Proposed Redevelopment of the Cook House

(3160 Albert St)

The Planning & Development Services Department of the City Planning & Community Development Division has received an application under the Contract Zone, Street Closure, and Subdivision (consolidation) procedures. This application for the Cook House is a request to amend the Heritage Designation Bylaw (2019-7) is also being reviewed by the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Branch.
The applicant proposes to redevelop the property at 3160 Albert Street to accommodate multi-family land uses. The property, also known as the “Cook Residence,” was designated as a Heritage Property on October 29, 2019 (Bylaw No. 2019-7). An amendment to this bylaw is required for the project to proceed. Subsequent alterations, such as repairs, demolitions, or additions to the building may be considered through a Heritage Alteration Permit. Any changes to the property must be consistent with the Heritage Designation Bylaw and the Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. Key features of the proposed development are as follows:

• Portions of the existing building would be retained, which includes the front of the building facing Albert Street including the front facing gable, and roof structure, chimneys, and all façade elements. This portion of the building would be relocated on the site to allow for construction of the new foundation and underground garage, and then placed on a new foundation to align with the front setback of the property to the north. The remainder of the existing building would be demolished. (The existing roof structure is shown as being shingled on the attached plan number 2.2; the new roof structure for the addition is shown as being striped.)
• New additions to the building would include development to the rear and the south side of the retained heritage structure. Development behind the heritage front would be two storeys in height and consist of four residential units to be accessed from the original entry. Development to the south of the heritage structure would be three storeys and consist of 12 residential units to be accessed from three separate common entries from grade.
• Thirty-four (34) parking stalls are proposed to be accommodated on-site. Twenty-four (24) stalls would be accommodated below grade with an access from the rear alley. Ten (10) stalls would be accessed at surface grade directly from the lane.

This application would remove certain references in the Bylaw that conflict with the proposed redevelopment. Most significantly, references to the sunroom as a heritage defining feature would be removed. References to the “concrete foundation” and “glass bottle bottoms” within the Bylaw are also proposed for removal. City Council’s approval is required to amend the Heritage Designation Bylaw.

A copy of the architectural rendering is attached below.

For 90 years, the Cook Residence has showcased the remarkable architecture of Van Egmond and Storey and the work of their highly skilled craftsmen. It has been home to several community leaders who helped to shape our city. It continues to exemplify the grandeur of the streetscape developed by McCallum, Hill and Co. and is the impressive south entry to the Albert Street corridor leading to the Legislative Building and bordering its spacious grounds.
Erasing its legacy by grossly altering the protected character defining elements of this home severely undermines over a century of effort from hardworking citizens and community-minded visionaries who believed that the city of Regina could be so much more than just a collection of buildings and roadways.

Heritage Regina would like you to add your voice to this discussion on September 16th at 7:00pm.

Your voice counts.
Jackie Schmidt
President, Heritage Regina
LINK: City of Regina: Cook House Development Application Circulation Amendment to designation Sept 2020

Cook House – Proposal Exterior