Lansdowne, once dubbed an ‘urban village,’ now home to a car dealership
Posted Mar 7, 2019 10:05:51 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Would you go to Lansdowne to buy a car?
This is a question being asked as The Glebe welcomes a new Audi dealership to Lansdowne.
In 2010, the City of Ottawa's retail design plan promised a “unique urban village with interesting stores, cafés, restaurants, services, cinemas, entertainment and a wide array of cultural facilities and programs.”
The Glebe BIA promoted the new business on Twitter on Wednesday, which garnered some less than positive reaction.
“This is a boutique shop that is really designed to bring their cars right to the community so people can have a chance to understand what Audi is all about,” BIA Executive Director, Andrew Peck explained.
He noted the interactive elements of the store, including a virtual reality test drive.
In response to negative feedback, Peck defended the dealership.
“This Audi shop is really something that I think is an extension of building a different kind of experience for people who want to pop in to different plances and different shops and get a sense of what's out there in a broader sense.”
The 'New Lansdowne Report' had this to say about the area in 2010:
The proposed creation of Aberdeen Way, a pedestrian-friendly streetscape would offer a more defined and framed view of the historic landmark. Unlike the views from the paved parking lot which exist today, the more defined views represent an urban design strategy that relies on street dimensions and portals to create more dramatic views of the iconic buildings.
