City's heritage committee approves plan to develop Somerset House

Published Sep 12, 2023 • 3 minute read

Somerset House at 352 Somerset St. in Ottawa on Tuesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

The City of Ottawa’s Built Heritage committee has approved an application to alter Somerset House, a heritage building found at 352 Somerset St. W. in Centretown.

Built in 1896, Somerset House originally housed a department store before becoming the location of the Duke of Somerset pub. Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, the building located at the southeast corner of Somerset and Bank streets partially collapsed in 2007 during renovations, demolishing most of its east wall.

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According to the city, it has since sat vacant “in a deteriorated condition.”

A news release issued by the city Tuesday stated that the proposed development includes “restoration and stabilization” as well as the construction of a three-storey addition at the back of the building.

The committee report, submitted by Court Curry, manager of right of way, heritage and urban design services, planning, real estate and economic development, states that the proposed development is a mixed-use building with two commercial units and 14 residential units. No parking spaces are being proposed.

The report said the application requires site plan control and a minor zoning bylaw amendment seeking to “obtain relief from height provisions, minimum required setbacks, heritage overlay and parking provisions.”

Somerset House at 352 Somerset St. in Ottawa on Tuesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

The proposal is also calling for restoration and rehabilitation of the building, including conserving its cast iron columns on the ground floor, replacing windows, restoring the original commercial storefront on the facade facing Somerset Street and repainting.

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Several heritage applications have been submitted by the building’s owner, TKS Holdings Inc., owned by Tony Kue Shahrasebi, and approved by the city since the 2007 collapse, the report said, with no action taken except for taking down the east wing of the building in 2016. The report said that, in 2019, the property owner submitted reports recommending the building be demolished, though reviews concluded that the building was not in danger of collapse and could be repaired.

“Since 2019, Heritage Planning and Planning Services staff have worked with the property owner and his agents towards an acceptable proposal to redevelop this site while conserving the heritage value of this important building,” the report stated. “Meetings and correspondence to discuss options for this site have been held many times over the past several years.”

A letter signed by Mary Huang and Mike McCormick of the Centretown Community Association of Ottawa stated that the group is “not opposed to the current application” but has “concerns regarding the developer’s tardiness in proceeding with the improvements to the property.

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“We believe that the proposed plans align with the historical context of the area and will contribute to the overall character and charm of our community,” the letter stated. “However, we would like to express our disappointment with the developer’s delays in proceeding with the improvements to the property. As an association dedicated to the betterment of our community, we have been eagerly anticipating the restoration and enhancement of 352 Somerset House.”

The letter stated that the association supported the preservation of the historic property, requesting that the city relay its concerns to the developer, urging them to expedite the development.

“It is crucial that they fulfill their commitments and take immediate action to restore and preserve this historic gem in our community,” the letter said.

The report stated that city staff recommend council approves the application to alter the building according to plans prepared by Chmiel Architects, but with certain conditions: That conservation measures are implemented; that the building’s condition is monitored alongside a professional engineer with heritage experience; that samples for any new material to be used on the building are provided to staff; and that a construction schedule be submitted.

The report also recommended that authority for minor design changes be delegated to the general manager of the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department, and that council approve the “issuance of the heritage permit with a two-year expiry date from the date of issuance unless otherwise extended by Council.”

This report will be submitted to the city’s Planning and Housing Committee on Sept. 20, 2023. It will then move to council on Sept. 27.