Fresh. Intelligent. Cutting-edge. Contemporary design.
Just a few blocks from Parliament Hill, National Arts Centre, and the Ottawa ByWard Market, The Alt Hotel and The Slater (199 Slater) are fresh and bright, a spectacular example of contemporary design by Chmiel Architects and Lemay Michaud Architecture Design. This 23-storey infill project combines two separate occupancies in one high rise configuration: a condominium and a boutique hotel.
An architectural challenge.
This was an extreme infill project with less than a foot to the property line. The project offered a unique set of design issues and requirements as each occupancy was given its own complete and separate yet integrated servicing, circulation, vertical transportation, and mechanical and electrical systems. This complex project was realized as a mid-block infill, with two levels of underground parking, ground and second floor for hotel lobby and conference space, two more levels of parking on the third and fourth floor, and the remainder of the tower allocated to hotel and condominium suites.
More challenges.
The site was bordered closely on three sides by the existing built environment, offering access only via the Slater Street frontage. This caused complications for the delivery of materials and for getting heavy equipment onsite. In such tight quarters, it is essential to be considerate of the adjacent buildings. Accommodating and coordinating with the site’s neighbours proved to be challenging for everyone involved in the process.
The buildings consist of 178 condo units including two storey penthouses, and 148 hotel suites with minimalist, design-centric décor. The design-savvy building is equipped with cutting edge energy-efficient technology including geothermal heating and cooling and a white roof to minimize the formation of heat islands. The hotel and the condos have their own separate entrances, lobbies and elevators.
The Slater.
Twenty-two storeys above the street, The Slater’s glass-enclosed penthouses soar over the city. Sleek, contemporary suites are surrounded by spacious terraces – and truly unbelievable views of Ottawa. Each of the expansive penthouses has a unique design; two single-storey and eight two-storey layouts offering open concept living with a focus on light, space and stunning design.
The expansive indoor-outdoor amenities area at The Slater are second to none. The Slater’s elegant lobby is an introduction to the high-design luxury that defines the project. This sophisticated style is complemented by the inclusion of exceptional common areas and amenities. The Slater offers residents access to a host of exclusive amenities located on the 5th floor. The large adjoining outdoor terrace features a hot tub and relaxed seating areas.
The Alt Hotel.
The Alt has resurrected the concept of the lobby as the centre of the hotel. The space is called Altcetera, and it’s a lobby reimagined. Guests are part of an interactive scene as soon as they check in. The reception desk is framed by a dazzling art installation, Altexpo, a mural composed of 9,000 miniature photos. Guests can add their own images to a live LCD feed by posting on Instagram using the hashtag #altexpo. Different textures and materials define different lounging spaces: wood panels, silvery mesh curtains, a glass staircase and black acrylic walls, all offset by industrial lighting and a polished black concrete floor.
All room options are nicely laid out, simply decorated in neutral, wood and white, and equipped with pod coffee makers, goose-down duvets, work desks and flatscreen TVs. The bathrooms are pristine white with ultra-modern oval sinks, top-drawer fixtures, aromatherapy bath products by Bella Pella of Montreal, and glass showers, or bath-showers in the larger rooms. Some of the rooms overlook an industrial ledge and are brightened with art installations in the windows.
Ottawa Urban Design Awards.
The project will be submitted for the Ottawa Urban Design Awards – a biennial awards program that celebrates projects built in the City of Ottawa that achieve urban design excellence. The awards this year will honour exceptional projects built in Ottawa between September 2015 and September 2017.
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