The City of Ottawa’s finance committee has selected a group of Quebec-based developers to complete the $100-million dollar Arts Court redevelopment and Ottawa Art Gallery expansion.

After a competitive procurement process, EBC Inc., DevMcGill and Groupe Germain received approval to work on the development of a 21-storey mixed-use tower at 60-70 Waller Street, with a boutique hotel on the first 12 floors and residential condominium units on the upper floors.

Arts Court will also incorporate a new and larger Ottawa Arts Gallery, a 250-seat multi-purpose and film screening room, a smaller theatre room and four classrooms for the University of Ottawa.

“This magnificent project will create jobs, attract visitors to our city and provide a revitalized downtown space to showcase Ottawa’s inspiring and talented arts community,” says Mayor Jim Watson.

The public-private investment, including $41.7 million from the city and University of Ottawa, and $60 million from the private sector, culminates a vision to create a vibrant municipal arts centre and boost economic development.

“This new facility will help to establish a renewed urban arts and cultural hub in Ottawa,” says Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “With museums and major cultural venues like the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery all within a short walk of Arts Court, this development sets the stage for the downtown core to come alive as a dynamic arts district.”

Once the development receives final city council approval on September 10, construction is set to begin this December and finish by the end of 2017.