The Windsor Arms Apartments is an historic five-storey, 42-unit apartment building located at 150 Argyle Avenue in Ottawa, Ontario.
| The Windsor Arms Apartments | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Primary elevation of The Windsor Arms Apartments | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Apartment building |
| Architectural style | Art Deco (Stripped Classicism) |
| Location | Centretown, Ottawa, Ontario |
| Address | 150 Argyle Avenue |
| Coordinates | 45°24′43″N 75°41′18″W / 45.41192°N 75.68827°W |
| Construction started | 1929 |
| Completed | 1930 |
| Cost | $300,000 (1930) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Cecil Burgess |
History
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The Windsor Arms Apartments, designed by architect Cecil Burgess,[1] was completed on April 1, 1930, at a cost of $300,000 (in 1930 dollars). The builder claimed this cost to be 85% above the average cost of construction because of conveniences incorporated into the structure.[2] The building's design features a detailed entrance portico, stained and leaded glass windows, and wood-burning fireplaces in some units. Upon its initial occupancy, the building offered lobby and parking attendants, as well as maid services.
In June 1984, the then landlord informed tenants that the building would be sold for conversion into a form of condominium. Under this plan, purchasers would buy units as tenants-in-common, meaning each owner would have a stake in the property without owning a specific part of the building. This approach bypassed a municipal by-law that prevented apartment-condominium conversions at the time. However, in November of the same year, tenants successfully resisted the conversion scheme. The owner at the time confirmed that the condo development deal was "up the flue", stating it would be more profitable to convert the ground floor units into offices instead.[3] The current property management, Andrex Holdings, has returned all units to residential occupancy.
Designation & Restoration
editThe building is a designated Category 1 heritage building within the Centretown Heritage Conservation District.[4] In 2009, the City of Ottawa awarded a 'Certificate of Merit – Restoration' to Keystone Traditional Masonry Inc. and Andrex Holdings Ltd. for the rebuilding of the staggered brick and stone parapets.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Burgess, Cecil". Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ "Palatial Apartment Dwelling Nears Completion: Windsor Arms will be finished Apr. 1". Newspaper. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ Ward, Bruce. "Windsor Arms tenants win fight over conversion". Newspaper. Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ "Centretown Heritage Conservation District – Formally Recognized: 1 October 1997". Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ "Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards – 2009 awards". City of Ottawa. Retrieved 24 February 2013.