After years of deliberations, negotiations, a sink hole, and multiple delays, the LRT is finally open! The City of Ottawa can finally rejoice and bear the fruits of its new transit system. Outside of the traffic decongestion, shorter commute times, lower environmental impact, and general travelling convenience; the O-Train is going to have an impact on condo living. Older buildings that were looked over by condo buyers, buildings with a low walk score, and buildings with poor operational history, if in the right location, will get a rejuvenated vibe and attract a new set of buyers. Let’s take a journey down the Confederation Line from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Rideau Station and see what’s in store for the downtown Ottawa condo market!
Tunney’s has been long view as a secluded government complex in the middle of the city. With some condos, it’s walkable enough to the hustle and bustle of Hintonburg and Wellington West, but not the most convenient of walks. As a result, condo pricing has remained relatively low to that of its neighbouring neighbourhoods. Injecting the O-Train will give this neighbourhoods condo market a fresh sense of energy and can create multiple scenarios for condo buying value in the city.
- Walking Distance to Condos near Tunney’s Pasture Station:
- Parkdale Terrace | 215 Parkdale: 5-minutes
- Soho Parkdale | 201 Parkdale: 6-minutes
- Wellington West Lofts | 16 Hamilton Ave: 8-minutes
Trinity Station is the star development in the area. Currently, the towers are slated to be built as rentals. Fingers crossed they change their mind so Ottawa can have it’s first 65 story condo building!
- Walking Distance to Condos near Bayview Station:
- The Eddy | 1000 Wellington St: 10-minutes
Pimisi aka Lebreton Flats is our next stop. Often viewed as a small condo development nestled just outside the downtown core, the area is primed for so much more. Kanaal, Zibi’s first Ontario building is about to open in 2020, which is the first of many new buildings slated for the area. The major redevelopment of the area lies with the NCC and failed bid to, among other things, bring the Senators and new arena downtown (in my opinion; where it belongs!). Once this is resolved and moving forward, LeBreton Flats could become a premier destination for condo dwellers in Ottawa. One thing is certain, it’s going to be far more convenient to travel to and from LeBreton Flats with Pimisi open!
- Walking Distance to Condos near Pimisi Station:
- Kanaal: to be determined, but very close!
- Lebreton Flats Phase 2 | 250 Lett St: 5-minutes
- Fusion Lebreton Flats | 300 Lett St: 5-minutes
- Lebreton Flats Phase 1 | 200 Lett St: 6-minutes
West Centretown is about to get a huge face lift. Walking down that side of Centretown does leave much to the imagination as it’s a series of older office buildings, condos, and parking lots. Claridge has launched their new building, Moon, directly under the LRT stop and Main on Main just announced their plans for a huge mixed-use development.
- Walking Distance to Condos near Lyon Station:
- Tribeca Moon | 340 Queen St: 1-minute
- Park Square | 151 Bay St: 3-minutes
- The Pinnacle | 445 Laurier Av W: 4-minutes
- Gotham | 224 Lyon St N: 6-minutes
- Bay Laurier Place | 470 Laurier Av W: 6-minutes
- 475 Laurier Av W: 6-minutes
- The Gardens |85 & 95 Bronson Av: 6-minutes
- Cathedral Hill | 428 Sparks St: 6-minutes
- Queen Elizabeth Towers | 500 & 530 Laurier Av W: 7-minutes
- Kevlee Tower | 556 Laurier Av W: 8-minutes
- The Bowery | 255 Bay St: 8-minutes
- The Laurier | 570 Laurier Av W: 10-minutes
Every city has a cornerstone location, Ottawa’s is Parliament Hill. Home to the political and influential capital of the country, most major activity happens here. As such, the area is well developed save and except for the ReResidences. This project will feature one of a kind Parliament Hill views that won’t be replicated.
- Walking Distance to Condos near Parliament Station:
- ReResidences | 101 Queen: 3 min
- The Slater | 199 Slater: 4 min
- The Mondrian | 324 Laurier Av W: 6-minutes
- Kent Towers | 199 Kent St: 7-minutes
- Hudson Park Phase 1 | 235 Kent St: 8-minutes
- Hudson Park Phase 2 | 245 Kent St: 8-minutes
- Soho Lisgar | 300 Lisgar St: 8-minutes
- Metropolitan Phase 2 | 374 Cooper St: 9-minutes
- The Everett | 375 Lisgar St: 9-minutes
- Metropolitan Phase 1 | 364 Cooper St: 10-minutes
- Tribeca | 179 Metcalfe St: 10-minutes
- Tribeca East | 40 Nepean St: 11-minutes
- Tribeca Lofts | 197 Lisgar St: 11-minutes
- 18 Nepean St: 11-minutes
Rideau Street has been through a tough stretch. Historically, it was a major commerce and trade centre for decades. Since the announcement of the O-Train, it has been partially open, but mostly closed, for years. The Rideau Station completion marks the reopening of the street and connection of the Byward Market with the Rideau Centre in a more meaningful way for visitors. The Market has seen various multi-phase condo projects over time (Claridge Plaza, East Market Lofts, and the Galleria, to name a few) that will benefit. Special note for 90 George owners and future owners: having an O-Train stop right next to your building is a big plus!
- Walking Distance to Condos near Rideau Station:
- 90 George St: 2-minutes
- Claridge Plaza Phase 1 | 200 Rideau St: 3-minutes
- Claridge Plaza Phase 2 | 234 Rideau St: 4-minutes
- 700 Sussex St: 4-minutes
- Art Haus | 20 Daly St: 4-minutes
- Place St George | 160 George St: 4-minutes
- Claridge Plaza Phase 3 | 242 Rideau St: 4-minutes
- Claridge Plaza Phase 4 | 195 Besserer St: 5-minutes
- Royale | 245 Rideau St: 5-minutes
- East Market Phase 3 | 179 George St: 5-minutes
- York Plaza | 134 York St: 6-minutes
- Clarence Lofts | 144 Clarence St: 6-minutes
- 12 Clarence St: 6-minutes
- Galleria Phase 1 | 200 Besserer St: 6-minutes
- Galleria Phase 2 | 238 Besserer St: 6-minutes
- East Market Phase 2 | 383 Cumberland St: 6-minutes
- East Market Phase 1 | 180 York St: 7-minutes
- Gallery Court | 15 & 35 Murray St: 7-minutes
- The Lanesborough | 260 Besserer St: 8-minutes
The O-Train is finally open, sigh of relief Ottawa! The convenience of it should be felt immediately and the coming condo pricing swing (yes, up) shouldn’t be to far behind.
