Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage Spring 2013 Volume 40, No. 21 Heritage News Now Hot Off the Press Charles Ogilvy Limited 1887-1986 By Ken Elder Given the recent ‘disappearance’ of façades will be restored and replaced Ogilvy’s department store, Heritage when the building is incorporated into Ottawa is pleased to present this study by a planned expansion of the downtown Ken Elder, reminding us of what Ogilvy’s Rideau Centre shopping mall. The meant to Ottawa over almost a century. upper two storeys, later additions, will not be retained. Charles Ogilvy Limited, or “Ogilvy’s” , founded in 1887, was one of Ottawa’s Charles Ogilvy opened a dry goods high-end department stores for much shop at 92 Rideau Street near the of the 20th century. Ogilvy’s store on corner of Mosgrove Street on November This Heritage Ottawa publication Rideau Street remains, although it has 16, 1887. Charles Ogilvy himself, was launched on April 17 at a been vacant for a number of years. John Pittaway and one clerk comprised lecture by Shannon Ricketts. Designated under the Ontario Heritage the staff. The business prospered and Noffke was one of Ottawa’s Act in 2000, most of the building’s more stores were annexed along Rideau most influential and prolific Rideau Street and Nicholas Street Street from 1892 to 1900. Interior architects, whose work illustrates the evolution of mainstream architectural styles during the first half of the 20th century. If you were unable to attend the launch, please visit our website to order a copy. www.heritageottawa.org $10 for members; $15 for non-members. Demolition by Neglect – the Saga Continues City staff are considering an updated Property Standards By-law that will require owners of heritage buildings to maintain the heritage features of their buildings. More details in the Journal,May 12, 1906 Evening Ottawa The Illustration: President’s column, page 4. Architectural perspective of new dry goods building to be erected at the Corner of Rideau and Nicholas Streets by Mr. Charles Ogilvy. 1 Ogilvy’s contd. window- glass, the visible parts being be met with rich “golden oak” colour covered with bevelled plate glass fixtures fabricated by S. L. Kyle. The mirrors. The outside walls were built cost of the building was about $40,000. divisions were removed and a rear of buff pressed brick with Indiana extension of 25 feet added, giving to all sandstone trimmings, and inside walls In 1908 a limited company was formed and the firm emerged as Charles Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit the four stores, now thrown into one, a were lined with hollow terra-cotta organization dedicated to the total width and depth of 70 by 90 feet. brick. The floors were entirely fireproof, Ogilvy Limited. Within six years, the preservation of Ottawa’s built heritage. Departments were laid out in a modern using the fireproofing system of the volume of business had more than and convenient form, and business Clinton Fireproofing Company of doubled , and in 1913, Werner Ernst Linda Hoad quickly expanded. In due course, Clinton, Mass. The style of the build- Noffke (1878-1964) was commissioned Editor Ogilvy’s outgrew the accommodation ing was Classic, with simple Grecian to design an addition to the building Jan Soetermans at Rideau and Mosgrove Streets, and effects, harmonizing with the principal which would double its size by Graphic Designer in 1907, a three storey structure was design and imparting a solid yet extending back a further seven bays Tina & Company erected at 126-132 Rideau Street pleasing appearance. to Besserer Street. Construction Printing (corner of Rideau and Nicholas Streets) began August 1, 1914. Heritage Ottawa on land purchased from the Dolan The new store opened on August 6, 1907. The building was three-storeys The building was similar in height W. E. Noffke perspective of enlarged store premises of Charles Ogilvy Limited, 1917 Journal,May 10, 1917 Evening Ottawa The Illustration: 2 Daly Avenue estate. The new building occupied and detailing to the 1907 store. The Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6E2 one half of the block (five bays facing high plus a basement, but provision Tel: 613-230-8841 Rideau Street and seven bays facing was made in the walls and steelwork local department stores, such as Ogilvy’s, On December 28, 1969 the Ogilvy to carry three additional storeys. The Freiman’s, Murphy-Gamble and Annex on Rideau Street was the victim Fax: 613-564-4428 Nicholas Street). The architects for the Within six years, the volume of Email: [email protected] project were Northwood and Noffke. ground floor had a high ceiling with a Caplan’s, discouraged the expansion of a major fire which originated in Web: www.heritageottawa.org “mezzanine” floor between for offices. business had more than doubled , of national chains (including Eaton’s, the Guardsman restaurant next door. Leslie Maitland The new building, one of the first The first