CBRE is marketing a long-coveted Ottawa development opportunity to create a new community at a 6.5-acre site owned by Canada Lands Company (CLC) known as the Booth Street Complex.

CLC, which declined RENX’s interview request because it is a Crown corporation and the country is now in a federal election campaign, acquired the site for its assessed market value in 2015 from Natural Resources Canada.

CBRE senior vice-president Jamie Boyce told RENX that CLC has “added significant value to the site” through its efforts in putting together a master plan, obtaining mixed-use zoning approval and remediating the property.

“CLC believes the time is right to sell the property,” Boyce said, noting it has received “positive interest” from local and national developers and there has been “good momentum” since CBRE started marketing it on March 7.

CLC specializes in real estate and development as well as attractions management. It reports to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Public Services and Procurement.  

Heritage buildings will be part of redevelopment

The property has seven vacant buildings that range in height from two to four storeys. Five of them have a City of Ottawa heritage designation due to their architectural style and significance to the historical development of Canada’s mining and energy industries. A former central heating plant, which includes a smokestack, is considered a community landmark. 

The redevelopment is the largest heritage designation project in CLC’s history.

The City of Ottawa unanimously approved CLC’s official plan, secondary plan and zoning bylaw for the property in 2019. That includes a commitment to include 10 per cent affordable housing in any future development. 

The development concept envisions a mixed-use community with approximately a million square feet of density, including approximately 1,000 housing units, commercial space at grade and the repurposing of the more than 140,000 square feet in the retained heritage structures. Buildings are projected to range from four to 25 storeys.

The site will also include the half-acre Norman Rochester Park, which will be a valuable addition to the gentrifying neighbourhood. The proposed public park's amenities include a water play feature, a playground area, a basketball key, a shade shelter, a public gathering area, furniture, landscaping, trees and pathways.

CLC has prepared the property for redevelopment through the completion of hazardous material abatement of all the buildings, deconstruction of three buildings and sub-surface environmental remediation. 

Desirable location in a growing area

The site occupies an entire city block bordered by Orangeville, Rochester, Booth and Norman streets in Ottawa’s growing Little Italy neighbourhood, not far from the Dow’s Lake recreation and tourist area -- one of the city's most popular destinations.

Little Italy has been the site of significant residential construction in recent years, including the city's tallest residential highrise, the 45-storey Claridge Icon which overlooks Dow's Lake. Additional densification is continuing in the area. 

The Booth Street property is located within a couple of minutes of driving distance of the central business district and Parliament Hill. It offers easy access to shopping, dining and lifestyle options, and is 600 metres from the future Ottawa Civic Hospital campus.

The location is also: connected to pedestrian and cycling paths; convenient for public transit, including the light rail transit system about two blocks away; and offers close proximity to Highway 417. 

Ottawa’s population is growing and the nation’s capital is now home to over a million people. The Booth Street site redevelopment will be a significant addition to the 25 currently active residential projects in the city, which represent about 5,000 housing units of various types.

Offers for what Boyce called the “fantastic site” are being accepted until April 14.