closed on Bank

 

(Top to bottom, 152, 156-158, 160 Bank Street, D. Chouinard, iPhone 11 Pro)

These three storefronts occupy the ground floor of a 19th century, 3-storey block built in the commercial-Italianate style. 

The block actually comprises two buildings, each with its own fenestration scheme. 160 is older, built over 1871 to 1873 (Enoch Walkley), extending farther back on its lot. 152-158 dates to 1894-1895.

 

The present state of disuse relates, somehow, to heritage restoration efforts. You can view a detailed City of Ottawa document that includes a discussion of the properties here. Note that the authors of this document describe the facade of #160 as consisting of "(artificial?) stone panel storefront at the ground level." I gave the thing a knock and a poke and trust me, it is artificial — textured plastic on a wood-and-styrofoam armature. The other two facades are brick veneer over the original brick.

Faux stone at #160