Gatineau-based developer Brigil is preparing to begin construction “shortly” on a three-tower mixed-use project at the former Ottawa Greyhound terminal at 265 Catherine St., according to Ontario Construction News. The development will add 1,164 residential units across towers of 32, 34 and 36 storeys, creating substantial glazing and building envelope work for local contractors.
Key project details from Ontario Construction News and City of Ottawa planning documents include:
- Location: 265 Catherine St., former Ottawa Greyhound terminal
- Scale: 1,164 residential units across three towers (32, 34 and 36 storeys)
- Phasing: Phase 1 – a 32-storey tower with roughly 423 apartments; Phase 2 – 34- and 36-storey towers and seven townhouses, adding 741 units
- Parking: 667 vehicle spaces and 1,193 bicycle spaces
- Public space: minimum 20 per cent privately owned public space, including an approximately 1,000-sq. m. plaza
Project scope and phasing
The 2.8-acre property will be transformed into a high-density residential and commercial hub, according to City of Ottawa planning documents cited by Ontario Construction News. The approved project includes 1,164 residential units spread across three high-rise towers of 32, 34 and 36 storeys, anchored by two six-storey podiums and a block of three-storey townhouses facing Arlington Avenue.
Construction is planned in two phases, Ontario Construction News reported. Phase one starts with a 32-storey tower fronting Catherine Street that will deliver roughly 423 apartments. Phase two will follow with the 34- and 36-storey towers and seven townhouse units, adding the remaining 741 residential units. Suite layouts range from bachelors to three-bedroom units, and Brigil has indicated an intention to designate 100 units as affordable housing.
Transit-oriented design and public realm
Ottawa’s push for transit-oriented, 15-minute neighbourhoods is reflected in the site’s active transportation infrastructure. The development will feature a two-level underground garage with 667 vehicle parking spaces, a ratio Ontario Construction News noted is well below previous historical zoning maximums. It will also provide 1,193 bicycle parking spaces, more than double the city’s minimum requirement.
The project includes a minimum of 20 per cent privately owned public space, according to the city’s site plan approval report. That space will take the form of woonerf-style lanes, patios, gardens and an approximately 1,000-sq. m. public plaza at the northeast corner of the site, complete with a public washroom facility. Ground-floor commercial space is expected to house retail, restaurants and cafes to animate the streetscape.
Glazing and building envelope opportunities
While the source documents do not specify glazing systems, the scale and mix of the project point to substantial curtain wall, window wall and storefront scopes for Ottawa-area glazing contractors. Three residential towers with two commercial podiums will require large volumes of glazed facade, storefront systems at grade, and punched or window wall assemblies across the residential floors. The Ontario Construction News report does not list specific U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient or air leakage targets for this development.
While no glazing specifications have been released, the project's architectural form suggests several potential packages:
- Curtain wall at tower bases and podiums
- Window wall assemblies on residential floors
- Storefront systems for retail and restaurant spaces
- Glazing for townhouse units and amenity areas
At the podium level, commercial storefront systems with large lites of glass will define the retail and restaurant spaces expected to animate the streetscape. Above grade, window wall systems are common for residential towers in Ottawa, balancing cost, thermal performance and installation speed. Curtain wall assemblies may be used at the tower bases or amenity spaces, depending on final architectural drawings.
For Canadian glazing contractors, projects of this type typically need to meet Ontario Building Code provisions and CSA A440 / NAFS performance standards for fenestration products. Specific glazing specifications will likely be determined as detailed design and procurement move forward. The absence of published performance values in the planning documents means contractors will need to watch for project-specific requirements as construction packages are released.
For glazing contractors, the phased construction schedule means facade work will likely be split between the first tower and the subsequent two towers. That structure could create multiple procurement opportunities, though Ontario Construction News has not reported specific tender dates.
Brigil purchased the site in early 2021 and demolished the vacant bus station, which had operated there since the 1970s, the following year.
Code and performance considerations
In Canada, fenestration products for high-rise residential buildings must meet the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) and be referenced through applicable provincial building codes. Ontario contractors will also need to consider the Ontario Building Code's energy efficiency requirements, which can affect glazing selection and thermal performance. ENERGY STAR Canada certification may be relevant if developers pursue voluntary certification or incentive programs, though no such commitment is stated in the planning documents. The project's location in Ottawa means that cold-climate performance and condensation resistance will be important factors in glazing system selection, though no performance targets have been published.
Procurement outlook for Ottawa glazing contractors
The project's scale will likely attract interest from Ottawa's established curtain wall and window wall fabricators and installers, as well as firms from Gatineau and Montreal. Given the two-phase construction schedule, glazing packages could be tendered separately, allowing contractors to pursue one or both phases. Ontario Construction News has not reported whether the developer will use a design-assist procurement model or issue separate facade subcontracts. Those details are expected to emerge as construction begins.
Developer vision
Brigil vice-president of development Jessy Desjardins has highlighted the location’s potential to act as a bridge between the downtown core and the Glebe neighbourhood. He told the Ottawa Business Journal during planning stages that pursuing higher density allows for more economically viable commercial spaces.
“When we look at the post-pandemic economic revival, it’s going to be important that developers have a vision of encouraging local businesses to establish themselves,” Desjardins said. “By having a bit more density, it allows us to reduce the rents for those commercial spaces.”