1451 Wellington: the Vision Behind Mizrahi Developments’ New Build
There is no greater honour for an architect or builder then creating a building that not only represents a timeless beauty, but is a testament to the graceful merger of form and function.
When you think of some of the most well-known addresses in North America, like 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, 30 Rockefeller Plaza and 24 Sussex Drive, it’s evident that when careful attention is paid to both form and function, the end result is a structure that will be an enduring landmark.
For Canadians, few cities in the country have an architectural history as rich and impressive as the one found in Ottawa. Home to some of the country’s most prestigious galleries, memorials and buildings, a trip to the nation’s capital is a journey through Canada’s past.
While 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa may be the country’s most notable address, with it being the home to Canada’s Prime Minister, the city has plenty of other noteworthy addresses, as well as some of the country’s most beautiful, poignant and thought-provoking architecture.
From the Byward Market in the heart of Ottawa to the National Arts Centre for Performing Arts to the iconic Parliament Hill building that sits proudly atop Wellington Street, Ottawa is a city steeped in architectural beauty that reminds us of the grace achieved by innovative architecture.
20 minutes west of Ottawa’s downtown core lies another iconic area: Wellington Village. Bordered by the Ottawa River to the north, Wellington Village was still an up-and-coming area in 1910 when the local government built Island Park Drive, the street that borders the west side of the village and serves as a thoroughfare through the city.
Besides adding Island Park Drive, a number of bridges were also constructed in Wellington Village that connected the Ottawa shore to the various islands between Ontario and Quebec. This was a vital move to help those who commuted into Ottawa for work. With the group of islands quickly dubbed, “Island Park”, Wellington Village became viewed as a gateway to the city of Ottawa.
With towering Elm trees, impressive homes and a family-centred environment, Wellington Village also became one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Canada. In fact, in 2013 Wellington Village earned the top spot on Ottawa Magazine’s short list of best neighborhoods in Ottawa.
Wellington Village’s historic charm and picturesque beauty is in part what led Toronto real estate developer and founder and President of Mizrahi Developments, Sam Mizrahi to purchase 1445 and 1451 Wellington Avenue in 2012.
1451 Wellington needed a developer with vision to build something worthy of the area’s gateway location to Ottawa. Sam Mizrahi entered real estate development to build timeless architecture created with craftsmanship and an attention to detail. Currently leading some of the most ambitious developments in Toronto, including The One at the intersection of Bloor and Yonge Streets, Mizrahi knew he could bring to Ottawa the same sort of boutique high-end luxury condominiums as he brought to Toronto.
Mizrahi describes his ambitions as a developer in Ottawa in this way: “Ottawa to me was a market that was underserved in terms of the high-end luxury market. There has been no boutique high-end luxury condominium developed in Ottawa in the last decade. We wanted to provide the people of Ottawa with the same profile of what we’ve done in Toronto.”
The 12-storey condo tower Mizrahi envisions at 1451 Wellington is designed to add an aesthetic beauty to the neighbourhood while catering to Ottawa’s high-end luxury market.
“As a developer, one of the things that excites me is not only building condominiums that are classically designed and evoke a sense of timelessness, but also building residences that allow for detailed customization.” Mizrahi then adds, “From our point of view, condo owners should have the same ability to customize their suites as someone who lives in a stand-alone home.”
In 2013, Sam Mizrahi began working with one of the oldest architecture firms in Canada, Page + Steele IBI Group, to design the initial plans for 1451 Wellington. Despite many in favor of the proposed condominium design, Ottawa’s city council rejected the initial designs for 1451 Wellington. Unfazed, Mizrahi appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
“The OMB gave us the option of either making the project smaller in height, 9 storeys instead of 12 storeys, or create an even more distinctive, landmark status structure,” mentions Mizrahi.
Sam Mizrahi chose the latter.
While the first proposal of 1451 Wellington featured an exquisite luxury condo, the reimagined design proposal took it to the next level, featuring an impressive mansard-style roof with vaulted copper accents, not to mention classic features from the original design, such as the use high quality stone for the building’s ground floor, a parkette, and large terraces benefiting from stunning views. What’s more, the top of 1451 Wellington is to be now punctuated by an original, clearly identifiable piece of architecture: a cylindrical copper spire that will create a beacon for those entering the neighborhood.
The impressive design elements played a key role in getting the proposed plans for 1451 Wellington approved by city council.
Mizrahi Developments plans to open a presentation unit of 1451 Wellington in January of 2017, showcasing what potential tenants of the iconic building can expect. The project is officially slated to begin construction in 2017.
Author: Tom Martin
