Kent Street highrise gets heritage committee approval

The plan is to integrate the former Legion headquarters facades on the site with the highrise.

Published Jan 16, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 1 minute read

Architectural rendering of a proposal for 27-storey residential tower on Kent Street, incorporating the former Canadian Legion Dominion Command. View from Kent Street and Gilmour Street intersection. Photo by City of Ottawa

A 27-storey residential tower on Kent Street that will incorporate the facade of the historic Legion House was given the thumbs up by Ottawa’s built heritage committee Tuesday.

The application from Taggart Realty Management calls for the dismantling of the east and south sides of Legion House, a mid-century office building that was once the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command. Each side is to be reconstructed on the same footprint using existing limestone cladding. The north and west facades would be “reinterpreted” using new materials and a contemporary design.

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When finished, the highrise on the east side of Kent Street, between MacLaren and Gilmour streets, will contain 289 residential units and four levels of underground parking.

Two houses at 436 and 444 MacLaren St. that are part of the property will be restored and integrated into the overall landscaping and site design. The houses date from 1879 and 1901 and are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Centretown Heritage Conservation District.

The project, which was endorsed by city staff, now heads to city council for final approval.

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