Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District

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Background

The Ontario Heritage Act enables municipalities to protect properties of architectural and historical significance. As a result of a 2020 Centretown heritage study, more than 200 properties in the Golden Triangle were listed on the City’s Heritage Register under Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Through the implementation of Bill 23, changes to the Ontario Heritage Act mean that properties listed on the City’s Heritage Register will be removed on January 1, 2027 unless designated under Part IV of V before that time. Through this heritage conservation district, these properties will be protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Project Overview

In 2022, City Council directed staff to undertake a study to further analyze the Golden Triangle’s potential for designation as a heritage conservation district. In 2024, City Council approved the Golden Triangle as a priority study.

What is a heritage conservation district study?

A heritage conservation district study is the process to gather information on a specific area for consideration of a heritage conservation district. The purpose of the study is to examine the character of the area which includes its buildings, structures and other features. The Golden Triangle has been identified to study for a heritage conservation district for its history, architecture and intact streetscapes.

The key deliverables for the study include:

  • Historical, contextual and architectural summary of the study area based on previous studies including the ERA Centretown Heritage Study and the 1997 Centretown Heritage Conservation District Study
  • A heritage inventory and evaluation of properties located within the Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District Study Area
  • Heritage Conservation District Plan that meets the requirements outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act.

What is a heritage conservation district?

Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act allows municipalities to recognize and protect neighbourhoods, rural landscapes, main streets, or other areas of special cultural heritage value that have a cohesive sense of time and place.

Although each district is different, many share common characteristics. Heritage conservation districts may have:

  • A concentration of heritage buildings, sites, structures, and cultural landscapes
  • Visual coherence through the use of building scale, mass, height, material, proportion, and colour that convey a sense of time and place
  • A distinctive character that distinguishes them from neighbouring areas

District designation allows City Council to manage and guide future change in the district through adoption of a district plan with policies and guidelines for conservation, protection and enhancement of the district’s special character.

What will district designation mean to me?

Once a district has been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council regulates changes and development in the district. This does not mean that change and development cannot take place. Rather, it means that changes and development are managed to ensure that they are sympathetic to and enhance a district's historic character.

If property owners wish to alter the exterior of their building, they are required to submit an application to the City of Ottawa. If the alterations are minor in nature, the application is reviewed by Heritage Planning staff and a heritage permit is usually issued within five to 10 business days. For more extensive, large-scale alterations, the application will be reviewed by the Built Heritage Committee, Planning and Housing Committee and City Council. City Council will consent to the proposed alteration, refuse it, or consent to it with conditions. An application for a permit under the Ontario Heritage Act has to be processed within 90 days or it is deemed to be approved. Permission must also be obtained prior to demolishing a building or constructing a new one. The interior of a building is not regulated through a heritage conservation district designation.

The Golden Triangle is a primarily residential neighbourhood that is part of the greater Centretown neighbourhood and can roughly be described as the area bounded by Lisgar Street to the north, the Rideau Canal to the east, the Highway 417 to the south and Elgin Street to the west. Adjacent to these boundaries is the existing Minto Park Heritage Conservation District, which was designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1988. The Centretown Heritage Conservation District, designated in 1997 is located to the west of the Golden Triangle, and includes Elgin Street.

Study area


The area is comprised of mainly early 20th century residences, in a variety of revivalist styles and built forms, including several walk-up apartments. Many of these buildings have been converted into multi-unit residences, or diplomatic functions, providing housing and office space to a wide range of people. Elgin Street acts as the commercial hub for the neighbourhood, with several businesses and places of worship. The neighbourhood also features generous green spaces, especially along the Rideau Canal. The Golden Triangle boasts three City parks, mature trees and softly landscaped front yards. The area’s eastern boundary is the Rideau Canal, which was originally constructed for military use between 1826 and 1832. By the end of the 19th century, the Rideau Canal was primarily used for recreational activities including boating and skating. At this time, residential developments started to appear along the canal.

In the 1960-1970s, the northern, southern, and eastern edges of the neighbourhood saw an influx of modern residential towers, which demonstrate a second development period of construction within the area.

Get involved

There will be several opportunities for participation throughout the project. This includes an initial information session, consultation on the draft once it has been prepared, as well as attending the statutory public meeting. Additionally, heritage staff area available by phone and email to answer any questions you might have about this project.

The City is looking to form a Community Advisory Group, a group of volunteers interested in providing comments and feedback on draft policies. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to me to indicate your interest.

If you have would like to receive a periodic updates on the project, please email us to be included on the mailing list.

Background

The Ontario Heritage Act enables municipalities to protect properties of architectural and historical significance. As a result of a 2020 Centretown heritage study, more than 200 properties in the Golden Triangle were listed on the City’s Heritage Register under Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Through the implementation of Bill 23, changes to the Ontario Heritage Act mean that properties listed on the City’s Heritage Register will be removed on January 1, 2027 unless designated under Part IV of V before that time. Through this heritage conservation district, these properties will be protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Project Overview

In 2022, City Council directed staff to undertake a study to further analyze the Golden Triangle’s potential for designation as a heritage conservation district. In 2024, City Council approved the Golden Triangle as a priority study.

What is a heritage conservation district study?

A heritage conservation district study is the process to gather information on a specific area for consideration of a heritage conservation district. The purpose of the study is to examine the character of the area which includes its buildings, structures and other features. The Golden Triangle has been identified to study for a heritage conservation district for its history, architecture and intact streetscapes.

