Finalists chosen to redesign Nepean Point

Four design teams have been chosen as finalists to reimagine Nepean Point in downtown Ottawa, the home of a prominent statue of explorer Samuel de Champlain.

• NCC launches Nepean Point rejuvenation

The National Capital Commission announced Thursday it has shortlisted four teams after reviewing 26 submissions to redevelop the site, which sits between the National Gallery of Canada and the Alexandra Bridge and overlooks the Ottawa River.

The final four teams are:

• Ryan (PUBLIC WORK, KPMB Architects, Blackwell).
• Rosenberg (Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Patkau Architects, Blackwell, ERA Architects).
• Asselin (WAA Landscape Architecture, Tectoo Architecture, Milan Ingegneria).
• Geuze (West 8, Barry Padolsky Ass., Fotenn).

The design teams will have to submit their final proposals by Sept. 20, and the NCC plans to host a public exhibition and open house on Oct. 5. The NCC is aiming to pick a winner by November.

The first phase of construction would begin in 2019.

The site was first developed around 1910 and included a Victorian footbridge that was later removed. The statue of de Champlain was unveiled in 1915.

An outdoor amphitheatre was added for Canada's centennial in 1967, but the dressing rooms built into the hill have asbestos.

Nepean Point has been more difficult to access since the National Gallery was completed in 1988. 

The NCC has not revealed details of the four shortlisted proposals.