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Tag: Ottawa Developments

Dec

Top Five Condo Developers in Ottawa

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

Style: Soft Lofts
Founded: 1996
First Project: East Market – Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3
Best Project: Hideaway
Popular Projects:
- Mondrian
- Central – Phase 1 and Phase 2

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

Style: Art Deco
Founded: 1983
First Project: Glassworks
Best Project: The Merit
Popular buildings:

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

Style: Big high-rises
Founded: 1986
First Project: ??
Best Project: Icon
Popular Projects
- The Plaza’s – Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4
- TriBeCa – West, East and Lofts
- Lebreton Flats – Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 Fusion
- 429 Somerset

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.

Domicile Developments

Style: Lofty feel, Art Deco, modern finishes
Founded: 1976
First Project: ??
Best Project: Studio Argyle
Popular Projects

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:

Centretown:

Old Ottawa East:

Corners on Main

Little Italy:

Westboro:

The Exchange

Wellington West:

Windmill Developments

Style: Soft Lofts
Founded: 2003
First Project: The Currents
Best Project: The Currents
Popular Projects:

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.

Nov

Lamb Developments Take Over Centretown

The skyline in Centretown has been relatively bland. A lot of office buildings and a few interesting high-rise condos here and there, but not much that stands out. Luckily for Ottawa, a Torontonian had a vision. Brad Lamb’s real estate empire is growing. A successful agent, Brad evolved into owning top Toronto Condo Brokerage, Brad J Lamb Realty, and he parlayed those successes into becoming a Real Estate Developer with Lamb Development Corp. With hit projects such as Worklofts, The Brandt Park, and King Charlotte, Brad created a winning formula that could be replicated anywhere. Enter Ottawa, a hyper-local condo market with minimal developer influence from outside of Ottawa. The condo market needed a fresh injection of outside influence and inspiration, which came in the form of Lamb’s Gotham and SoBa condominium buildings.

Gotham

Located on the corner of Gloucester St and Lyon St, Gotham marked Lamb’s first condo development in Ottawa. Perfectly named, Gotham brought to life what you would think of when you hear the name (or New York?). Larger than life (seriously the front door is the largest I’ve seen in Ottawa), a towering presence, and the “wow” factor make this project stand out. The cherry on the top for Gotham is its proximity to the O-Train’s Confederation Line. When the building was completed in 2015, the proximity to the O-Train’s Lyon Station was thought to be a good thing; now with the O-Train finally opening, it’s elevating the status of the building.

This is an exterior image of Soba Condo Ottawa – 203 Catherine St – Centretown

SoBa

The long awaiting follow-up to Gotham is SoBa. SoBa, or South of Bank St, is aptly named as it borders two of the best neighbourhoods in Ottawa, The Glebe and Centretown. A condo dweller’s dream, residents can venture into multiple parks, shops, café’s, and restaurants. The architecture of the building is something to behold. It breaks the mould of most condo towers in Ottawa with multiple tiers that make the building look like a cool Jenga tower. Crowning SoBa as a condo dweller’s dream is a full suite of amenities including a gym, party room, pool, and concierge to create the ultimate level of condo convenience.

Value Condos

Price Tags, whether they are at the dollar store or the department store (ok, amazon.ca); we’re always looking at them. And when the price tag shows a good deal, even better! Looking at the condo market, Brad Lamb’s buildings are showing strong value trading around $520/sq ft. Compare that to other newly built buildings and highly anticipated preconstruction projects, such as The River Terraces at Greystone Village ($583/sq ft), Claridge Icon ($605/sq ft), Claridge Royale ($641/sqft), and Zibi ($716/sq ft) and his buildings look like a deal. When you see a deal on a price tag you buy it, right?

Cool Soft Loft Feel

The “Lofty Feel” has become a major trend in condos in Ottawa. The exposed concrete, high ceilings, massive windows and modern finishes are some of the finer details of soft lofts. In Ottawa, soft lofts were first made popular with Urban Capital’s East Market Lofts projects. That said, Brad Lamb wanted to put his own stamp on the soft loft market in Ottawa. His mix of industrial elements such as the exposed pipes in the hallways along with sleek coloured cabinets and stone in units have made his units more appealing to the eye.

The skyline in Centretown has evolved and Gotham and SoBa are changing the condo market. We can’t wait to see what Brad Lamb has in store for Ottawa next!

Mar

Re Residences Condo Ottawa is Breaking Ground on Sparks Street

It’s that time! Nothing brings more excitement to a condo project than ground-breaking (except moving in ;)). The Re Residences Condo Ottawa is breaking ground on Sparks Street and the dig has begun. This project has a history of stop and go. Back in 2010, Ashcroft Homes announced this landmark project that was set to include condominium units and a boutique hotel. Due to a lack of sales, the development was put on hold. Fast Forward to 2017 and construction is underway.

After generations of success, Sparks Street lost its standing at the premiere street in Ottawa. Following this, the city saw a tremendous rise in popularity of Bank St, Wellington St, Richmond Rd, and Beechwood Ave. For years, the city has been working to bring back the allure of Sparks Street and the Re Residence is a major piece of that revitalization. First, there was the opening of the wildly popular restaurant, Riviera. Following the success of El Camino and Datsun just around the corner on Elgin Street, Chef Michael Carmichael had the vision to make the Old Bank Building on Sparks Street one of Ottawa’s most popular restaurants. With the growing popularity of Riviera, the city is starting to remember the glory days of Sparks Street. Sparks Street is also home to some of Ottawa’s annual festivals including PoutineFest, RibFest and BuskerFest, just to name a few. Further, with the construction of Ottawa’s most exclusive address; the Re Residences Condo Ottawa is primed to help the evolution of Sparks Street.

This project is set to redefine luxury condo living in Ottawa. First class amenities include a butler service, a high-end restaurant in the building, a spa, SkyLounge for residents to enjoy, and unobstructed views of Parliament Hill, Ottawa River, Gatineau Hills, Byward Market, and LeBreton Flats from the rooftop terrace. Perfectly situated, the Re Residences is poised to help bring back the glory days of Sparks Street.