“Condominium” (or “condo”) is just a fancy word for “modern apartment buildings” on this side of the Atlantic. And they are usually marketed with buzzwords such as “Modern living!” “Amazing layout!” “Hotel inspired!” “Luxury units!” “Granit countertops!”
In recent years, the condominium industry has been booming in Canada, with dozens of new towers being erected each year. Toronto is the centre of this boom and Ottawa is apparently catching up—there is quite a few new buildings downtown in various stages of development.
It’s all about the location, I guess. Some folks want to be close to work (most federal government buildings are in downtown Ottawa) and avoid commuting from Kanata, Barrhaven or Orleans, popular far-away suburbs where real estate used to be cheaper.
Condo lots, empty or in development, can be controversial. The influx of new buildings in the downtown area, market area and Sandy Hill worries or angers some residents.
That, or a political activist wanted to just… say something.
He he, whatever the reason, I love a bit of good old political activism! Especially here, where people seem so laid back all the time!
Same here 😉 Must be our subversive European roots!
Well, I can understand the frustration. Look at Westboro: they’ve been building towers after towers and the initial cute family-friendly neighbourhood has become the place where you see über expansive cars (no kidding) driving (too fast) amongst over-expensive useless shops and tacky restaurants.
And the first tower is so small and so… the only one there at that time that it just looks weird and spoil the landscape to everyone around…
Yes, I can’t believe how much Westboro changed. I mean, this is ridiculous and I would have moved as well.
One of my most favourite neighbourhood in Montreal has been completely defaced by bland condos! I’m not against them but I don’t like when there’s too many projects in a small area.
Which “quartier”?