The master plan for light-rail for Ottawa was approved in 2008, and its approval, construction, the infamous 2016 sinkhole, and now the continuously delayed launch date have been the topics of conversation and speculation around offices and coffee shops for the past ten years.

We can all agree, something our beloved city desperately needs is better public transportation. Ottawa commuters to downtown are a strong breed that have braved many cold winters, cramped busses, and crowded Park N Ride lots. I hope it is about to get a whole lot better. Ottawa’s GM of Transportation Services has now projected the launch date to be in the first quarter of 2019.

How does this affect our real estate market?
Assuming that service is reliable, and LRT does in fact shave 5-15 minutes off commute times property values will rise in areas around major LRT stations. Renting and buying in the downtown core will likely become less affordable for the average person, but hopefully the LRT will ease the commute from neighbourhoods further out.
The rise in home prices around the stations and future stations will plateau at some point, and by then it is more of a question of the personal value of public transportation.

My father decided to buy our specific family home in Barrhaven in 1995 because he knew that talks were underway to build a major bus station right nearby - Strandherd Station. The project was completed in 2007. He has been happily walking over in all seasons and commuting to work downtown ever since. His house has also gone up in value, hard to say whether or not that has a direct correlation with the neighbourhood becoming less isolated and more popular with commuters. He was definitely ahead of the pack with a seriously long-term real estate goal.

Thankfully, we don’t have that much longer to wait, and there are some really interesting new build projects going up near some of the future phase 1 LRT stations within the next few years.

Available to purchase now!

Arthaus - 20 Daly Avenue
EQ Greystone Village (Condo towns + tower 1 & 2)

The Bowery - 255 Bay Street
Zibi - Chaudiere Island
Westboro Lofts - 1946 Scott Street
ReResidences - 101 Queen Street
The Residences at Island Park Drive - 1451 Wellington Street
Claridge Icon - Preston & Carling
Domicile - Corners on Main

Coming soon!

Echo Condos - 115 Echo Drive
Wellington West Lofts - 16 Hamilton Avenue
Domicile Westboro - 398-406 Roosevelt Avenue
Tamarack Norman - 101 Norman Street

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested in more details on specific neighbourhoods & projects.

LRT - On Track 201[9] & What It Means for Ottawa Real Estate