Ottawa convent deserves heritage status: committee

Ottawa's heritage advisory committee is recommending special designation for a former convent in the city's Westboro neighbourhood.

The committee will meet Thursday to argue that the Richmond Road building, which is now home to Les Soeurs de la Visitation, deserves special protection under the Ontario Heritage Act as a section of the former convent dates back to 1864. 

The building is a good example of "Gothic revival" architecture and has "considerable cultural heritage value", according to a city report being tabled when the committee meets later this week.

Ashcroft Homes, however, sees a different future for the 19th-century convent.

The property was sold to Ashcroft last fall, with the few remaining sisters who still live in the building expected to move out in the coming months.

Ashcroft unveiled its proposed re-design at a public meeting on March 10.

The development company wants to renovate the existing building and turn the grounds into a mixed-use complex including a 12-storey highrise and a residence for seniors.

The new development would be roughly two-hectares in size and include retail and commercial space.

Ashcroft still needs the city to rezone the land before it can move forward with the development.