Ethiopian embassy residence focus of heritage-designation dispute with Ottawa

Roof deterioration, cracking and sagging ceilings and mould are among the problems reported inside the nearly century-old property at 575 Island Park Cres.

Now the two-and-a-half-storey, red-brick-clad house owned by the Embassy of Ethiopia is at the centre of a heritage -designation dispute with the City of Ottawa .

The city argues that the Georgian Revival-style residence, built in 1927 and purchased by Ethiopia’s government in 1993, is located near several other houses in the Island Park area with the same historical importance and should be preserved.

The embassy is seeking a demolition permit, citing feasibility and economic concerns.

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The structure doesn’t have diplomatic status, but it was first purchased by the Ethiopian government to serve as the official residence of the country’s ambassador to Canada. For years it has remained vacant.

“A structure may be partially retainable in theory, yet not practically or economically salvageable in a manner that preserves authentic heritage fabric,” read an objection letter from the embassy to the City of Ottawa after staff recommended the property for designation during a June 9 meeting of the built heritage committee.

The city argues the home has cultural-heritage value because it meets four of the nine criteria defined in Regulation 9/06 of the Ontario Heritage Act. (A property can be designated if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.)

On June 10, city council directed staff to issue a notice of intention to designate the property, also known as NOID, according to a heritage staff report.

The embassy filed its objection on July 10, starting the clock on a 90-day countdown for city council to consider it.

That deadline falls on Oct. 9, but the issue will come up again at a built heritage meeting on Sept. 15, when the committee will review a staff report that recommends asking council to proceed with the designation.