IKEA Canada plans 3 storey tall outdoor digital billboard at Ottawa store

The IKEA location on Iris Street in Ottawa. IKEA Canada is planning to build an LED screen on the northwest facing wall of IKEA. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

IKEA Canada wants to install a new giant digital billboard at its store in Ottawa’s west end.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, IKEA Canada says it plans to install a 50 ft. by 37.8 ft. LED screen on the exterior northwest facing wall of the IKEA store on Iris Street, facing Highway 417.

The LED screen would use a light sensor to vary brightness day to night, but IKEA says the brightness would not exceed 5,000 Nit.

“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to finding better ways to meet our customers,” Keresha Busquine, Market Manager of IKEA Ottawa, said in an email.

“By moving from printed graphics to digital signage, we can communicate in a more engaging way while reducing the waste, energy and materials traditionally required for print – supporting a more sustainable every day.”

Coun. Laine Johnson will introduce a motion at Wednesday’s planning and housing committee meeting to permit IKEA to install the larger sign at its store.

Johnson’s motion notes the proposed sign by IKEA does not comply with the permanent signs on Private Property Bylaw. Johnson says the maximum area of the wall sign would be equal to 37 per cent of the wall area at IKEA, while the bylaw limits the size to 25 per cent.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App