1495 Heron Road

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PUBLIC LAND BANK

In an effort to address the increasing demand for much needed housing across the country, the Government of Canada has created a Public Land Bank mapping tool with the intent to identify available public lands across the country for future development. This tool highlights several Canada Lands Company properties that will be utilized to provide housing where it’s needed most, including the 1495 Heron Road Site 1 parcel of 7.28-hectares (18-acres). The Site 1 parcel at 1495 Heron Road will enable up to 760 housing units including affordable housing.  

PROPERTY BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The property is in Alta Vista Ward and is close to amenities, transit, parkland, and greenspace areas. The site is bound to the south by Heron Road, to the west by St. Patrick High School, and to the east by single-family residential dwellings. Its exterior includes ample surface parking spaces and two tennis courts.

The site was originally designed and developed by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame in the 1960s, and then purchased by the Government of Canada in 1973 to be used as the Federal Study Centre. In 2020, Canada Lands Company purchased the site and, with the help of the community, is creating a master plan to guide how it will be redeveloped.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Engagement with the community and stakeholders on the future of this site has been a priority and began online in March 2021. The feedback received from the first phase of this engagement can be viewed under the "Related Documents" portion of this page. 

This initial online engagement saw 450 respondents identify five key themes: (1) community amenities, (2) heritage conservation, (3) low and mid-rise residential development, (4) affordability, and (5) sustainability and open space. These key themes are now considered as the guiding principles for the redevelopment of 1495 Heron Road. 

DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS

Engagement with the community and stakeholders continued on February 10, 2022, with a virtual workshop where 150 participants shared comments on four options, we invite you to watch a video of the workshop presentation. 

On April 13, 2022, the public was invited to take part in a 2-hour webinar on the draft preferred concept. An online questionnaire was also available to gather feedback on the preferred draft concept. 

The final report from this phase of engagement is available. 

CURRENT STATUS

Canada Lands Company is beginning work on the site. In October 2024, a contractor was tasked with the interior work on the site’s buildings. This includes remediation work and the removal of old construction materials. It is anticipated that the contractor will also deconstruct three of the thirteen buildings, please refer to the aerial map found in the below gallery. An important aspect of the 1495 Heron Road redevelopment is the comprehensive heritage plan created as the property has been an important part of the Ottawa community for decades. The plan intends to repurpose all or part of the nine buildings, which is not a common occurrence in this sector of the city to recognize the heritage value of buildings at this level. Canada Lands expects City approval of this plan in October 2024.

The Canada Lands team continues to work through municipal approvals, including the Zoning By-law Amendment application set to appear before the Committee and Council in late October 2024. Focus will then be put towards marketing the redevelopment in search of builders who will help bring the plan to life. 

To view the final overall plan and submit feedback for 1495 Heron Road, please visit the City of Ottawa’s website.