Updated Chteau Laurier design looks awfully familiar

Architects and owners of the Fairmont Chteau Laurier in Ottawa unveileda series of new design drawingsfor the expansion of the iconic hotel at a public meeting on Thursday night.

The design team is hoping the updated renderingswill be better received by the public.

On the surface, however, they looked very similar to designswidely criticized in September.

Social media reaction came quickly that month, with comments suggesting the initial design looked "like a series of barcodes" and would become "the ugliest building downtown" if plans went ahead.

Even Mayor Jim Watson chimed in, saying he didn't think the modern take of the original design would blend in with the hotel's older features.

New design 8 per cent smaller

The new design for the two-wing addition has been scaled back overall. Setbacks have been increased on both the Mackenzie Avenue and Rideau Canal sides of the building.

The roof on the hotel's east and west wings has also been changed to improve the view.

Design team heard public feedback

Art Phillips, director of development for Vancouver-basedLarcoInvestments, which owns theChteauLaurier, and award-winning Toronto architect PeterCleweswere on hand to answerquestions and speak about the project.

There was no public presentation following the September reveal.

The design team said Thursday it listened to community membersand wanted to have a chance to explain the concept better.

"Tonightwas really the opportunity for those those that expressed a very passionate position particularly on social media two months ago to come out this evening and we can actually have the benefit of a one-on-one conversation," said Clewes.

The changes are intended to "make the new work physically and visually compatible with, subordinate to and distinguishable from the historic place," Larco Investmentssaid in a media release.

Initial reaction to the redesign suggested the changes may not have been significant enough.

Construction could start next fall

The Chteau Laurier is formally designated a city heritage building, which means certain restrictions apply to any changes.

Ottawa city council has to approve the design, and because the hotel is on federal landthe National Capital Commission also gets a say.

After Thursday's meeting, Larco Investments will submit an application to the city and the board of the NCC.

Construction could begin in late fall of 2017.