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A former Westboro gas station once owned by Pierre Trudeau’s father was recommended on Thursday for heritage designation.
The city’s built-heritage subcommittee voted unanimously in favour of designating the cottage-like building at 70 Richmond Rd., based on its architecture, location and historical value.
The building served as a gas station while motor vehicles were in their growth period. Initially owned by Benzolene in 1934, the station was sold to Champlain Oil Products in 1937 for $1.
The company operated a chain of gas stations throughout Montreal and Ottawa during the 1930s and 40s and was owned by former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s father, Charles Emile Trudeau. The gas station was eventually sold and reborn as a used car lot before shutting its doors for good in August 2014.
Architecture trends at the time of the its construction in 1934 suggested that these gas stations should resemble their surroundings. With its steeply pitched gable roof, its round arched doors and windows, and twin chimneys, the building, at the corner of Richmond Road and Island Park Drive, was designed to resemble what the heritage planners call an English cottage.
Factoring into the city’s decision to push for heritage status is its historical value as one of the earlier businesses devoted solely to selling gasoline. Prior to the advent of the conventional gas station, automobile owners purchased their fuel in cans, often from blacksmiths or hardware stores. The first drive-thru station was built in the United States in 1921, and this gas station is one of the few remaining examples.
The city also cited the location as important, as the gas station is “a reminder of the historical importance of Richmond Road to the development of Ottawa.” The recommendation states that the road served as the main highway between Ottawa and rural villages west of the city.
If ultimately passed by city council, the heritage designation would only apply to the building’s exterior and location, so the interior could be changed. If the owner were to want to move it within the lot, they would need council’s approval.
Speaking on behalf of the property owner Main and Main, Daniel Byrne told the committee relocating the building on the site is not practical. The parking lot is contaminated, and there might also be contamination within the footprint of the building, he said.
“We have yet to identify a redevelopment strategy to come even close to being practical or workable for us,” Byrne said. “Certainly we feel designation of the site is not going to help us get any closer to that.”
The heritage subcommittee also approved a plan to alter 7 Bayview Road, a previously designated city works building set to become the future home of Ottawa’s new, multi-million Innovation Centre.
mpearson@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/mpearson78
查看原文...
The city’s built-heritage subcommittee voted unanimously in favour of designating the cottage-like building at 70 Richmond Rd., based on its architecture, location and historical value.
The building served as a gas station while motor vehicles were in their growth period. Initially owned by Benzolene in 1934, the station was sold to Champlain Oil Products in 1937 for $1.
The company operated a chain of gas stations throughout Montreal and Ottawa during the 1930s and 40s and was owned by former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s father, Charles Emile Trudeau. The gas station was eventually sold and reborn as a used car lot before shutting its doors for good in August 2014.
Architecture trends at the time of the its construction in 1934 suggested that these gas stations should resemble their surroundings. With its steeply pitched gable roof, its round arched doors and windows, and twin chimneys, the building, at the corner of Richmond Road and Island Park Drive, was designed to resemble what the heritage planners call an English cottage.
Factoring into the city’s decision to push for heritage status is its historical value as one of the earlier businesses devoted solely to selling gasoline. Prior to the advent of the conventional gas station, automobile owners purchased their fuel in cans, often from blacksmiths or hardware stores. The first drive-thru station was built in the United States in 1921, and this gas station is one of the few remaining examples.
The city also cited the location as important, as the gas station is “a reminder of the historical importance of Richmond Road to the development of Ottawa.” The recommendation states that the road served as the main highway between Ottawa and rural villages west of the city.
If ultimately passed by city council, the heritage designation would only apply to the building’s exterior and location, so the interior could be changed. If the owner were to want to move it within the lot, they would need council’s approval.
Speaking on behalf of the property owner Main and Main, Daniel Byrne told the committee relocating the building on the site is not practical. The parking lot is contaminated, and there might also be contamination within the footprint of the building, he said.
“We have yet to identify a redevelopment strategy to come even close to being practical or workable for us,” Byrne said. “Certainly we feel designation of the site is not going to help us get any closer to that.”
The heritage subcommittee also approved a plan to alter 7 Bayview Road, a previously designated city works building set to become the future home of Ottawa’s new, multi-million Innovation Centre.
mpearson@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/mpearson78
查看原文...
