition to the Château Laurier
Context
The Hotel Fairmont Château Laurier, located adjacent to Parliament Hill, is proposing to build an addition to the rear section of the building, facing Major’s Hill Park. The proposed designs for this addition have been negatively received by the general public thus far.
The Fairmont Château Laurier is on private lands that are not subject to the National Capital Act.
Suggested Response
- We recognize the importance of the Château Laurier, not just to the residents of the Nation’s Capital, but to all Canadians, given its history, prominence and proximity to important public sites such as Major’s Hill Park and the Rideau Canal.
- Given that the Fairmont Château Laurier is on private lands, the National Capital Commission’s role is to work with the proponent to integrate a new addition with Major’s Hill Park and the Rideau Canal terraces.
- Additions to designated heritage buildings that are privately owned and sit on privately-held lands are subject to the Ontario Heritage Act for design approval. In this case, Ottawa City Council is the sole authority with the jurisdiction to approve the required heritage permit.
If pressed on what elements of the proposed project are within the National Capital Commission’s authority:
- The National Capital Commission’s role is to work with the proponent on the integration of the new addition with Major’s Hill Park and the Rideau Canal terraces.
- The NCC will ensure that this integration takes into account requirements for accessibility, traffic flow for cyclists and pedestrians, and that lighting considerations remain consistent with the National Capital Illumination Plan.
Background
The proposed addition was presented by the proponent for pre-consultation to the City of Ottawa in March 2016.
In 2017, in support of the heritage permit application, a project-specific working group of recognized national experts in heritage conservation was established to provide advice and feedback that led to subsequent design iteration by the proponent. City of Ottawa and NCC staff participated in three meetings of the working group that year.
In July 2019, the Ottawa City Council denied the request to revoke the proponent’s heritage permit and the NCC’s Board of Directors released a statement reiterating its commitment to working with the proponent on elements within its authority.
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