The key deliverables for the study include:

  • Historical, contextual and architectural summary of the study area based on previous studies including the ERA Centretown Heritage Study and the 1997 Centretown Heritage Conservation District Study
  • A heritage inventory and evaluation of properties located within the Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District Study Area
  • Heritage Conservation District Plan that meets the requirements outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act.

What is a heritage conservation district?

Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act allows municipalities to recognize and protect neighbourhoods, rural landscapes, main streets, or other areas of special cultural heritage value that have a cohesive sense of time and place.

Although each district is different, many share common characteristics. Heritage conservation districts may have:

  • A concentration of heritage buildings, sites, structures, and cultural landscapes
  • Visual coherence through the use of building scale, mass, height, material, proportion, and colour that convey a sense of time and place
  • A distinctive character that distinguishes them from neighbouring areas

District designation allows City Council to manage and guide future change in the district through adoption of a district plan with policies and guidelines for conservation, protection and enhancement of the district’s special character.

What will district designation mean to me?

Once a district has been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council regulates changes and development in the district. This does not mean that change and development cannot take place. Rather, it means that changes and development are managed to ensure that they are sympathetic to and enhance a district's historic character.

If property owners wish to alter the exterior of their building, they are required to submit an application to the City of Ottawa. If the alterations are minor in nature, the application is reviewed by Heritage Planning staff and a heritage permit is usually issued within five to 10 business days. For more extensive, large-scale alterations, the application will be reviewed by the Built Heritage Committee, Planning and Housing Committee and City Council. City Council will consent to the proposed alteration, refuse it, or consent to it with conditions. An application for a permit under the Ontario Heritage Act has to be processed within 90 days or it is deemed to be approved. Permission must also be obtained prior to demolishing a building or constructing a new one. The interior of a building is not regulated through a heritage conservation district designation.

The Golden Triangle is a primarily residential neighbourhood that is part of the greater Centretown neighbourhood and can roughly be described as the area bounded by Lisgar Street to the north, the Rideau Canal to the east, the Highway 417 to the south and Elgin Street to the west. Adjacent to these boundaries is the existing Minto Park Heritage Conservation District, which was designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1988. The Centretown Heritage Conservation District, designated in 1997 is located to the west of the Golden Triangle, and includes Elgin Street.

Study area


The area is comprised of mainly early 20th century residences, in a variety of revivalist styles and built forms, including several walk-up apartments. Many of these buildings have been converted into multi-unit residences, or diplomatic functions, providing housing and office space to a wide range of people. Elgin Street acts as the commercial hub for the neighbourhood, with several businesses and places of worship. The neighbourhood also features generous green spaces, especially along the Rideau Canal. The Golden Triangle boasts three City parks, mature trees and softly landscaped front yards. The area’s eastern boundary is the Rideau Canal, which was originally constructed for military use between 1826 and 1832. By the end of the 19th century, the Rideau Canal was primarily used for recreational activities including boating and skating. At this time, residential developments started to appear along the canal.

In the 1960-1970s, the northern, southern, and eastern edges of the neighbourhood saw an influx of modern residential towers, which demonstrate a second development period of construction within the area.

Get involved

There will be several opportunities for participation throughout the project. This includes an initial information session, consultation on the draft once it has been prepared, as well as attending the statutory public meeting. Additionally, heritage staff area available by phone and email to answer any questions you might have about this project.

The City is looking to form a Community Advisory Group, a group of volunteers interested in providing comments and feedback on draft policies. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to me to indicate your interest.

If you have would like to receive a periodic updates on the project, please email us to be included on the mailing list.

  • Information session

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    Please join us for a drop-in info session to connect with City staff about the study. There is no formal presentation, but staff will be available to answer potential questions you may have about the study or about heritage conservation districts in general.

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025
    6 pm to 8 pm
    Jean Pigott Hall
    Ottawa City Hall, Lisgar entrance or from the parking garage
    110 Laurier Avenue West

    Please note that City Hall is now locked after 5 pm. Staff will be available at the Lisgar Street entrance and at the parking garage elevators to provide access to attendees.

  • Timelines and deliverables

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    The study will be divided into several phases with key deliverables at the end of each phase. The current anticipated timelines are as follows:

    Phase 1, spring 2025: The first phase of the project includes background research and preliminary analysis. A study of the findings will be completed during this phase. The first public engagement session will be held this spring, which includes a drop-in information session.

    Phase 2, summer-fall 2025: Phase 2 of the project includes creating a building by building inventory, and evaluating each property within the boundaries. Staff will also develop a draft of the heritage conservation district plan. This document will include policies and guidelines for making exterior changes to buildings. A public consultation meeting will be held in the fall to seek input from owners about the draft policies.

    Phase 3, winter 2025-2026: The third phase of the project involves staff responding to and addressing feedback from the public on the first draft of the heritage conservation district plan. A second draft will be available for comment online.

    Phase 4, spring 2026: The final phase includes recommendations to the Built Heritage Committee and Council to approve the creation of a new heritage conservation district in the Golden Triangle, and the adoption of a heritage conservation district plan. Part of this process includes a statutory public meeting to provide the public with opportunity to raise concerns or support for the staff recommendations. Once Council makes a decision on the staff recommendations, there will be a 30-day appeal period for which anyone may object to either the new heritage conservation district, or its associated plan.

Page published: 09 Apr 2025, 09:35 AM