Featured Neighbourhood | Centretown has many great condo buildings. This video features Centretown data as well as building-specific data including average price per sqft, highest list price as well as the number of units sold.
Search through current active listings and buildings in Centretown to learn more about each condo building in the neighbourhood.
To learn more about some of the buildings featured, check out the link below:
Welcome to the newest edition of OC Cribs | Hard Loft in the Heart of Wellington Village. This month we check out Chris Spaull’s OC Cribs | Hard Loft at 120 Holland ave.
Historically, Ottawa hasn’t had the same demand for condos as other metropolitan cities. Our demographics didn’t dictate it, our job market wasn’t growing enough (outside of the government), and externalities didn’t put Ottawa on the map. Fast forward to today and things have changed. Baby Boomers are starting to retire and reconsider the value of their massive home against the realities of what they need now and moving forward. Ottawa is being talked about as “Silicon Valley North” with the massive success of Shopify and countless other companies that are about to hit. Nationally, the spotlight is on Ottawa. Toronto and Vancouver have seen major pricing spikes in real estate and declining numbers on livability forcing people to look at alternatives i.e. Ottawa. As a result, condos are a major talking point in the Ottawa real estate market. Not all condos are created the same, which are heavily influenced by the developer. The condo market is evolved and has been shaped by several developers over the decades. Here are the top five condo developers in Ottawa (in no particular order):
Urban Capital brought the trendy feel of Toronto condos to Ottawa. Specializing in the soft loft feel (exposed concrete and high ceilings in a new build), they took the condo market by storm with the three-phase East Market Condos. Based on that success, they went straight into Centretown and cemented themselves in Ottawa with a 24-story high-rise, The Mondrian. Urban Capital’s momentum and popularity were at an all-time high in Ottawa and they had one more gift… ok two, for Centretown. They single handily revitalized Centretown south of Gladstone Av with Central and The Hideaway.
Charlesfort Developments is the most distinct condo builder in Ottawa. Their art-deco style sets them apart from the pack and leaves a lasting impression wherever they build. Think I’m kidding, what’s one of the only things you can remember on Bronson Ave around the Glebe… the McDonalds? How about that cool building less than a block away? Thank you, Glasgow Condos! Wherever you look centrally in Ottawa, Charlesfort has a presence. The Golden Triangle has the Merit, Old Ottawa East has The Glassworks, and Centretown has Hudson Park, to name a few.
Claridge Homes is arguably the Condo Developer that has impacted the downtown condo market the most. Founded in 1986, Claridge started out as a home builder before expanding into condos. Today, their main claim to fame is twofold. One, they have shaped the Byward Market condo market into their own. They built York Plaza Condo, Claridge Plaza Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4, 700 Sussex, and (most recently, even though it’s not a condo) the Andaz Hotel. Moving slightly west, Claridge is about to make history. On the corner of Preston St and Carling Ave, a superstructure is being built. The 45-story Icon will be the tallest condo building in Ottawa. The first of its kind, the Icon will redefine the skyline in Ottawa and will spark the redevelopment of Preston St. that is long overdue.
Founded in 1976, Domicile Developments made a niche for itself in the low to mid-rise building class. They have primarily built units with lofty features (high-ceiling and big windows), blended with modern finishes. Domicile has built so many good projects over the years, it would take too long to talk about them all. Instead, here are a list of buildings Domicile has built-in popular neighbourhoods inside the Greenbelt:
The final entry on this list is Windmill Developments. Founded in 2003, Windmill set its sights on being the most environmentally friendly developer in Ottawa. Every one of their projects has the esteemed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. In addition, they have produced some landmark projects including The Eddy and Cathedral Hill and have a crown jewel set to launch shortly in Southminster Condos. That said, I think Windmill’s best project was The Currents, on the corners of Wellington and Holland (where the Great Canadian Theatre Company is). Ecstatically pleasing, large floor plans, and rarely an active listing in the building make The Currents a big hit!
Ottawa’s condo market is evolving. These top five condo developers in Ottawa have had a major part in shaping the market, the skyline, and the next generation of developers. They have set a precedent in the market and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
There is only one new condo building built in the last 3 year, which is set to open this year. Thank you, SoBa! So, what exactly happened to the ever-growing skyline of Centertown? First, we have to go back 12 years ago to 2007. This was the start of the condo boom in Centretown when you could buy a unit in the Mondrian pre-construction for under $200,000! With pricing like that the condo market started to take shape. Every developer was starting to build and frantically looking for more land. Coming into 2009, everyone in the market was making money. Seller’s were naming their price and getting great ROI, Buyers were jockeying for position to get into these brand-new condos, and developers were in helicopters trying to find the next big plot of land. Then, 2011 hit…. Hard… Mike Tyson right hook, hard! The market absorbed all the condos it could at rising prices and then it stopped. That wasn’t good news for all those buyers in the last few years living in dreamland thinking how fast the market was growing and not thinking, “Hey, is this market real or is it going to crash?”. Compounding problems, developers were scheduled to build phases of towers i.e. TriBeCa East and TriBeCa West with a shrinking condo market. Until roughly 2017, most people in the condo market were trying to recover, wait for pricing to get back to what they paid for and then some, while developers were pushing to get rid of 100’s of condos. Fast forward to today. Pricing has mostly recovered and developers have sold out the majority of their inventory. Great news, right?… Not really. Now that the market is getting interesting again, there aren’t any new project’s coming on the market.
