Bank Street

Bank Street in a probably the longest street in Ottawa; its north end starts at Wellington Street and it ends Conroy road close to the Ottawa airport.  Its north section, ending at the Rideau River in Sunnyside, is certainly the most interesting section as it is goes through older neighbourhoods and serves as the main commercial streets with proximity shops.  

Its south section, from Riverside Drive to Conroy Road, is still a commercial street but as it gets wider, it is populated with big box store and national chains.

~1970
2014
Bank Street between James and Gladstone Avenue in 1970
Bank Street between James and Gladstone Avenue in 2014
sources
Ross Dunn
Title: Untitled. Reference number: No reference number provided.
We gave it a
+4
More density, more people, more services, same ambiance.
Visitors's vote
+1.5
136 votes
Vote here
  • -5
  • -3
  • 0
  • +3
  • +5
better
now
better
before
This comparison of Bank Street in Ottawa is interesting on many fronts.  First, from a photographic point of view, it is one of the rare archival photos (actually, it is the first one we have ever done) that was shot with a long focal length; 200 mm in this case.Two...
Read more >>
~1910
2014
Corner of Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue in Ottawa around 1910
Corner of Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue in Ottawa with Fauna Restaurant in 2014
sources
Ross Dunn
Title: Untitled. Reference number: No reference number provided.
We gave it a
-1
The ambiance was preserved, but there is less density.
Visitors's vote
-1.8
129 votes
Vote here
  • -5
  • -3
  • 0
  • +3
  • +5
better
now
better
before
Bank Street has a long legacy of being the commercial street as this archival photo shows with the numerous shops at the corner of Gladstone Avenue.  Two elements caught our attention on the archival photo:  the first one being the man in the forefront, potentially a postman from his uniform...
Read more >>
~1940
2014
Bank Street and Gladstone avenue intersection around 1940
Bank Street and Gladstone avenue intersection in 2014
sources
Urbsite
Title: Untitled. Reference number: No reference number provided.
We gave it a
-2
Human-scale buildings. Lost of the Rialto. More vacant lots.
Visitors's vote
-2.5
124 votes
Vote here
  • -5
  • -3
  • 0
  • +3
  • +5
better
now
better
before
Around 1940, the Gladstone Avenue and Bank Street intersection offered a great variety of shops and restaurants.  Two lines of streetcars were present which one of them continued its route on Gladstone Avenue.Since several decades, the north side of this intersection is not getting anywhere or has even regressed with...
Read more >>
~1970
2014
People in front of the Rialto in Ottawa around 1970
Former peoeple on bank,
sources
The Way We Were
Title: Untitled. Reference number: No reference number provided.
We gave it a
-3
Parking spaces are there since a few decaded. Lack of people with style.
Visitors's vote
-4.0
104 votes
Vote here
  • -5
  • -3
  • 0
  • +3
  • +5
better
now
better
before
The Rialto on Bank Street at Frank Street opened in 1914 and was known as the "Little Clarey".   Right after the WWI, Tom Clarey sold the theatre and it became "The Fern" until it shot down in 1930....
x close

Stay Updated!

Receive an email everytime we publish a new comparison.








submit

ps. don't worry, we keep your email for ourself.