Ottawa Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA – The face of Westboro is poised for a dramatic transformation as developers propose a trio of high-density residential projects that could represent a combined construction investment exceeding $600 million, according to industry cost benchmarks and planning documents.
The proposals, which range from a controversial 27-storey tower on Richmond Road to a multi-tower reconfiguration at the former Granite Curling Club site, highlight the ongoing tension between the city’s intensification goals and established community design guidelines.
The most contentious of the three proposals involves the current Tubman Funeral Home property at 403 Richmond Rd. Developer Mastercraft Starwood has brought forward a concept plan for a 27-storey building—branded as SOHO Westboro—which would contain 272 units.
While specific contract values remain private, the developer stated that the high-density 27-storey model is required to make the property “financially viable.” Based on 2026 market data from the Altus Group and RSMeans, which peg luxury high-rise construction in Ottawa at upwards of $450 per square foot, industry analysts estimate the construction value of the SOHO project at between $115 million and $140 million.
The proposal represents a significant departure from current zoning. In 2021, Ottawa City Council approved a nine-storey buildout for the site. Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper, chair of the city’s planning committee, has already signaled his opposition.
“It’s a walkable traditional street in a streetcar neighbourhood. The vision that the Official Plan has for that is to let it develop at around nine or 10 storeys,” Leiper told the Kitchissippi Times. “It’s a more human scale for streets that are intended to be more walkable.”
Nearby, plans for the former Granite Curling Club site are being reconfigured. While initial plans for the site at 2000-2026 Scott St. and 214-318 Athlone Ave. featured two 40-storey towers, the latest proposal from Colonnade BridgePort suggests three shorter towers instead.
The revised design includes 26- and 36-storey towers fronting Scott Street, and an 18-storey building situated behind. The total unit count remains approximately 857.
As part of Colonnade BridgePort’s broader $2-billion development pipeline, this flagship project is estimated to have a construction value in the range of $350 million to $425 million. Because the new configuration does not require rezoning, a council vote will not be required to move forward.
A third proposal near the future Kichi Zibi LRT station seeks to combine five properties at the north end of Winston Avenue into a 77,000-sq. m. development site.
The project, a partnership between Uniform Urban Developments, Hobin Architecture, and Fotenn Planning and Design, calls for two residential towers of 13 and 14 storeys. The development would add 312 units, with about one-third dedicated to three-bedroom “family-sized” homes.
Industry estimates place the construction value for this mid-to-high-rise project between $125 million and $155 million, reflecting the higher costs associated with larger family units and significant underground parking requirements (279 spaces).
The surge in Westboro development comes as the City of Ottawa implements a 3.6 per cent adjustment to development charges, effective April 1. According to the Statistics Canada Building Construction Price Index (BCPI), while material volatility has stabilized compared to the 2022-2023 period, persistent labour shortages in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades continue to drive wage premiums in the Ottawa market.
“Staying agile and tapping into real-time data will be key to navigating what’s ahead,” Colin Doran, Head of Development Advisory at Altus Group, noted in a recent 2026 market outlook, highlighting the complexity developers face with shifting trade policies and high construction costs.
