The Ottawa Arts Court hasn’t seen an update since 1964, but a $100-million renovation and expansion for both it and the National Gallery, recently approved by city council, has people excited.
“We want to turn the downtown core into a hub for the arts and the Arts Court could be the perfect waypoint,” said Mayor Jim Watson about the expansion.
The plan would add 12-hotel floors to the Arts Court, as well as a theatre, condominiums, increased meeting space, a screening room and classroom space for students of the University of Ottawa.
“The new complex would be a great enhancement to the neighbourhood,” says Leslie Maitland, president of Heritage Ottawa.
“That corner of downtown is dismal at the moment.”
The expansion comes at no small cost, though.
The current investment in the project is more than $100 million, 40 per cent from the city and 60 per cent from the private sector.
But some people aren’t crazy about that cost.
“It’s great to see the city finally committing to the arts,” says Joan Spycer, an Ottawa resident.
“But I wonder if so many of our tax dollars should be going there and not towards programs for those in need.”
Maitland says this would also be the first major facelift to the building since it was converted from a court house to an arts court.
The building was only changed to an arts centre in 1985.
It saw its last addition in 1964 when it was still the Carleton County Court House.
“It has proven to be a useful and flexible building,” says Maitland, whose office is in the Arts Court.
“Most other heritage buildings nearby, like the Albion Hotel, just haven’t enjoyed the same kind of use.”
The increased utility of space and planned businesses to make new residence in the building holds a lot of potential to increase the profitability of the Arts Courtcomplex.
Watson says he sees even more return on the city’s investment.
“It’s not only increased potential but the project and expanded building will create a lot of jobs and help attract visitors to the city,” says Watson.
“It will also help to rejuvenate Ottawa’s amazingly talented arts community.”
Venues such as the Saw Gallery that have both gallery space and performance space, have made the Arts Court an underground music venue, one that local musician Eduardo Rodriguez has enjoyed for years.