floor had a handsomely and in 1913, Werner Ernst Noffke Simpson’s, Simpsons-Sears and The The main store suffered extensive President steel and concrete edifices in Ottawa, furnished ladies’ parlour and toilet (1878-1964) was commissioned to Bay) into the National Capital Region smoke damage. The fire, the expansion David B. Flemming provided a striking contrast to the rooms, and the basement provided design an addition to the building until the 1950s. of national department store chains men’s lavatories and other requisites. into Ottawa and the harsh economic Past-President original store at 92 Rideau. Now, the which would double its size... whole front and side of the structure An Otis-Fensom elevator was installed Ogilvy’s purchased other properties climate of the 1980s, all proved David Jeanes to reach the several floors, and both it and opened other stores in the city disastrous for Ogilvy’s. Charles Ogilvy Vice-President Operations presented an unbroken and immense show window without the usual piers. and the stairways to the different levels suburbs. In 1954, a branch was opened Limited merged with the G. W. Robinson Katherine Charbonneau Instead of piers, an adequately strong were enclosed with fireproof encasement. contractors for the project were Shut- in Westboro, and in 1962 another Limited chain, based in Burlington, Vice-President Programs steel framework was placed back of the On entering the store, patrons would tleworth and Black. An important store was opened at the Billings Bridge Ontario on December 27, 1984, and Willam R. Price feature of the enlarged store was the Plaza in South Ottawa. In 1972, they operated under the Robinson-Ogilvy Secretary favourable lighting obtained from opened a branch in the Lincoln Fields banner for 20 months. Although (vacant) the three streets, Rideau, Besserer and Shopping Centre at Richmond Road Robinson-Ogilvy spent more than two Treasurer Nicholas, on all of which the store and Carling as a replacement for the million dollars renovating the Rideau (vacant) faced. Owing to circumstances brought Westboro branch store. Street store and upgrading the other Legal Consultant about by the war, the extension work two Ottawa stores, sales had slipped was not completed until 1917. Charles Ogilvy (1861-1950) was born Andrew Elliott in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1861 and because of competition from specialty Webmaster By 1931 all space in the building was emigrated to Canada with his family stores and Ogilvy’s image as an expensive Directors: being used, and in spite of the depression, in 1863. His father, James Ogilvy, es- place to shop. In September 1986, Jay Baltz, Richard Belliveau, an additional storey - designed by tablished a stationery store in Ottawa. Robinson-Ogilvy was sold to Comark Laurie Brady, Katherine Charbonneau, Ottawa architect, A. J. Hazelgrove - In 1885, Charles married Lily Allison Services Inc., a specialty fashion Linda Dicaire, Ken Elder, was added. In 1934, a fifth and final of Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Charles retailer. The “Ogilvy” was dropped Ian Ferguson, Linda Hoad, from the store name, and the small Frank Oakes, Katherine Spencer-Ross, storey, also designed by Hazelgrove, Ogilvy was an ethical businessman, chain became known as “Robinson’s.” Carolyn Quinn. was completed, making Ogilvy’s the known for his honourable behaviour. largest department store in Ottawa. He was on the executive committee An era in Ottawa retailing was over. of the Union Mission for many years. Heritage Ottawa acknowledges the Ken Elder is a heritage architect and Ogilvy’s was a thriving retail enterprise, Elizabeth ‘Lily’ Ogilvy died at her financial support of the City of Ottawa and had over 300 employees by 1943. Heritage Ottawa Board member. and the Ontario Ministry of Culture home 488 Edison Avenue in Westboro It was famous for its “tartan boxes” on February 5, 1946 in her 87th year. His full-length article is available at: Postcard: K. Elder collection K. Elder Postcard: decorated with the Ogilvy hunting Charles Ogilvy died in 1950. He http://www.eeldersite.com/Charles_ tartan. The success of Ottawa’s several Postcard. Ogilvy’s Boys Clothing Department bequeathed the store to his employees. Ogilvy_Limited.pdf 2 3 invest in their protection. We know From the President that existing city grants for heritage A Sneak Peek at Our 2013 Walking Tours conservation work. By Leslie Maitland By Laurie Brady The BHSC also confirmed that the Spring is here, which means the 2013 Michel Prévost se déroulera en Please contact Heritage Ottawa by city is committed to updating the walking tour season is just around the français. A simultaneous Rideau Canal phone (613) 230-8841 or e-mail, ... I said if the demolition by neglect older Heritage Conservation District corner. It will be a mix of new tours tour will be offered in English as well [email protected], to offer your bylaw comes into action and is Studies.