Discover

'Rideau Centre' is a three-level shopping center on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It borders on Rideau Street (and the Byward Market), the Rideau Canal, the Mackenzie King Bridge, and Nicholas Street.

At the time of its construction in 1981 and 1982, the Rideau Centre was somewhat controversial. Many people were opposed to the destruction of several heritage buildings on Rideau Street (such as the Metropolitan department store, Del-Mar restaurant and others). Others feared the impact of increased traffic and buses on the area. The Eaton's department store chain, one of the partners in the development, caused further controversy when it attempted to rename the mall the "Rideau Eaton Centre" while it was still under construction; the company backed down in the face of local opposition to the name change.^[1]

The Rideau Centre opened on March 16, 1983, and today it is a major transport and shopping hub in downtown Ottawa. The centre's proximity to the shops in the Byward Market and on Rideau Street, and its location near most of the City's main attractions, contribute to its status as one of the region's top shopping and tourist destinations.
The Rideau Centre complex also includes approximately 180 other retailers, the Westin Hotel, a rooftop park, a movie theatre and the Ottawa Congress Centre. With 740,757 square feet (66668 m²) in size it is the fourth largest shopping centre in the Ottawa-Gatineau area (behind the St. Laurent Centre, Les Promenades de l'Outaouais and Bayshore Shopping Centre). Significant expansions of both the Rideau Centre and the Convention Centre are planned for the near future.
The Rideau Centre also has a rooftop garden with views of part of the Byward Market, the Rideau Canal, the Château Laurier, and the Parliament buildings. During the annual Tulip Festival, the garden is filled with tulips.

The Rideau Centre and the adjacent National Defence building are both served by OC Transpo's Mackenzie King Transitway station, which is served by a number of major bus routes and will also be a stop of the extended O-Train line.
A transit study in 1996 showed that 60 percent of the shoppers were using public transit most notably due to very frequent service from several cross-town routes coming from all areas of Ottawa as well as some additionnal service from STO buses in Gatineau.[2] Sparse and expensive parking in the Rideau Street area may also suggest the higher percentage of shoppers taking the bus.

Contents

See also

Notes

See also

★ Eaton Centre

★ A list of Canada's largest shopping malls

Notes

1. "Sens, Habs rivalry may have to do", National Post, April 16, 2006 [1]