Windsor Arms Apartments

The Windsor Arms Apartments
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°WCoordinates: 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	Cecil Burgess

The Windsor Arms Apartments is an historic five-storey, 42-unit apartment building located at 150 Argyle Avenue in Ottawa, Ontario.

History

Reproduction of original 1929 artist rendering of The Windsor Arms Apartments

The Windsor Arms Apartments was designed by architect Cecil Burgess^[1] and was completed on 1 April 1930 at the cost of $300,000 (1930 dollars), which the builder claimed to be 85% above the average cost of construction because of conveniences put 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. When first tenanted, the building offered lobby and parking attendants and maid services.

In June 1984, the then landlord informed tenants that the building would be sold for conversion into a form of condominium, in which purchasers would have bought units as tenants-in-common (with each owner having a stake in the property, without owning a specific part of the building), thereby sidestepping a municipal by-law preventing apartment-condominium conversations in place at the time. In November of the same year, it was reported that the tenants successfully fought off the conversion scheme, and the owner of the day confirmed that the condo development deal was "up the flue" and that it would be more profitable to convert the ground floor units into offices.^[3] The current property management, Andrex Holdings, has returned all units to residential occupancy.

Designation & Restoration

The 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

1. "Burgess, Cecil". Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
2. "Palatial Apartment Dwelling Nears Completion: Windsor Arms will be finished Apr. 1". Newspaper. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
3. Ward, Bruce. "Windsor Arms tenants win fight over conversion". Newspaper. Ottawa Citizen.
4. "Centretown Heritage Conservation District - Formally Recognized: 1 October 1997". Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
5. "Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards - 2009 awards". City of Ottawa. Retrieved 24 February 2013.