Your City Hall approved a tiny apartment building for Lowertown
Bonjour à tous, and welcome back to The Record. We’re digging into the latest building permits and development applications straight from City Hall’s planning department – and believe me, these are more exciting than a Senate committee meeting, *c’est certain*.
The real story is never on the Hill — it's always just off it. And today, it's just off it in Lowertown, specifically at 13 Queen Street West, Ward 1. The city just issued a permit for a brand-new, two-storey detached dwelling with *three* units. This isn't some massive condo tower, non. This is a compact, infill project, valued at $1,381,160. For those of you who worry about the character of your neighbourhood, this is the kind of gentle intensification that often flies under the radar. It adds housing without completely overwhelming existing streetscapes.
Here’s what else caught my eye:
* **Industrial upgrades:** Sunbelt Film & TV out on Cantay Road (Ward 5) is putting $60,465 into new washrooms. Even industrial spaces need proper facilities, *n’est-ce pas*? * **Aquitaine Avenue conversion:** A guest suite at 2770 Aquitaine Avenue (Ward 9) is being converted into a residential suite for $48,750. More small-scale housing additions.
While that little residential project got the green light, there are some bigger files still cooking. For example, a residential apartment building at 1970 and 1980 Fowler Drive in Ward 8 is still "Application in Process." This one will be a much larger build and potentially a bigger conversation for residents in the area.
This small Queen Street West project, though, speaks to the ongoing quiet growth within established neighbourhoods. Watch to see if more of these smaller-scale, multi-unit dwellings pop up as the city tries to meet its housing targets.
Simone Okafor-Bouchard, MiTL Sports Desk, Ottawa.
Need more details on this? My colleagues on the morning show dive deep every day. Catch them at mornings.live.