Ontario Construction News staff writer
Brigil, a real estate developer from Gatineau, is getting ready to kick off construction “shortly” on a significant mixed-use project at the location of Ottawa’s old Greyhound bus terminal, according to recent reports and documents from the City of Ottawa.
The 2.8-acre lot at 265 Catherine St. will be developed into a bustling residential and commercial area. Updated city planning records reveal that the approved plan includes 1,164 residential units across three tall towers standing at 32, 34, and 36 storeys high, complemented by two six-storey podiums and a section of three-storey townhouses facing Arlington Avenue.
The Ottawa Business Journal recently reported that Brigil intends to break ground on this site soon. Planning documents indicate that the development will unfold in two phases, starting with a 32-storey tower along Catherine Street that will offer around 423 apartments.
The second phase will involve building the remaining 34- and 36-storey towers along with seven townhouse units, which will add another 741 residential units. The layouts for these apartments will range from studios to three-bedroom homes, with Brigil committing to designating 100 units as affordable housing.
Aligning with Ottawa’s vision for transit-oriented, vibrant neighbourhoods within a short distance of services, this project emphasizes active transportation options. It will feature a two-level underground parking garage accommodating up to 667 vehicles – significantly below historical zoning limits – alongside provision for 1,193 bicycle parking spaces, which exceeds the city’s minimum requirement by more than double.
The city’s site plan approval report states that at least 20 percent of the space will be privately owned public areas. These spaces will include woonerf-style lanes, patios, gardens, and an approximately 1,000-sq. m. public plaza located at the northeast corner of the property complete with public restrooms. The ground-floor retail section is expected to host shops, eateries, and cafes to enhance street life.
Brigil acquired the site in early 2021 and demolished the vacant bus station that had been operating there since the ’70s in the following year.
Jessy Desjardins, Brigil’s vice-president of development, has consistently pointed out how this location can serve as a link between downtown Ottawa and the Glebe neighbourhood. During planning discussions with the Ottawa Business Journal he mentioned that opting for higher density would make commercial spaces more economically sustainable.
“When we look at the post-pandemic economic revival it’s going to be important that developers have a vision of encouraging local businesses to establish themselves,” Desjardins said. “By having a bit more density it allows us to reduce rents for those commercial spaces.”
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