NCC gives Toronto developer the OK to build Canada’s largest net-zero residential project in Ottawa
A Toronto developer has been given the green-light to build the country’s largest zero-carbon residential project on a key parcel of land in downtown Ottawa.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced on January 20 that they had selected Dream LeBreton to develop the first phase of a project to transform the long-vacant LeBreton Flats site.
The agreement sees the NCC sell a 1.1-hectare parcel of land at 665 Albert Street, on the western edge of the city’s downtown core ,adjacent to the Pimisi O-Train station and the site of the city’s future central library building, to the developer for $30 million.
In return, Dream will work with local non-profit housing provider, Multifaith Housing Initiative, to build Canada’s largest zero-carbon residential development.
The developer’s plan for the site includes a pair of towers of 30 and 35 storeys that will feature more than 600 rental housing units. Of those, 130 will be owned by Multifaith Housing Initiative, and 117 will be owned by Dream LeBreton. More than 30 percent of the units will be accessible, and more than 40 percent will be affordable.
The buildings will be connected by a four-storey podium that features retail space, including a food retailer, café and health services, as well as on-site social programming run by the Dream Community Foundation, such as tutoring services, after-school programming, and adult skills classes.
The buildings themselves will draw on wastewater energy and solar power-generating systems, making the project the largest of its kind in the country to achieve net-zero certification. The developers are also aiming to earn LEED Gold certifications for new construction and neighbourhood development.
The project design team is led by KPMB Architects and Perkins & Will, supported by Two Row Architect and Purpose Building, with PFS Studio as the landscape architect, EllisDon as the construction manager, and Innovation Seven as the Indigenous engagement consultant.
“Our proposal for the LeBreton Flats Library Parcel is founded on our extensive experience building communities across Canada that are positive for society,” said Michael Cooper, founder of the Dream Group of Companies. “We look forward to continuing this tradition by providing desperately needed affordable housing, contributing to a healthier planet by building a zero-carbon community, and by creating inclusive neighbourhoods that provide a stronger sense of belonging for everyone. We welcome the partnership with NCC and CMHC, and will strive to continually innovate and create an even more desirable community as we develop this project.”
Dream, which also recently purchased the assets of the Zibi development that spans both sides of the Ottawa River, has committed to allotting half of the project contracts to vendors from the National Capital Region, as well as 15 percent to vendors that are at least 50 percent owned or managed by people from equity-seeking groups, including 5 percent of contracts to Algonquin and Indigenous businesses.
The NCC says it will work with Dream LeBreton to advance the development’s design, and address objectives related to the Master Concept Plan in coordination with the City of Ottawa’s review of the project.
The Library Parcel is the first development phase to be implemented from the LeBreton Flats Master Concept Plan approved by the NCC’s Board of Directors in 2021.
The commission chose Dream’s proposal from among three shortlisted bids.
“I am pleased with Building LeBreton’s momentum thus far in bringing to life an inspiring vision for a spectacular community in the heart of Canada’s Capital,” said NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum. “I commend all of the proponents for their participation in this vigorously competitive process and thank CMHC for their continued partnership. The selected team, Dream LeBreton, is now poised to build Canada’s most sustainably designed community at the Library Parcel.”
Pending final federal and municipal design and development approvals, Dream LeBreton aims to obtain building permits by the end of 2023, with the buildings ready for occupancy by early 2026.
Featured image: Photo of the current state of the Library Parcel development site at LeBreton Flats, a vacant 1.1-hectare parcel located at 665 Albert Street in Ottawa. (NCC)