Urban ‘re’-newal on Sparks Street
By Caroline Phillips, The Ottawa Citizen
The launch of Ashcroft’s ‘re’, a boutique hotel and luxury condo complex planned for Sparks Street, was so heavily attended that even the walk-in closet in the model suite became a party hangout during the buzz-generating bash.
Hundreds of movers and shakers squeezed their way into the lobby and show room on Wednesday, but not before first passing by a pair of parked Mercedes, including a half-million-dollar SLR McLaren Roadster from Star Motors
Once inside, guests could learn about the units while sipping lychee martinis and nibbling on food by chef Matt Carmichael and by Thyme and Again. Upping the wow factor were models draped in fashions from Holt Renfrew and bling from Jubilee Jewellers (sadly, the male model lazing on the bed, next to a diamond necklace, wasn’t included with a condo purchase).
Ashcroft Homes president David Choo, wearing a turtleneck and blazer, was seen mingling with guests while star real estate broker Marnie Bennett and Ottawa architect Rod Lahey were equally engaged with potential buyers. Ottawa Senators consultant Dave Ready was spotted with March Networks CEO Peter Strom and Bell executive Gary Cameron.
Fairmont Château Laurier GM Claude Sauvé was there, as were Dick Brown from the hotel association, executive recruiter Ron Robertson and his wife, Brenda, urban planners Ted Fobert and Robert Tennant, and power couple Barbara and Len Farber.
As well, there were Sakto’s Brian Murray and his brother, lawyer Patrick Murray, lobbyist Greg MacEachern and journalist Susan Delacourt, and Grant McDonald and his wife, Carol Devenny, both of whom are partners at major auditing firms. Their son, Braden, is graduating from Ashbury College and getting ready to fly the nest, so the Rockcliffe Park couple could be in the market for a condo with a priceless view of Parliament Hill.
Dining with diplomat
Leave it to organizing committee member Alana Abraham, who works in the house-selling biz, to “stage” the Rockcliffe Park community hall and public library complex for Friday’s big cocktail reception. The sold-out event was part of Dining With The Ambassadors, which raised more than $20,000 for the Friends of the Village of Rockcliffe Park Foundation.
For the first hour, the 118 guests enjoyed the coziness of a fireplace and lit candles, as well as the elegant sight of linen-covered tables with fancy serving platters borrowed from organizing committee member Donna Roberts. For an added homey touch, Abraham, who’s the executive director of Sutton Group Premier Realty, rolled up one of her own rugs from home and brought it along for the floor.
On hand was the event’s chairwoman, Maureen Boyd. “The suspense is killing me,” charity lawyer Russell Gibson told her upon his arrival. Guests didn’t learn until a little later where and with whom they were to break bread that night. The 10 participating embassies and high commissions were Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey and Uganda.
The favourite pick was the Irish ambassador’s residence among guests eager to check out its impressive renovations. OttawaVanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur was excited about being hosted by German Ambassador Georg Witschel and his wife, Sabine, because her fiancé, Hawkesbury hospital CEO Marc LeBoutillier, speaks German. “Basic German,” he clarified.
Present were the foundation’s chairwoman, Bonnie Robinson, and her husband, Andy, Ottawa-Vanier MP Mauril Bélanger and his wife, Catherine, Tom d’Aquino and his wife, Susan, and luxury car dealer Jeff Mierins and his partner, Tara-Leigh Brouillette. Also spotted were Ottawa’s chief librarian, Barbara Clubb, Elmwood School’s Cheryl Boughton and Ashbury’s Tam Matthews.
You gotta have heart
The Blue Cactus Bar & Grill in the ByWard Market set the scene for a high-powered gabfest as scores of business people came together Monday for noshing and networking at the 4th Annual Heart of Glass, raising $88,000 for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Such shoulder-rubbing meant lawyer Lawrence Greenspon turned it up a notch when it came time for him to auction off trips, jewelry and other luxury items. Fortunately, he had the chutzpah to work the room. He hopped up on the restaurant booths with microphone in hand to grab the attention of the 230-person crowd
The biggest-ticket item was a trip for two to the Grammy Awards in L.A. It sold for $7,000 to Lang Michener partner Charlie Saikaley, who plans to bring his daughter, Tamara, 18. Lise Léger felt “like a princess” in the Pat Flesher Furs cardigan her highest-bidding boyfriend, TK Group president and CEO Milan Topolovec, won for her. Ian and Melissa Shabinsky bought the Sonoma County wine-tasting trip to celebrate their 20th anniversary while Nick Pantieras of Primecorp Commercial Realty and his wife, Cathy, will be sharing a beachfront villa with their friends, Nick and Helen Konsoulas, in Cozumel, Mexico, after nabbing that auction item.
Present was Sam Firestone, a principal at Primecorp and president of the Firestone Restaurant Group, which runs the Blue Cactus as well as Luxe Bistro and Stella Osteria. His sister, Ida, was also on the organizing committee and will be working with U.S. diplomat wife Julie Jacobson to put together a Heart Institute fundraiser for women’s health.
The Firestone family once again partnered with Leaders at Heart, a group of business folks helping to raise money for the Heart Institute. Peter van Roon of RBC attended, as did Alain Desmarais and Peter Rywak from Cushman & Wakefield, and investment executive Alan Blostein with his wife, Margo. Also there were Heart Institute Foundation staff and such board members as lawyers Lawrence Soloway and Don Bayne; Whit Tucker; and Dr. Don Beanlands, retired deputy director general of the Heart Institute, seen talking with his son, Dr. Rob Beanlands, chief of cardiac imaging.
One harmonious night
The beautiful stone-walled basement of St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities made it feel like one was hanging out in an actual wine cellar at The Red and White wine-tasting night for Harmony House, a second-stage shelter for women and their children fleeing domestic abuse.
More than 150 guests sampled Prince Edward County wines Thursday while a trio from the Ottawa Symphony performed. In attendance were such supporters as Donna Floyd from Keller Williams Realty; board president Amy Heron and board member Sarah Pike; and fundraising committee members Clementine Van Veen from RBC Dominion Securities and Linda Bruce from Hydro Ottawa.
© The Ottawa Citizen
