Chteau Laurier expansion revamped after rough reception

Two months after Ottawans including the mayor panned a proposed designfor the expansion of theFairmont Chteau Laurier, the hotel's owner and the architect assigned to the project will try again, showing off their latest attemptto change the face of one of the capital's most iconic buildings.

Art Phillips, director of development forVancouver-based Larco Investments, which owns the Chteau, and award-winning Toronto architect Peter Cleweswill be among the project leaders who will speak about the expansion at an open house Thursday evening.

There have been modifications to the September designs, but it's unclear how extensive the changes are.

Large placards with drawings of the proposed expansion will be arrayed around the ballroom, along with a scale model of the hotel. Representatives will be on hand to answer one-on-one questions, but there will be no formal question-and-answer period during the event.

An artist'srenderings of the expansion were first made public in Septemberand almostimmediately elicited an overwhelmingly negative response online. Even Mayor Jim Watson was unimpressed.

The expansion would add 180 large rooms to the hotel, replace the above-ground parking arcade with underground parkingand provide windows for the ballroom, which would look out over a new courtyard.

The Chteau Laurier is a formally designated city heritage building under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, which providesrestrictions on what changes can be made. Any alterations must ultimately be approved by city council.

And because the proposed addition wouldimpact federal lands, including Major's Hill Park and Confederation Boulevard along Mackenzie Avenue, the National Capital Commission also has a role to play.

If you go

Where: FairmontChteau Laurierhotel ballroom.

When: Thursday night.Doors open at 6:30 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m., evening ends at 9 p.m.

What to expect: Several people involved in the project, including head architect Peter Clewes, will speak for about 40 minutes. Members of the public can approach them afterward to ask questions.