ARTH3810 2019F Class Projects (Publication) Main Menu The Tent Room at Rideau Hall Kyle Kreutner, Page 1 of 6 The Webley Shacks: Unconventional Furniture Use in the Context of Ceaseless Surveillance Jose Bawagan Imperial Theater By Munawar Mobin Keagan F - CSTM Sound History Introduction The Mayfair Theatre Simran S. An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients 144 Loretta Avenue North, Aidan MacNaull Aidan MacNaull 144 Loretta Avenue North West Block - Canada's New House of Commons by Devon Rudyk Rideau Street Chapel: The Effects of Relocation on the Experience of an Interior by Ty Follis The Church of St. Andrew's Ottawa David Bastien-Allard Making the Past Present: Union Station Restoration – A Political Facelift? by Vivian Astroff Delegation of the Ismali Imamat The National Arts Centre: Reflecting on its Past and Present Saint Paul University - A Shift in Values Reem Siage Film in Ottawa: The Mayfair theatre by Giovanna Maria Sang CGM -An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients The Chateau Laurier By Jessica El-Ghazal Reusable Space: The Senate of Canada Building by Syenne Holder National Gallery of Canada - Seeing the Colonnade Through a Semiological Lens by Ricky Tong Ricky THE OTTAWA STATION Ehidiamen Iyamabo, HomePage

History

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One of the most well-known hotels in the city of Ottawa, the Chateau Laurier is amongst the popular set destinations for outside travelers to visit or inhabit. Having gone through an enormous amount of renovations and adaptations throughout its life, it is still to this day a historical site worth visiting. The frequent renovations of hotels are largely due to the need to validate their status, to appeal to the taste of visitors and to reflect contemporary trends in consumer marketing (McNeill). By creating a new building aesthetic, borrowed from the French, in Canada known as the “Chateau Style”, the Chateau Laurier was and still is considered an important landmark in the heart of Ottawa, in which the concept of heritage played an important role to express the idea of “living history” within its walls.

With the erection of hotels across Canada, such as the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City in 1893, the Empress Hotel in Victoria in 1908 and the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa in 1912, the growing interest in the French chateau-style became more evident in Canada (Gowans, Alan). General manager of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada, Charles Hays came to Canada to expand his view tracks towards the west coast. With each development came the desire to build railway stations and deluxe hotels in the major cities to accommodate the traveling public (Rankin, Joan E, p5). In 1907, the latter commissioned Bradford Lee Gilbert to design the Chateau Laurier and its neighbouring building, the Central Union Passenger Station, both linked by a tunnel.

Drawing ideas from the Gothic details of the Empress Hotel, his design for the Chateau Laurier did not coincide with the interest of the new client, the Grand Trunk Railway. For this reason, he was dismissed and the task for the development of the hotel was taken over by the Montreal firm of Ross and MacFarlane (Kalman, Harold D. p19). After many alterations and complications, both monuments opened on June 12, 1912. With these new additions to the city of Ottawa, conventions at the Chateau and social events started to become more popular, and this hotel became the new favorite place for the elite who enjoyed events in the ballroom.

The growing popularity of this site, led to its extension from 1927 to 1929 by John S. Archibald and John Schofield, with the addition of a new wing, altering the plan from an L-shape with two wings to a U-shape (Kalman, Harold D., p.19). This new adaptation brought in the introduction of oriel windows and the addition of elaborate towers that enlivened the hotel, giving it a sense of fantasy and charm. When business slowed down, remodeling and renovation plans were put into effect in 1983-1984, to attract tourists and to maintain its reputation as the leading hotel in Ottawa. What was once the Peacock Alley, turned into a restaurant, shops took the place of the Cock and Lion lounge and the admired Convention Hall was turned into a new lounge and restaurant called Zoe’s Lounge in honor of Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s wife.  
 

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