Don’t be worried, the team at OC has done some digging and we’ve found 3 projects that should be coming on the market soon!
Ottawa’s biggest developer, Claridge Homes, has brought you some of the most popular condos in Ottawa, including Claridge Plaza Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 and TriBeCa West, East and Lofts. They are currently building a purpose-built rental building on Lisgar (The Onyx) and have several plans for Centretown and the Byward Market. That said, they are going to be the first developer to bring a new project to the market in Centretown. Located on the corner of Albert and Lyon (yes, right next to Ottawa’s saviour, the LRT), Moon Condos is set to be built. The site will contain 3 towers, 2-27 storey towers and 1-9 storey tower. Moon Condos will be one of the 2-27 storey towers, with the other tower being purpose-built rentals. The project is being designed by Neuf Architects and will have ground floor retail space (fingers crossed for a Starbucks) and will feature amenity spaces throughout the building. The unit mix will vary from 422 sq ft studio units to 956 sq ft 2-bedroom units. The project is currently reviewing comments by the community and other stakeholders, but the sales centre is built and we expect sales to start this year. For more details on the project, click here.
Moon Condo Ottawa – Future LRT Station
Moon Condo Ottawa – Development Site
Moon Condo Ottawa – Developers Application
180 Metcalfe St
180 Metcalfe St – Future Development Site
Arguably Centretown’s most popular condo building, TriBeCa has been a smashing hit with the market. If you want to live downtown there is no more convenient location with a grocery store in the lobby of the building, and steps to Elgin St. What more can you ask for? (A Starbucks? Great idea, just walk to the corner of Elgin and Lisgar and pick up your venti chai latte with extra whip!). Next door to TriBeCa is an art deco style heritage building called the Medical Arts building. It has some of the most amazing architecture but looks worn out. Recently, Jadco bought the building and the massive parking lot in the back is planning something special! They have proposed to keep the existing building, build out the back of the building to have 6 floors of commercial space, likely retail and office, and then construct a 27-story tower of residential. RMA Architects have assisted with the planning and the unit mix varies from 347 sq ft studio’s to 952 sq ft 2-bedroom units. The layouts from the plans to the city look quite promising. A Heritage permit was issued on October 12th, 2018, which means this project will likely go ahead with construction in the next 12-24 months. Unfortunately for all you condo buyers out there, it looks like the building will be designated as a purpose-built rental. Either way, this project is sure to wow all in Centretown. For more details on the project, click here.
267 O’Connor
267 O’Connor Development Site
SoHo isn’t just the name of a famous neighbourhood in New York City. It’s also the brand name of condos that Mastercraft Starwood has brought to Ottawa. The people that brought you SoHo Lisgar, SoHo Parkdale, and SoHo Champagne are looking to replicate their success with a second condo in Centretown. Located on the corner on O’Connor and Gilmour, the site is primed for redevelopment and would give that part of the neighbourhood a much-needed facelift. The project is proposing 2-27 story towers done in 2 phases with ground floor retail and 4 levels of underground parking. One unique feature of this proposed project is the massive flower bed and miniature park that will separate the buildings and act as an oasis in the heart of downtown. IBI Architects are assisting with the designs of the project. No further plans have been submitted regarding unit mixes, but you can assume the same style of all existing SoHo buildings. The application of the project is still pending with the city since August 6th, 2014. With the condo market starting to take shape again, we hope this project gets going soon. For more details on the project, click here.
It’s an exciting time in the condo market, prices are starting to climb, developers have an appetite to build again, and it’s never been a better time to live in Centretown. Combine that with the popularity of the Ottawa real estate market nationally and globally, we hope condo developments will start to flourish once again.
*This information is believed be accurate, but not guaranteed.
November 2018 market statistics continue displaying trends indicative of a fast-paced real estate market for Ottawa in 2018.
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 295 condominium-class properties in October 2018, an increase of 0.3% from November 2017.
The average sale price for a condo in Ottawa remains reasonable and steady at $285,764, an increase of 11.1% from this November last year. *
Between $175,000 to $274,999 was November’s most prevalent price point in the condominium market, accounting for almost 47% of the units sold.
Condo sales continued to lead the way in November which included a higher average price percentage increase than single-family residential sales this month.
Curious about November 2018 market statistics for residential class properties in Ottawa as well? Click here to read the full story.
*Average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
The October 2018 Market Statistics For Condominiums in Ottawa have Arrived!
October 2018 market statistics continue displaying trends indicative of a fast-paced real estate market for Ottawa in 2018.
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 324 condominium-class properties in October 2018, an increase of 24.1% from October 2017.
Average Days on Market (year-to-date) for condominiums in Ottawa are down 24% from 68 to 51 days.
The average sale price for a condo in Ottawa remains reasonable and steady at $271,350, a small increase of 0.6% from this October last year. *
Between $175,000 to $274,999 was the most active price point for condos in Ottawa this month, accounting for almost 53% of the units sold.
Lack of supply remains a force in Ottawa’s real estate market, compared to last year, condo inventory is 34.5% lower than October 2017.
Curious about October 2018 market statistics for residential class properties in Ottawa as well? Click here to read the full story.
*Average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
