Ontario Construction News staff writer
Gatineau-based real estate developer Brigil is poised to begin construction “shortly” on a major mixed-use development at the site of Ottawa’s former Greyhound bus terminal, according to recent media reports and City of Ottawa planning documents.
The 2.8-acre property at 265 Catherine St. will be transformed into a high-density residential and commercial hub. According to recently updated city planning records, the approved project features 1,164 residential units spread across three high-rise towers of 32, 34 and 36 storeys, anchored by two six-storey podiums and a block of three-storey townhouses facing Arlington Avenue.
The Ottawa Business Journal reported recently that the developer plans to break ground on the site shortly. Planning documents outline that the project will be built in two phases, starting with a 32-storey tower fronting Catherine Street that will deliver roughly 423 apartments.
Phase two will follow with the construction of the 34- and 36-storey towers, alongside seven townhouse units, adding the remaining 741 residential units. Suite layouts across the development will range from bachelors to three-bedroom units, with Brigil indicating an intention to designate 100 units as affordable housing.
In keeping with Ottawa’s push for transit-oriented, 15-minute neighbourhoods, the project relies heavily on active transportation infrastructure. The site will feature a two-level underground garage with a total of 667 vehicle parking spaces — a ratio well below previous historical zoning maximums — while providing 1,193 bicycle parking spaces, which is more than double the city’s minimum requirement.
According to the city’s site plan approval report, the development will include a minimum of 20 per cent privately owned public space. This will take the form of woonerf-style lanes, patios, gardens and an approximately 1,000-sq. m. public plaza at the northeast corner of the site, complete with a public washroom facility. The ground-floor commercial component is expected to house retail, restaurants and cafes to animate the streetscape.
Brigil purchased the site in early 2021 and demolished the vacant bus station, which had operated there since the 1970s, the following year.
Brigil vice-president of development Jessy Desjardins has long highlighted the location’s potential to act as a bridge between the downtown core and the Glebe neighbourhood. He told the Ottawa Business Journal during the planning stages that pursuing higher density allows for more economically viable commercial spaces.
“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 the rents for those commercial spaces.”
