The City of Ottawa is moving to designate five buildings by famed modernist architect James Strutt as protected heritage properties. The motion passed the planning and heritage committee and now heads to city council for a final vote on June 24. according to the report, some property owners have expressed reservations, even as the city offers grants and adjustments to ease the transition.

The Five Strutt Properties: From a Church on Merivale to a Home on Qualicum St.

The five buildings under consideration span several wards and include St. Teklehaimanot Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on Merivale Road, Bells Corners United Church, a home at 20 Qualicum St. near the Queensway Carleton Hospital, and two other properties not named in the report. The city selected these based on location, geography, architectural integrity, and the story each property tells, according to heritage and planning program manager Leslie Collins.

A Tighter Clock: How Bill 23 and Bill 200 Squeeze Heritage Designations

The push to designate comes under the shadow of recent changes to the Ontario Heritage Act through Bill 23 and Bill 200. As the report notes, those bills give the city less time to identify and designate properties of cultural value. Properties that miss the deadline cannot be reconsidered for five years . That compressed timeline adds urgency to the June 24 council vote.

Owner Pushback and the City's Offer of Grants and Adjustments

Some property owners have expressed concerns about the potential designation , though the report does not detail their objections. Collins said the city tends to work with contenders to adjust aspects of the designation and can offer grants and financial incentives for upkeep. This suggests a collaborative approach, but it remains unclear whether all five owners will accept the terms.

James Strutt's Roof Experiments: Why These Buildings Matter

Architect James Strutt is renowned for his modernist designs and expressive use of shape and geometry, particularly around roof forms, according to Collins. The five properties exemplify his experimentation and are considered eye-catching landmarks. Preserving them would help maintain Ottawa's architectural diversity, as the city balances growth with heritage protection.

June 24 Council Vote: The Last Chance for Five Years

With the committee having carried the motions to designate all five properties, the final decision rests with city council on June 24. If the vote fails or is delayed, the properties cannot be reconsidered for half a decade under the amended act. The outcome will signal Ottawa's ability to act swiftly on modernist heritage before development pressures and legislatiive clock run out.