Major construction begins on historic Somerset House in Ottawa
Major construction is set to begin Friday at Somerset House, the historic building in the heart of Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood.
The 129-year-old building at the corner of Somerset Street West and Bank Street has remained vacant since a partial collapse during renovations in 2007. The building, first erected in 1896, was a department store for the Crosby, Carruthers Company.
In 2023, council approved a plan to restore and stabilize the building and construct a three-store addition to the back. The plan is to build a mixed-use building with two commercial units at the ground and basement levels and 14 residential units.
In a post on Bluesky, Somerset coun. Ariel Troster said, 'Major construction finally begins this week' at Somerset House.
'This marks a significant turning point for the heritage property, which lay dormant for 17 years after a structural collapse,' Troster said.
'The Somerset House project supports downtown revitalization, new rental housing, and the preservation of heritage properties—key Council objectives. The renewed Somerset House will preserve its historic façade, add 14 rental units, include ground-floor retail, and contribute to local parkland.'
Somerset House
The owner of Somerset House has submitted an application to restore and stabilize the building on Somerset Street. (City of Ottawa documents)
Troster said with final approvals nearly complete for the project, cement pouring for the rear addition will begin on Friday.
'This project complements broader city investments in Bank Street's public realm and community safety, rolling out this summer,' Troster said.
The councillor says council's decision to provide development charge credits for designated heritage properties helped staff lead a 'coordinated effort to rebuild trust with the property owner to find a path forward.'
Somerset House is owned by TKS Holdings.
Nineteen orders have been issued under the Building Code Act for the property since 2007, and there were been 31 requests for service about the property since 2012, according to a city report in 2023.
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