IllumiNATION LeBreton is poised to become a signature destination for visitors to Canada’s Capital and a point of civic pride for its residents. In striving to fulfill this potential, RLG is committed to creating a place where people work, live and entertain, a place where all can engage and celebrate the past and future of Canada. Our plan is rooted in the guiding principles of Heritage, Connectivity, Vibrancy, Sustainability, and Place-making.
Heritage
Our heritage, and that of LeBreton Flats, defines the spirit of Ottawa and of Canada—the cultural, political and economic forces which brought people to La Chaudière; the richly embroidered local and national characters, entrepreneurs
and innovators who inspired devotion and fostered growth; the transformative events that built, destroyed and regenerated LeBreton Flats.
Our vision, harkening back to LeBreton Flats’ entrepreneurial spirit, introduces and manages a world-class anchor institution in the form of a Major Event Centre, which will be the new home of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. The massive roundhouse, which was located on the western edge of the Option Lands, partly inspires the form and scale of the proposed
Major Event Centre as does its prominent location.
Connectivity
The IllumiNATION LeBreton development is focused on connecting and contextually responding to the adjacent neighbourhoods to the south, east and west and Gatineau to the north. The new planned development at the Bayview Yards with its energized innovation theme, the established residential neighbourhoods to the south and the exciting mixed-use growth along the Escarpment will now come together with IllumiNATION LeBreton to form a powerful new heart to the city.
The design proposal will connect, expand, and extend park space to create a continuous public realm from Nepean Bay Inlet, through the aqueduct, to the tailrace, out to and along the River. The public lands will also connect the Trans Canada Trail along the heritage waterworks through the Fleet Street Pumping Station up to Parliament Hill. The public land connection features the heritage open aqueduct and bridges, the river inlet, active space and multi-use pathway connections.
Vibrancy
The personality and energy of a city are intangible elements, without physical qualities, but we often find ourselves sensitive to their presence or lack thereof. Good urban design creates energized spaces and emotional experiences that form the identity and personality of a place and are the foundation blocks for successful urban districts that attract businesses, residents, visitors and international acclaim.
Introducing a diversity of land uses allows for a broader public appeal, extended periods of street activity, and varied and interesting urban experiences. Furthermore, IllumiNATION LeBreton is designed to optimize seasonal occasions and climate by preserving sunlight access to public space and also by introducing seasonal activities such as skating and hockey in winter and outdoor markets in the summer. Creating an environment that inspires year-round use in and around the district is a fundamental component of IllumiNATION LeBreton.
Sustainability
IllumiNATION LeBreton presents a significant redevelopment opportunity to revitalize an industrially contaminated site located in downtown Ottawa and create a mixed-use community that reduces environmental impacts, increases social value and creates economic opportunities for the region. The successful completion of this project will effectively remove the financial burden of approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of contaminated soil liability from the Federal government and Canadian taxpayer, while making all 21 hectares available for development.
Remediation is just the first step in transforming this site into one of the most sustainable developments in Canada. The One Planet Action Plan is built upon 10 principles that aim to achieve broad and long-term environmental and social improvements in every aspect of daily life. The principles include ambitious, yet viable targets and strategies that go beyond those found in conventional green building best practices that tend to focus on the design and construction phases of development.
Placemaking
The greatest urban environments around the world are places—neighbourhoods that have memorable characteristics and identifiable personalities—cues that bring them to mind again and again. IllumiNATION LeBreton will become a place of places—a broad, inclusive sector of the Ottawa urban context made from many unique smaller neighbourhoods, each with its own spirit of place.
From the quieter residential Asticou neighbourhood with its celebrations of art and innovation, to the emotional beacon that is the Event Centre and LeBreton Square with its cultural excitement, animated environment and year-round activities. By supplementing the popular cultural events already taking place on LeBreton Flats with new entertainment venues, public spaces, and experiential street activity, IllumiNATION LeBreton will become a prominent and dynamic entertainment destination, known throughout the world. Source and image by IllumiNATION LeBreton.
