Ottawa Construction News Staff Writer
A significant high-rise intensification project is being proposed for Ottawa’s east end, as Stan Bernard Automotive Ltd. seeks to transform a low-rise commercial site into a 30-storey mixed-use tower.
The developer has submitted Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Ottawa to redevelop a nearly one-acre (0.39-hectare) site at 1052, 1060, and 1064 St. Laurent Blvd. The properties, currently occupied by an auto body shop, a restaurant, and a two-storey commercial building, are located just north of the St. Laurent Shopping Centre and the St. Laurent O-Train station.
The proposed development, designed to leverage its proximity to the Confederation Line LRT, features:
- Total height: 30 storeys, including a six-storey podium.
- Residential units: 401 dwelling units, with a mix ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.
- Commercial space: Ground-floor retail/commercial components designed to enhance the St. Laurent “Mainstreet” corridor.
- Parking: A three-level underground parking garage providing 231 vehicle spaces and 337 bicycle parking spots.
According to planning documents filed by the applicant, the existing one- and two-storey buildings will be demolished to accommodate the new high-density footprint.
The tower’s design includes a six-storey podium that integrates three ground-floor residential units and a breezeway for vehicle access to the underground parkade. The planning rationale, prepared in support of the application, emphasizes the project’s role in urban intensification.
“The proposed development meets the goal of intensification by concentrating residential, commercial and employment uses within a single footprint and achieving density through vertical form on a well-serviced site,” the document states.
The site sits in a transitional zone between the high-traffic St. Laurent retail hub and a low-rise residential neighborhood to the west. Proponents argue the project aligns with the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan, which encourages high-density, transit-oriented development (TOD) near major transit stations and along arterial corridors.
The application highlights that the development will contribute to the local economy by “introducing new residential units, employment opportunities, and commercial activity within a consolidated development.”
The site is strategically located near Highway 417 and several community amenities, including Ogilvie North Park. Currently, the surrounding area is a mix of light industrial, low-rise shopping plazas, and supermarkets.
The City of Ottawa is currently reviewing the applications under file number D01-01-26-0003. If approved, the project will mark one of the tallest additions to the St. Laurent Boulevard skyline to date.
