A historic Centretown building may be about to undergo restoration to prevent it lying derelict for more years.
Somerset House is located on the southeast corner of Bank and Somerset streets and was built from 1900 to 1912. The building is a good example of early 20th-century architecture. Formerly it was used as the Ritz hotel, residential flats and had storefronts facing Bank Street.
In 2005, a permit was granted for structural interior changes to be made to a enlarge a portion of the building. Work continued on the interior until 2007 when the building suffered a partial collapse. Somerset House has now sat empty for almost eight years with the exterior subject to vandalism and graffiti. Now Heritage Ottawa is proposing to restore Somerset House to its former glory.
The plans to renovate the property mostly involve the exterior of north-east corner which was damaged in the collapse in 2007. It has had no roof and been obscured by steel bracing since then.
The brick wall at the north-east corner would be reduced in height to just above two storeys and a secondary cornice would be added, above which will rise a glass and dark brick addition the same height as the previous structure.
This box will feature horizontal glazing bars that will be similar to the rectangular shape of the original windows. The wall facing east will have long rectangular horizontal windows, and a glazed entryway.
Also, the Bank Street facade originally had a pair of bay or oriel windows, but one has been removed. A replica will be constructed as part of this project. A large finial that projected above the cornice historically anchored the corner of the building and this feature will also be replaced.
“I agree with the application to alter the Somerset House and consider the solution to be much improved, says Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes. “This is a very important building on a very important corner. I am delighted to see the heritage characteristics maintained. It will greatly improve the area.”
Heritage Ottawa says it believe that the restoration will be sympathetic to the original building both in scale and style and that it will have a positive impact on Bank and Somerset streets.