Historic Champlain Oil Gas Station Returns to Original Richmond Road Location
Structural engineers are preparing for a significant relocation project that will see the heritage Champlain Oil "cottage" gas station returned to its original location on Richmond Road in Ottawa. The move is scheduled for March 31, 2026, marking the second time in two years that the distinctive building will travel across the street.
A Building on the Move
The gas station has been sitting in a temporary parking lot at the corner of Island Park Drive and Richmond Road since June 2024. The upcoming relocation will utilize giant motorized wheels to transport the internally braced, life-sized structure back to its original home at 70 Richmond Road.
"The ultimate treatment is that we're moving the building as it is and we're moving it back," explained Ahmed Zayed, vice-president of development and construction for Trinity Group. "The entirety of the building, including the roof, is being retained and moved, hence the significance of it."
Preservation Efforts and Community Interest
The over-90-year-old gas station was originally constructed in 1934 and represents one of Ottawa's few remaining pre-Second World War service stations. Its cultural value stems from its construction during a period when car ownership was becoming increasingly popular and accessible to the general public.
According to a Heritage Impact Statement submitted during the rezoning process, the station's contextual value lies in its location on Richmond Road, which historically served as the main highway into Ottawa and played an integral role in the development of rural villages west of Bytown.
Jeff Leiper, city councilor for Kitchissippi ward where the gas station is located, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming move. "I generally find it really fascinating," Leiper said. "I think it's going to be fascinating watching it go back across the street where it will sit more permanently."
Leiper anticipates residents will gather to watch the relocation, similar to the 2024 move when more than twenty people observed the gas station rolling down the street. The work is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on March 31, with Trinity Group overseeing the careful transportation of the heritage structure.
Development Context and Preservation Agreement
The gas station was initially moved to make room for The Parkstone development project. As part of the preservation agreement, Trinity Group received permission to temporarily relocate the heritage building with the understanding that it would be returned to its original location once construction was complete.
The distinctive stucco-clad building, noted for its small and somewhat irregular shape, will now resume its permanent position on Richmond Road. The Heritage Impact Statement report, described as an "arm's length, independent study" by the City of Ottawa, determined the appropriate measures to protect the building's cultural heritage value during the development process.
This careful preservation effort demonstrates how modern development can coexist with historical conservation, ensuring that important pieces of architectural history remain accessible to future generations while allowing for necessary urban growth and renewal.
